Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-12-07
The Fjllibuster Spirit.

II "a known to our readers that the Collector
Of Customs at Mobile, Alabama, in pursuance OF
instructions from Washington, has refused "a
clearance" to the vessel which was about TO
leave that port with party of Walkers Nioara-
ous semigrsnts." When the decision OF the
Executive was divulged at Mobile, according to
telegraphic and newspaper reports an intense
populsr excitement arose on the subject. The
Mobile Register, leading Democratic paper
threatened the Administration with the mosf
serious consequences, and even intimateo that
the Government might be overthrown. Inc
course pursued by the President, it said, is one
of "the signs which indicate that there is no
hope for US of the South except in the last resort
of q wronged and injured people" Was ever
ANYTHING more absurd What has the South to
do with Walker and bis Fillibusters2 Their en-
terprise is heralded as great Southern move
meut for the extension of slavery, but is really
piraticsl undertaking from which the South can
gain neither strength nor credit. Indeed, moth
ing tends more to injure our cause than these
successive attempts to unite it with the fortunes
of disreputable men and measures. The slave
holders of the South-the men who have an In
terest st stake--sre satisfied with the institution
as it exists. They are content If slavery Is per
mitted to remain where il is, and go where the
inhabitants of country choose to introduce IT,
But few restless spirits are ever ready to take
ND any scheme, however dishonest and laWless,
and urge 1t in the name of the South, provided
they can advance themselves by it. The idea OF
dissolying the Union because the President has
interposed to prevent the departure OF set o.
Filibusters, is supremacy ridiculous. The course
of the President in this particular is right sn0
patriotic, and will be approved and sustained BY
all law-abiding citizens North and South.
The Mobile journal also assails Judge Camp
bell. of the United States Supreme Court for bis
interference with the Fillibusters. The Judge
having ordered special term of the Cireul
Court at Mobile on the 2Sth ult., the Register
suspects that he "desres to embsrrsss the pro
posed emigration from the Southern States tt
Nicaragua 1t reminds him that he twas pu
upon the bench through the influence OF th'
Southern, Rights Democracy" and SHOULD carr!
out the principles he proposed before his eleva
ton to office" 1t warns him also "that Their
is a point beyond which the patience OF the PEG
pie will not permit even judicial magistrate t.
90. There are limits beyond which it is no
safe for any man, no matter what his position
to 90 in his hostility to Southern extension ant
Southern institutions" This indecent assault
upon the Judiciary is entirely appropriate in tn
connection in which it appears, but will excite
the Indignation of all right-thinking men. Judg
Campbell, when appointed to the bench, wa
regarded as the representative of the dltra-South
eru secession Fillibuster faction, and his eeya
ton was viewed with some apprehension. d
has, however, molly vindcated his reputation q
an upright Judge, and furnished another proc
of the value of an Independent tenure for to-
Office which he holds We rejoice that he doe
not hold his office at the hands Of the Filhbus
tiers or any other faction, that he has the honest
and frmness to discharge his duty, and that b
viii be backed by the whole power OF the Gen
eral Government.