Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-12-28
ICON MCSICATED


do not share in the apprehension. of this
great confederation of States being broken
up-the public peace disturbed, and the
Union dissolved. by the wicked and blood
thirsty acts of the late John Brown. Brown
was not morally brave, but desperado-
nor did be expect To die under the sallows,
when he went 10 llarper's Ferry--nor can
they ever make Il martyr of him. \ truly
brave man would scorn To shed innocent
blood unless forced to do So but he volun-
tarily did, and he has received his just re-
ward. Slender. indeed, must he the golden
chain, which has encrcled Us for nearly a
century AS 4 happy and powerful nation. if
old John Brown and his contemplate and
daboliral acts, could break il asunder. The
people of the North. Notwithstanding the
bad conduct Of many of their number, are
our countrymcn-manvo Of them friends and
relations. and although the evil genius of IN
i'll advised moment may have hurried some
of them into momentary crimes and excuses,
nevertheless, we have II right to hope that
their second sober thoughts will correct
these gross and palpable wrongs. They are
"a calculating people, business people-a
money making, and IA money-i"cimg people,
and when these matters are put III Jeopardy,
"a new spirit will come over their dream.
In my humble Judgment, the true position Of
Virginia is now simply sELr-DEfEScE-and
if her Legitimate rights are invaded, that IS
her proper remedy, being the first Law Of
Nature.
She has never invaded the lawful rights Of
others, and 10 defend her own, the God of
Justice will surely crown her efforts with
signal success But we need not. after what
has just passed, think, apprehend 'inva-
sion" from the North--it wants our trade
and custom. and not persistence in mea-
sures which may deprive them OF both. Ii
would really seem, therefore, that no en-
barge il necessary; but simply to keep quiet,
10 manufacture rs much as we can, 10 buy
and sell at home "a far as we can. and to i'm
port goods, as we once did, from England.
France, Germany, the East and West Indies,
instead of purchasing them from the North
ern merchants. What is to prevent it? At
present, we pay heavy transit duty to the
North-ths, Of course. would be saved by a
direct importation from the countries above
named, consequently u clear saving OF the
transit duty, and wh-h duty has tended in
great degree, to build up, and enrich the
Northern cities at our expense. If we can
pay for goods imported or purchased by US
from the North, what prevents our paving
for goods imported directly from the manu-
tacturers7 The writer well remembers when
Alexandria imported her merchandise from
the countries here named, and that she did
"a large and profitable business. The port of
Norfolk il just rs open through the winter
as the port of New York; and the ~bois
SouM can and ought to import their own
goods without the slightest dependence Oh
our Northern neighbors. Only imagine the
wealth and resources of the South her Cot
ton. Tobacco. Flour. Wheat Rye, Corn.
Hemp. Plax, Whisky. Brandy, Butter, Lard,
her vast mines Of Gold and Silver. Iron.
Coal, Lead, Copper. and the best Timber in
the world for Ship building. Are not all
these valuable productions. and precious
metals good, and solid capital, and with
them the Northern merchants have hereto
fore been paid. 1t is. therefore. highly All
surd to suppose that we could not import and
pay for goods directly imported from Europe
and elsewhere. and yet pay the Northern
merchant for .nrh goo,is "iM M'u p,oft& al
de,i The right of ssce>&ion is very ques-
tionable, and great, Doubt It's practicable
itv The people seem 10 cling a. they ought.
tn the CoSsrlrrTIoN, ~ the ark of their safe
". and thereon should we all firml y rely.
PEACE.