Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-12-27
Non.IntercOurse.


:, 1t has become an Interesting and serious CUES
ton, whether the Southern people should not
adont a system of non-ntercOurSe with the
North. We regard it as the great practical
Question of the present crisis. The Ns0 f0rE
Observer. one of the ables and soundest OF the
conservative papers in the Union, denouncessuch
proposal as weak and fanatical and denies that
there is anything to justify it in the public SEN
timent of the North. The same excellent jour
nal, blinded perhaps by its own ardent patriot
ism, insists that the fanatics in the Free States
are very small body, and seeks to comfort and
concilate US by the assurance that large ma
iority of the people are our cordial friends. If
this was clearly made out, we would be last to
advocate q general system of non-intereourse.-
But what are the facts2.
1t is true, no doubt, that very small number
of respectable people can be found, anywhere,
who would dare ojustify the enterprise of John
Brown. The number of sach persons Is not the
question. The true question is, how many Of
the northern people regard the negro race as
0justly held ia slavery! Ifa majority Of them
are known to think and feel thus, so long ss such
sentiment continues to prevail, there will be
practical fanatics, like Brown, sufficiently nu-
merous to endangar the social state of the South
and the integrity Of the Union.
The true question, we repeat, is how many OF
the Northern people entertain the opinion, that
the Southern negroes are etnjustly held in slave
ry2 Now, we are by no means sure that the
conservative presses, pulpts aud mass-meetings
of the large commercial cities, are unGniaoH,
on this point. They clearly admit that they
have no right to interfere directly, with our
domestic institutions. So far, so good, but there
is not the same elearness in regard to their o.
pinions of the relation itself 1t is certain, how
ever, that public sentiment at the North, as
generally expressed by their ecclesiastical bodies,
their benevolent associations, and their political
combinations, condemns slave-holding as thing
too bad to be tolerated anywhere within their
jurisdiction. Is it not 500 Is not this the gen.
eral sentiment expressed or implied in theiP as
ISOLATED acton2 Besides, the Constitution pro-
vides for the rendition of fugitiVes from labor;
but it is matter of historical notoriety that the
Northern population manifest very little zeal
for the execution of this part of the compact, and
in some of the States the Legislatures have even
endesvored to obstruet its fulfllment. From
such evidence as this we cannot reject the infer
ence, that Northern sentiment condemns slave
holding in the South as iniquitous and oppress-
i've, and so long as this is the case we may look
continually for actual aggression, on the part OF
men who plausi6ly infer, that ii cannot be gsry
wrong to overturn a system, which is generally
considered uurighteOus and cruel by majority
of their countrymen
What then is the remedy A man hGbitnally
denounces his neighbor, over the way, as bad
man. He does not approve of an unsuccessful
attempt to cut his throat but still he considers
him bad man, q Gerry bad man, indeed He
deals with him, but he cannot associate with
him on terms of equality. He tells him so to
his face, but endeayors to reconcile him to this
relation, by assuring him that she had nothing
to do with the late attempt at assassination"
No, she highly disapproves of the assassination
of neighbor, though he as a very bad man"
Such we consider to be the course of conduct
pursued bys majority of the Northern people
towards their Southern fellow citizens. What is
the remedy2 The so called "bad man" if he
maintains proper self-respeck and is at the
same time peaceably disposed, does not usually
attack his neighbor in the street with blud-
geop, or call him to the field, or endeavor to yex
him by pretending to be worse than he is. He
does not abuse him at the top Of his voice, and
placard him Us calumnator and coward. lie
does not scowl upon him in the street and refuse
to recognize him. No, he maintains calm dig
nifty of demeanor, he observer the little courte-
sizes Of civilized society, and speaks to him po-
htey when they chance to meet. But there is
one thing he does not feel bound to do. He does
not feel called upon to visit his neighbours store
and deal with hila st the counter. He will have
no business transactions with him, for the pre-
sent, but viii wait for better times.
We have thus sought to point out, by Illus
tration, the principle upon which we may resort
to q temporary nou-intercourse with our North
ern fellow-citizens. What right have they to
complains They have no right to our money,
or our produce, and ought not to handle that
which, according to them has been so unjustly
acquired. Non-intercourse violates no obligs
ton of the federal compact it aims no blow at
the integrity of the Union. 1t simply expresses
in a sensible and convincing manner our pro-
found disapprobation of the course pursued by
Northern people, and our determination to pre-
serve, az the Union, manly and dignifed atti-
tude of independence. 1t is apology in harmo-
ny with religion, reason, nature and patriotism.
1t trenches on no mans rights, and does not e.
ven imply Insult or disrespect. OF all remedies
it is the one least offensive in its aspect and most
effectua in It's influence.
Western Lunatic Asylum.
We have received a copy of the Report of the
President and Directors and the Superintendent
of this Institution, from which we learn that 1t
10 in q most nrDSDarOnS condition in all its de-