Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-12-09
PUBLISHED DAILY AND TRI WEEKLY BY
EDGAR SN0WDEN.
ALEXANDRIA,:
FRIDAY MORNING, Dxc.MnxR .. 1859.

lI Is EVERY WAY PROPER that the people
Of the North, and especially those Of them
favorable 10 the maintenance of the Union,
and the preservation OF the Constitution,
should know the actual state Of feeling at
the South. induced by recent events. not
among Dsunionists. Nullifsrs, or Secession
lists. hut among the large maiorty-;he mass
the Conservative portion Of the cnmmuni-
u. They will then see not only that We
have fallen upon evil times, but that the
peace oi the country Is IN pera-that DIS
trust OF the North extensively prevuils-that
the public mind is soured and angr!y--and
that the "sacred ties" which now bind the
country together, are in danger OF being
snapped and sundercd. Knowing and see
ing all this. they will also see, that II de
ponds upon them. in great measure. by
their future action, to determine whether
this shall 90 on to total alienation, or
whether amicable and friendly relations
shall be restored, and the Union become. in
truth and in reality. what it should he, aud
what il was intended to be, a bond Of aztec
ton AS well as interest; and not mere
union in name-dead to all practical pur-
poses.
1t will not do to say, ut the outset you
have put yourselves in passion about moth
ng--and there is no real cause for bringing
things to the issue you present. The facts
override such objection. Sober. quiet, order
loving people, vitality interested in the Union,
looking upon it as Washington looked upon
it, aud regarding it hitherto with reverence
and love, do nat. as b. such matter, put
themselves in a passion about nothing" or
willingly yield TO any clamor calculated to
precipitate that which they depreratc. The
reasons must be grave, indeed, which can
induce them 10 avert their gaze from, or
turn cold eve. upon the Union OF the
States. Not 10 continue, however, discus
sion OF the causes which have led TO the ac-
,uul condition Of affairs, causes which we
have detailed. and commented upon, hither-
a. as they have occurred, lei ~ inquire what
that condition is.
A case in point presents itself, which We
ntfer to the sober consideration OF honest and
right thinking men at the North, and which
we use, because We know the parties promi-
nent in the proceedings, and the people con-
eerned in them.
There was recently meeting held IN
Westmoreland County in this State: aCoun-
~, quiet. orderly, and with a intelligent a
population AS any within the borders OF tn"
Commonwealth They have ever been free
from undue excitements are emphat'caliy u
nnion-loving people-have not joined in IN
necessary aenunciations Of the Nnrth-and
have been disposed to pour oil upon the tr"u
hted waters Of sectional strife. rather than
assist in lashing them into fury. AT tins
meeting, Lawrence Washington presided.
and j. b. Jett was Secretary-both c"nscr-
,atiye citizens An able and eloquent paper
was presented BY George W. Lcwis--"ne Of
the best and most intelligent men in the
State, sminently consera ti,e--a union-man
which was adopted by the meeting, and
endorsed as expressing its views. after ma
lure deliberution. In that paper. II was DE-
,.lared that the people Of Westm"reland had
been among those who have constantly cher
i-hed the most hopeful sentiments that
whilst they had seen and censured the rrlm-
iual errors Of some at the North, they had al
ways endeayored to distinguish the tanatl,
cal abolitionist from the patriot and the
statesman; and that whilst they never pal
lated the conduct, or excused the principles
aud opinions Of the former, they still hoped
and believed they were comparatively 70" III
number. and harmless Tor mischief; that
they were and are devoted 10 the Union ~
unr fathers formed it. and were most reluc-
rant to believe that any thing could disturb
much less rend it aSunder. And set what
did this meeting. composed OF such men a.
we have mentioned. and Garnett, Blackwell,
Beale. Mayo. and others Of like mind and
opinions. and expressing the sentiments we
have Quoted-what We say, did such meet
ing propose and adopt as redress OF grie''
ances. Let us see
"First--We will adopt u strict non intercourse
in trade and commerce with the citizens and mer
chants Of all non slnyeholding States. We viii
neither sell to them any article Of the growth o.
manufacture Of our State--or bay from them OF
consume any article OF the growth or mannis'tur'
ii their States
Second We will cease 10 travel smonsst them
or visit them. except upon tho most urgent ah'
uuay oidable business.
Third-.Ws will employ no lahorers ar me'hnl'r'
from the North.
Fourth-We will arrest aud send "ni OF tho
State. in the most summary manner. all iinernn
,.uders Of Northern books, newspapers, period
.als. or any other article of Northern growth o.
manufacture; aud all persons VIII" are suspected
Vi anti-slayery opinions u sympathieS, or whc
cannot give precise and true account OF them
solves, as engaged in lawful business. We will rea
- Migrants and iucendiaries.
Now, we will not stop to inquire or discuss
the question. whether these recommendation
,re right and proper or whether they should