Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-02-10
The Southern Conference.

We had hoped that the events of the last
three months would leave Virginia united
as one man upon this subject. We had
fondly believed that the necessity for con-
certed action, for purposes of self-defence,
on the part Of all the Southern States, would
be readily acknowledged by all. We had
commenced to congratulate ourselves that
the conservatism, which has degenerated in
to systematic lukewarmness for the honor
and interests Of the South, and of utilization
with the most bitter enemies of our section.
was forever silenced, if not annihilated, in
Virginia; and we believe that such results
Of paramount good would have flown from
the Harper's Ferry raid, could it have been
possible to expel from the arena the foul de-
mon Of party What we would ask South
ern men, can be the objection to peaceable
conference of the Southern States upon the
state of the country, and to devise the best
means for preserving the Union as our faith
er's framed it? 1t isquite mistake to sup
pose that this Conference is intended to be
preparatory step to going out of the Union.
Such purpose is expressly disclaimed by
Mr.. Memminger, the Commissioner from
South Carolina.
We hope our Legislature will accept the
invitation extended to Virginia by her sis
ter State, for, besides the necessity for con-
certed action, which the threatening atti-
tude of affairs devolves upon us. we owe pc
culiar courtesy to the gallant State from
which the invitation TO this conference first
officially emanates.
On another occasion, Virginia took the
lead, and pledged her faith to South Caro-
lima to stand true to her in certain emer-
gency that emergency arrived South Car
DINA CALAMITY met and defed it; Virginia
as Virginian we blush to say it-Vir-
ginia ANONYMOUSLY, and to her everlasting
disgrace, backed down from her position,
and left her noble sister to stand alone
This blot, while it remains on the escutch-
con of Virginia, forever estops her from ar
rogating to herself the pre-eminence in chiv-
airy and honor, which the Union, before,
had agreed to award to her.
For the information of our readers, and
that they, one and all, may know the shame
of their native State, and unite in wiping it
out, we publish the resolutions of the Vir-
ginia Legislature in 1849:
Resolved, That we regard the passage of
law by the Congress of the United States,
abolshing slavery or the slave trade in the
distsict of Columbia, as direct attack up
on the institutions of the Southern States, to
be resisted at every hazard.
Resolved, That in the event of the pass.
age by congress Of the Wilmot proviso, or
any law abolishing slavery OR the slave trade
in the District Of Columbia, the governor of
this Commonwealth is requested immediate-
~ to convene the Legislature of this State
(if it shall have adjourned,) to consider of
the mode and measure of redress
South Carolina again responded and de-
clared that the time for action had come,
and she was not mistaken, for the following
law passed both Houses Of Congress the meet
gear:
cit shall not be lawful to bring into the
District of Columbia any slave whatever, for
the purpose Of being placed in depot to be
subsequently transferred to any other State
or place to be sold as merchandise and if
snch slave be brought into the said district
by its owner, or by the authority or consent
of its owner contrary to the provisions of
this act, such slave shall thereupon become
liberated and free"
Thus was the issue raised upon which
Virginia and South Carolina had-xlaasod
ting