Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-01-27

| the federal Union. INuW, ciI, d5Sutut IL
the commencement Of this argument, wha
no man within the sound Of my voice viii
question or deny, that whether it be goot
or whether it be evil, whether it be mod
fled curse or an absolute blessing, the insti
tuition Of African slavery has become SC
thoroughly interviewer in the framework Of
our society7-so thoroughly identified with
our resources, agricultural, manufacturing
or commercial that any policy which threat
ems. its existence or, impairs its efficiency
must necessarily prove fatal to the peace anc
to the prosperity of the Southern people,, Re;
lnoye laboring population three millions
from community in which the iuexorable
law of climate renders their presence indis-
pensable, and desolation would !, cover the
face Of the fairest land over which the lavish
band Of QmnipQtcnce has ever scattered the
botnties Of nature. Destroy the. principle
of subordinatiop which subjects the will o.
the inferior to the intellect of the superior
race, by placing them as equals in the same
society, and ruin as universal as that which
now broods over tie deserted groves of Hayti
or sits in the crumbling villas Of San Do
mingo must necessarily ensne Here, then,
is the point at which necessity leaves con-
cilietiop no choice, Territorial Sovereign
ty loses its interest. Congressional inter
vention is dwarfed into utter insigni6cauce
in the presence of subject which presents
no question Of peace or Of war;-no alterna-
tive Of submission or resistance, but the Vi
tai issues of life or death. The next step
in the argument, therefore, presents the in
duiry, does the present aspect Of Federal
politics threaten the security of African sla-
very within tie jurisdiction of the several
States : Adopting in the discussion of this
question, the only test of accuracy which
oommends itself to a national mind, reason
ing from the past and the present to the flu
ture, shall endea7er to show that tie ad
nlinistration of the Federal government, by
sectional agents and upon sectional princi-
pies, must, necessarily. SO far enfeeble the
energies and impair the efficiency of that in
stirutlon as to make it an rinmitigated curse
to the people of the South 1t must be re-
membered that the abolition Of slavery ,socn-
er or later, by means direct Or Indirect, is
| the ultimate object of that formidable organ
ization known as the Republican party
Any difference of opinion that may have
arisen among its members refers exclusive
ly to the adoption of the wisest means for
the accomplishment of a common Object
While one school is clamorous for the inter-
yentlon of the pike, the faggot and the rifle
the other, more moderate in its tone, if
not less vindictive in its temper, suggests
means quite as eficacious, although not
50 startling to the moral sense Of, mankind.
Encircle. the slave States with wall OF liz
ing fire--prOhibit the transportation of slaves
from one State to another-extiuguish the
servile relation in the District of Columbia,
in the dock yards and arsenals-reform the
Judiciary. purify the Executive-in a word
throw the immense power of the federal gov
eminent into the scale against this doomed
institution, until the South finding it a. cloak
for her weakness, and net a covering for
her defence, shall be compelled to abandon
the system or permit it like the Inflated tn
mic Of the Grccian demigod to drive its sub
tie poison through all the arteries Of her So
eal life, are SOME ST tie fea6eable means
by which modern philanthropy aims to ac-
Gym biish all the ends of abolition Here,
then, on the one hand is clearly defined
object. On the other, party powerful in
numbers defiant in temper-willing con-
verts to the doctrine Of an irresistible artag-
onism between this obstacle in its path, and
the perpetuation of it's own rule-blind wor
shippers at the shrine of an idolatry which
teaches that there is an obligation more sa-
cred than the pledges of written constitu-
ton, standing within easy reach of the
sceptre which completes the insignia of its
power.
;. And ,Eere, Sit, might pause and claim
that the argument is finished At this
point, relying upon these two facts alone,
might take my srand. land challenge all his
tory to exhibit single instance III which
power unlimited vested in such hands has
not been power abused. The records Of ell
time, from the hyerogly phics of Egypt down
to the present hour teach but one lesson,
that Despotism is the common end OF all
arbitrary power. And the moment sec
tional party acquires the possession of the
federal government, that instant your con
atitutioh loses its balance and your govern
ment becomes unlimited in its character
| say unlimited its character, because. the
theory Of all limited. goYe-nmsnt proceeds
upon the superstition that every important
interest IN che state is invested through the
ba.lot-box with the means Of peaceably pro-
tecting itself Now, in reference to the or
binary subjects of legislation, the interests
of different localities are SO closely allied,
that the accumulation Of powers in TIE hands
of particular section, IS comparatively
harmless. 1t is, however, one of the pecu
liar features of African slavery that. chose
directly interested in its operations are con-
fined entirely to one portion Of the Union
and, wherever a sectional party protesting
hostility to lis existeHpe succeeds, to, .the
powers of the general government. the slave
owner holds tie tenure to his federal pro-
lection of that interest solely at his will and
pleasure. 1t is no answer to this argument
to say that the CONNER cial welfare of the
North DEFENDS upon tho Agricultural pros
per;ty Of tie South For the practical ques-
ton presenting itself i, not what IS, but
what the majority believes to be its interest
And if the mere act by which it is elevated
to power conveys the necessary implication !
that such party is willing. to sacrifice its
SUPPOSED interest in this subject. it is i'm |
nsossssible to resist the conclusion that slavery
IS entirely at the mercy Of its enemies
The day therefore, which witnesses Re-
publican ADMINISTRATION enthroned upon the
wreck of conservative feeling, beholds you