Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1860-09-22

the Yalue OF each slave would be affected by
the absence of such Legislation, and what
would be the difference in the value when
held vi ithout it, and when held under the
laws Congress might pass. i viii not inquire
what sum of money would measure the pres
ent value Of an interest dependent upon so
many possibilities think that an insurance
corporation for S2a, 600, paid to them now,
might prudently engage to indemnity, for the
next hundred years, all who would suffer loss,
from this cause, to the full extent of any ac-
tual injury
The question, then, cannot be considered
important In, mere pscuniary point of view.
In its higher rsiatiol as involving denial
of Justice and eohsd dtutional right, no one has
defendea 1tI66re seale5Esly than myself I
have toldsyoa that defended it alone, whom
all else seemed to haze sylrrendered it and
it is because would not, and will not aban-
don it, that wish it to remain under the safe
guard of constitutional guarantees, and not
made the sport of Presidential politics.
If was opposed to connecting this ques-
ton with the issues of the Democratic party,
am still more opposed to the organization
upon this basis, OF a new party IN opposition
to the Democratic party The new party may
retain the distinctive features of the Demo
cratic party, in other respects; but its chief
anu IetuluS5 UUJSCG 10 W plOCIto tne dSCSpG-
ance of this doctrine of protection; and it can
not be denied that, because of it, it has sepa-
ratcd from the Democratic party, as hereto
fore organized, and is now opposing it.
From this separation / see no justification,
and hardly an excuse. 1t seems to be con-
dcmned by the whole people of Virginia, for
even the friends of Mr.. Breckinridge have
publicly approved the course of the Virginia
delegates and they, it will be remembered,
refused to consent to the separation. If they
afterwards connected themselves with tho Sc
ceding members, it appears tohaye been from
some discomfort at the settlement of certain
claims to seats in the Convention. They
doubtless supposed these points of difference
we're enormously settled; and whether they
were or not, it would be little profitable to
enquire.
But they demand the Disruption of that great
historic party, whose successes have been re-
hected, for SO many ye4rs, from the pages of
our statute books Did they justify the dan
gers to the Union, which these gentlemen be-
lieve will attend the election of Mr.. Lincoln
now, by these very acts, rendered so probable?
Must the peace. Tire happiness, the safety of
the American people, yield to the superior
claims Of aggricved Contestants of seats in a
nominating Convention
We have maintained, for some years past,
fierce controversy with the Republican par
ty, upon issues relating to slavery. 1t has
now penetrated our own organism; separating
and ostranging it, members. The truth is,
both 9Uarfels reJe aess,ssaer 10 speculative diff
ferences Of opinion, than to evils or dangers,
Of which thSe is any well founded apprehen-
sion. | allule Of course, to evils and dan
gers resulting from federal Legislation. And
yet the guard has never been fcreor than
now The explanation must be sought, not
in history, butin psychology; tits, that there
has never been so little TO quarrel about
Since the estaH Hishmeut of the Republican
party, the obieit proclaimed as the bond OF
their association, has been pronounced, by the
highest Judicial authority, to have been placed
beyond their reach by the constitution
We might we'll then, have been tranquilized
by this assurance of our safety; and even
those who think it prudent to trust the de-
fence of sIaveryto u political party, should
have confessed The wisdom of mountaineering
the Democratic party, upon its ancient Prin-
ciples and measures. This opinion express
ed in Congress Dme years ago.
But instead OF dong so, we have only been
moro ingenious IN deyising, and more impor-
tunate in exactirg, new tests of Democratic
orthodoxy, in s0ne of the many relations of
the slavery question. Has there been moth
ing in all this, of willingness to perpetuate
discord rather than to restore harmony? Is
there no latent purpose to throw the South
ern mind into state Of morbid irritability;
that would make disunion possible, IT not
easy much fear there is. l am sure the
Virginia members had no such purpose, and
were moved by 70 such feeling Perhaps,
indeed some of them exhibited more COM
pacent willingness to adapt their course to
II ~ L, nIE Akvnr
approved could wish, at least, that they
had adhered to their objections to the pro-
posed additions to tho creed of the party.
That there is purpose to accomplish the
destruction of the present Union, have
much reason to fear. How extensive it may
be, have no means of knowing. Most of
those who are parties to this design, would
withdraw from the Union, at once;-not for
what may be, but for what has been, and now
is. They complain that we are not har-
monious and homogeneous people. fear
they have never eempFnhenaed tha Gublitas
philosophy of our. national Union. we
never have been, and never can be homo
geneous peple. 1t is because We are not
homogeneous people that our Union was
formed. 1t is a Union-a Confederation OF
NATIONS. each controlling the customs and
social habitudes of its own people. and all to-
Sether oidaining grand system of free trade
and international intercourse, and pledging
reciprocal protection against foreign and do
mestic violence Hadwe been one people
one in climate aud production, in manners
and opinion, in interest and pursuit, in reli-
eion and social relation, cur present Union
Union could never have been formeG
Butt is feared the Covenant of this Union
may be broken A ruthless majority may
tran,ple upon this constitution. A shbser
Went Senate and unscrupulous House of Rep
resentatiyes, encouraged and supported by
dishonest President, nldy snap asunder thc
oaths that bind them to theirs duty, and throw
down the guarantees that hedge our safety.
An obsequious judiciary gsgg refuse to raise use
tIlti WIN come the dread realization Of 0ur
dismal forebodings