Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-02-03

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cause OF their commerce, and just in pro-
portion to its extent has been their growth
Let any one analyze the mnltifarious
operations Of commerce and they will see
how it lengthens, widens and deepens.-
Here capital yields heavy profit and draws
lin its train thousands of well paid laborers.
Take, for instance, the profits which were
lost to Virginia on the $41, 1854, 900 worth
goods reported by the Auditor to have
been sold in the State within the last two
years, at 20 per ccntum, would give 49,
230. 800. The same per centum upon the
exports with which goods were bought,
would double that amount Add thereto
the charges for the transhipmcnt of the ex-
ports and imports, which are paid into North
ern hands and to Northern profit, and you
will have sum about equal to the per cent
age upon the capital, making an aggregate
loss to the State in two years ofabout $780,
900. 0OO If this statement approximates
the truth, it will at once be seen what an
immense sum Virginia pays to others to do
that which she can do for herself
The effect of $50, 900, 600 saved to the
State bi-ennially upon her wealth, power,
and influence would be immense Her riv-
ers, canals and railroads are reaching out
their mighty arms to embrace not only her
own trade, but large portion of Kentucky,
Tennessee and North Carolina
We will not dwell upon the advantages to
be derived from the establishment of
a center Of trade at home, by which the
large sums which are annually paid on North
ern exchange would be saved to the State.
The hints which have been given are sufi-
Gent to show the immense Importance of
the subject. Let prompt action be imme-
diately taken to redeem the State from her
commercial thraldom, before the Spring
trade commences.
May we not appeal with confidence to the
Intelligent and patriotic merchants of the
State, who perhaps enjoy greater inAu-
ence, as class, than any other, to take the
lead in this important measure They will
rid themselves of much inconvenience, ans
noyance and expense by buying at home
and IN the consequent prosperity of the State,
will lay the foundation for greatly in
creased and more prosperous business.
Notification of the Fugitive Slave
Law.
While the country is being agitated from
center to circumference by the John Brown
raid. the underground railroad, the s'irre-
pressble conflict, &c., the Southern press
and people seem to have overlooked, or ST.
lently acquiesced in, the most fragrant viola
ton of the Constitution and good faith be-
tween the States, that has ever been perpe-
trated since the formation of this Govern
ment
Congress, carrying out the provision of
the Constitution, has passed law making it
incumbent upon each State of tie Union to
render back to the master any slave who
may have escaped from service. It is evil
dent that without such law the slavehold-
ing States could not, with safety, continue
longer in the Union. and it is equally self
evident that unless this just provision Of
the Constitution is carried out in good faith,
the South must, in self defence, withdraw
from the Confederacy, and seek that pro-
lection for her property which the Union
does not give Has that law. made in &C.
cordance with an expressed provision Of the
Constitution, been carried out in good faith
by the Northern States of this Union p
Our answer is to be found on the statute
book of at least three of the Northern States;
and the recent case of Myers, who was tried
in Pennsylvania for kidnapping, shows that
even that conservative State has virtually
nullifed the fugitive slave law. Myers, as
the agent of the owner, had returned sever
al fugitive slaves to servitude in Maryland
after having been inveigled into Pennsylva.
MIA. he was arrested and put on trial fol-
kidnapping. Now the only question which
the Courts of Pennsylvania were competent
to decide, was, whether the slaves rendered
back to servitude were, according to the de.
cision of the Courts of Maryland. legally
held in slavery. 1t is evident that Cour
of Pennsylvania has no right to decide, il
the face of the decision of Court of Mary.
land, that the slaves were not lawfully held
in bondage. But in vain the counsel for
Myers demonstrated the monstrocity of such
a position. The Judge, from the bench,
instructed the jerry that they vere competent
to Investigate as to the legality of the decis
ION Of the Court of Maryland, and If, IN
their opinion, that decision acas acrong then
'cere to bring IN a verdict Of guilty.! And
they did bring in verdict Of guilty, and
Myers was sentenced to eight years in the
penitentiary. What think the people of the
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