Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-11-23
Gen. Harper,s RESOLUTIONS.

In the meeting on last Saturday, Gen
Harper. by way of argument. read the fol-
loving admirable resolutions. The spirit
and purport conveyed in them represent
pretty fairly the position Of the people of
Augusta. Whilst they are for the Union.
devoted to its maintenance, yet it must be
upon distinctly enunciated terms of equali-
ty. We perceive that the Northern States
are turning their attention to this subject,
and that bill has been introduced in the
Vermont Legislature repeating the ''Per~
sonal Liberty Bill'' of that State. The Con-
servatlve Republicans o" Massachusetts, are
also taking steps to rescind the uncousttu-
tionai legislation of that State. While these
laws are utilities because Of their nnccnsti-
tutionality. yet they stand upon the statute
book as recorded insults to the South. and
exhibit spirit at war with the fundamental
law of the Countryside Constitution of the
United States -
l. Resolved, That we regard the Union of these
States, founded upon just principles of equality,
and cemented by common interest and common
glory, of the highest Importance to our welfare
a. people, and that we can never abandon it un-
til forced by the conviction that has fail
ed Oft ends, and that its powers are perverted
to our injury ard oppression.
2. Resolved, That we cling to the Constitution
as the sbeet7anehor of our hopes, and stand ready
TO defend our rights under lt, at all hazards and
to the last extremity. e
3. Resolved, That we consider the election to
the Presidency of Abraham Lincoln, by vote
perey sectional, and upon principles hostile to our
rights, as Revolutionary ir its character and
Ghrpna ba RI of No ia rpG
of the obligations Of the compact eli Union between
Observation-Disclosures, conscious of the justice OF our
cause, and OF our ability at all times to defend
those rights, Wiling to rest upon Cur arms,
and await further dev elopnents.
4. Resolved, That we cherish tie since est SYM
pathy ard most traternal regard for those noble
and true men in the nOn-siayehodng States who
have contended CALAMITY against faction and ia
naticsm in defence of the Constitution OF the Coun
try and the rights of the South, ana that if COM
PEELED by sense of duty to ourselves to separate
from them, We shall do SO with heal IS burdened
with regret.
5. Resolved, That there can be 10 Union with
out a strict adherence to the Constitution, and a
just enforcement of Federal obligations upon the
authorities and people of tie States, in all their
| relations and intercourse.
6. Resolved, Therefore, that insist upon q
repeal OF all laws passed by the Legislatures OF the
Free States intended to nllify o, render nuga tory
our guaranteed rights uoder the Constitutions to the
recovery of Fugitive Slaves, and that the Federal
Government be required to enforce the laws n all
cases
! Z. Resolved, That the repeated instances Of Gov
of Free States refusing in violation OF their
oahs Of Office, to deliver up Fugtives from justice,
upon the demand Of Governors Of Southern States,
because Of their sympathy with the crimes against
our institutions with which the criminals st,od
charged, an insult and outrage -disgrace.al
to the recusants and their States-fepugnant to
| every principle Of Union-and demand a remedy.
8. Resolved, That the right of each State to
form and regulate its own domestic Institutions is
perfect and. complete under the Constitution, aud
that any Organizations or Giscu ssions in other
States, intended to impair that right or incite
iorays upon our borders for the purpose of dis
turbing our peace, robbing OF our property,
are fragrant wrongs and breaches of faith, wholly
inconsistent with a continuance Of the Union.
.. Resolved, That We urge upon State au-
thorities the necessity and propriety OF adopting
the most enerpatic measures OF defeuca.