Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1860-01-12
WHEELING, VA, THURSDAY MORNING, JAN

| az! !I-SIAN GiaOGNAu- hTNNtSN u4C az ~ NaAR
Constitution and the Union: but il is not
to be iigused, that large number are IN
different 20 both. and would prefer a dis
! solution OF the Union to the extension of
| slave territory. or the increase of slave
States. They desire to confinc slavery 10
| the States in which it now exists, ami the
| sympathy manifested for John Brown and
| his associates in crime, gives reason to
! fear that they are prepared To aid in put
| ling down attempts To Interfere with the
| institution. even III the States, where il is
recognized and protected py law.
This lamentaLlc state of things between
the two sections Of the country, has its
origin in tie construction placed by the
! Northern people upon the Constitution of
the United States. They const9ue it TO
the prejudice of the honor. rights and in
| stitutious of their Southern brethren
They insist that tirc Constitution author
! izes the adoption of measures for the ex-
clusion of slavery from the Territories
the common property OF all the States
| and they spare no effort TO affirm their
construction By the legislation of Congress
In The early history of tine government
territory was acquired, and territorial gov
| crnmcnts were organized. without euquir-
ing whether they were free or slave-free
and slave States were admitted into the
I nion peri ,'usSu. The Constitution was
construed fairy and justly according to its
spirit-we lived in harmony-and our
prosperity rs a nation was steady and un-
parIilcIcd When the Northern Construc-
tio. began TO prevail. strife arose, bitter
feelings were euEcndcred. elimination and
recrimination followed: and now we find
that the ties of brotherhood have been
Sundered. mutual dstrust has succeeded,
and the kindly feelings of affection have
Lnor, sT,,nfi,nrnI ~ bitFar SnrffnOnl tufFad
that now bids fair to Uutlive the existence
of the Union. The only foundation upon
which tho government can rest in security,
is the affections OF the people. If this
foundation has not hecr entirely under
mined. ii is so nearly gone that il becomes
the conservative patriots of the natiUI 10
unite and determine upon Z line of policy
thai shall govern their future action.
greatly fear. however. ttI;i: the disease has
taken Smch hold upon the Nurtiarn men
thai it IS almost impossible now 10 cradi-
cate it.
In This dcpIorahle condition of things,
with all the evils incident to a dissolution
of the Union prominently before US. the
enquiry presents itseil-w hat can be done
to avert the danger: The supreme Court
cannot settle this question of constrUc-
tion, because it is not recognized by the
parties n an arbiter. This has been but
too paipably manifested in the utter rcpu-
dtation of the bred Scott decision, by the
Republican party.
The only mode, therefore, Of remedying
the evil that occurs 20 me, ,T.der TIE Con-
sEiulioa. Is provided in the fifth article
thereof. Sammon Convention OF all thc
States. that full and free conference may
he had between the Representatives of
the people, selected for this purpose. and
f""S Scrialn yvl,'tl1.4r ttfG , ~.
basis mutually Satisfactory 10 both sec
t!ons. If such convention shall assem-
bic and. after free and tull consultation
and comparison of opinions, they shalt
find that the difference between the sltvc-
holding and nUu-slayehOlding States are
irreC oncilahle, let them consider the ques-
ton of "a pcace.,ole separation ami the id-
iustmeut of all questions relating To the
disposition of the common property be-
tween the two sections. If they can he
reconciIed let them adjust the terms and
give them such sanctions as will render
them effective.
suggest. therefore, that yon adopt res
olutions in favor ofthe call OF such 4 Con-
vcntio:. and appeal to the Legislatures "t
tIlc several States TO unite in snc applica-
ton proposed to be mstic to Congress, in
pursuance of the provisions of the articles
aforesaid. If the nOn-S!aTehoidng States
shall fail or refuse to unite in the applica-
tiou. such failure or refusal will furnish
conclusive evidence of determination on
their part TO keep up the agitation, and TO
continue their "ggresSions upon us IL the
Convention shall meet, and the question
cannot be satisfactorily adjusted it will
furnish evidence equally conclusive Of their
determination. In either event the people
of the South will clearly understand what
thy are 10 eNDrct in the future.
1t will doubtless, bc objected to this
suggestion that it looks to disauion. Grant
it if you please. Is not the danger of dis
union imminent now. and is not the pub
lie mind. North and South. deeply agi'ated
bv the apprehension that the days OF the
Union are numbered? Disunion speeches
are the order OF tie day in dcliberHtive DO
dies. State and National, and the press
teens with the same sort of matter, edito-
rial. communicated and selected. Southern
Legislatures are employed in considering
the best modes Of protecting the honor and
rights of their States, aud are making pro-
vision for arfuing and disciplining the ms
litia with sole reference TO their protection
and defence. either in or out of the Cniou-
Eyery man sees and feels that dangers are
i.nrcndiuc over us, and that diSunion is
not Ouly possible but highly probable
event. and at no distant day. When these
things are so. surely the country c"h io"A
upon disunion. from the stand point which
occupy If men cannot calmly look up
on it. at this distance. they ought to cease
the utterancc of disunion sentiments, and
permit the public mind II settle down, pre-
paratorv to submission, on the part OF the
South.
/ l also suggest. tha: commission, TO
consist of two OF our most intelligent,
discreet and experienced statesmen, shall
he appointed, whose duty it shall he -
visit the Legislatures of those States which
have passed laws to ohstruct the execution
of the Fugitive Slave act, and insist. in