The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1860-01-12


the States-and they spare no effort to af-
firm their construction by the legis lation OF
Congress. Ia the early history OF govern
ment, territory was acquired and territorial
governments were organized Without en-
quiring whether they were free or slave
free and slave States were admitted into the
Union pari passu. The Constitution was con-
structed fairly and justly according to its
terms and spirit-we lived in harmony-and
our prosperity as a nation was steady and
unparalleled. When the Northern construc-
ton began to prevail, strife arose, bitter
feelings were engendered, elimination and
reerimination followed; and we now find
that the ties of brotherhood have been sun
dered, mutual distrust has succeeded, and
the kindly feelings of affection have been
smothered by bitter sectional hatred, that
now bids fair to outlive the existence OF the
Union. The only foundation upon which
the government can rest in security, is the
affections of the people. If this foundation
has not been entirely undermined, it is SO
nearly gone that it becomes the conserva-
tive patriots of the nation to unite and de-
termine upon line of policy that shall gov
ern their future action. l greatly fear,
however, that the disease has taken such
hold upon the Northern mind that it is al
most impossible to eradicate it.
In this deplorable condition Of things, with
all the evils incident to dissolution OF the
Union prominently before US, the enquiry
presents itself-what can be done to avert
the danger The Supreme Court cannot
settle this question of construction, because
it is not recognized by the parties as an ar
bitter. This has been but too palpably man
ifested in the utter repudia ton of the Dred
Scott decision by the Republican party.
The only mode, therefore, of remedying
the evil that occurs to me, under the Consti-
tuition, is provided in the fifth article thereof.
Summon Convention of all the States, that
tull and free conference may be had be-
tween the Representatives of the people,
elected for this purpose. and thus ascertain
whether the questions in con troversy cannot
be settled upon some basis mutually satisfac-
tory to both sections If such a convention
shall assemble; and after free and full con-
sultation and comparison of opinions, they
shall lind that the differences between the
slave holding and non-slaveholding States
are irreconcilable, let them consider the
question of a peaceable separation and the
adjustment o. all questions relating to the
disposition of the common property between
the two sections. If they can be reconciled
let them adjust the terms and give them
such sanction as will render them effective.
suggest, therefore, that you adopt reso-
buttons in favor of the call of such Conven-
ton, and appeal to the Legislatures of the
several States to unite in the application
proposed to be made to Congress, in psr-
suance of the provisions of the article afore-
said. If the non-slaveholding States shall
fail or refuse to unite in the application, such
failure or refusal will furnish conclusive
evidence of determination on their part to
keep up the agitation, and to continue their
aggressions upon us. If the Convention
shsll meet, and the question cannot be salts
factorily adjusted, it will furnish evidence
equally conclusive of their de termination.
In either event the people of the South will
clearly understand what they are to expect
in the future
1t will, doubtless, be objected to this Isug-
gestion that it looks to disunion. Grant it
If you please. Is not the danger of disunion
imminent now, and is not the public mind
North and South, deeply agitated by the APP
prehensior that the days of the Union are
numbered? Dis-union speeches are the order
OF the day IN deliberative bodies, States and
National, and the press teens with the same
sort of matter, editorial, communicated and
selected. Southern Legislatures are en-
ployed in considering the best modes of pro-
tecting the honor and rights of their States,
and are making provision for arming and
disciplining the militia with sole reference
to their protection and defence, either in or
out of the Union. Every man sees and feels
that dangers are Impending over US, and
that disunion is not only a possible but a
highly probable event and at no distant day.
When these things are ESQ, surely the coun-
try can look upon disunion from the stand
point which l occupy. If men cannot calmly
look upon it, at this distance, they ought to
cease the utterance Of dis-unon sentiments,
and permit the public mind to settle down,
preparatory to submission, on the part CT the
South.
also suggest, that a commission, to con-
sist of two of our most intelligent, discreet
and experienced statesmen shall be appoint
ed, whose duty it shall be to visit the Legis-
latures OF those States which have passed
laws to obstruct the execution of the Fugl-
tive Slave act, and insist, in the name of
Virginia, upon their unconditional repeal. In
support of the suggestion of the appointment
of commission, a precedent is to be found
in the history OF our own State, in the APP
pointment of the distinguished BENJAMIN
Watkins Leigh, who was commissioned to
visit the Legislature OF South Carolina, at
the time of the controv ersy between that
State and the Federal Government. The
existence of the Union was then greatly i'm
perilled, and the action of Virginia exerted
a most happy influence, in bringing about
the settlement that averted the danger and
restored peace to the country. That crisis
in public affairs was almost as serious and
alarming as the present.
This controversy has now reached point
which demands a speedy settlement, if the
Union is to be saved from dissolution. If
the aggressions to which we have been sub
jected Tor so many years, are to be repeated,
il mutual distrust and suspicion are to con-
tinue, and if the election of sectional Re-
publican candidate to the Presidency, in
1860, is to be superadded, it is useless to at
tempt to conceal the fact, that in the pre-
sent temper of the Southern people, it cam
not be, and will not be submitted to. The
''irrepressible conflict" doct rine, announced
and advocated by the ablest and most dis
tinguished leader of the Republican party, is
an open declaration of war against the insti-
tuition OF African slavery, wherever it exists,
and would be disloyal to Virginia and the
South, if did not declare, that the election
of such man, entertaining such sentiments