Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-12-25
sTAUNTON VIRGINIA, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1860.
this answer will be justified by the following

u
considerations:
1. Mr.. Lincoln, it is we'll known, does not
hold extreme opinions on the subject ofislavery
It is certain that he has expressed a decided o.
pinion that the South has a constitutional right
to demand the faithful execution of the Fugitive
Slave Law; and that under certain circumstan-
ces he would feel it his duty not to oppose the
admission of new slave State into the Union
His declaration on this point is little satisfacte-
ry to the South; but neither that declaration,
nor the opinion expressed by him on the subject
of the Fugitive Slave Law is at all satisfactory
to the extremists of his own party.
Upon the whole, if Mr.. Lincolns public dec
larations on the subject of slavery are to be con-
sidered as the true exponents OF bis future poll
cy, and if be possesses the moral courage to ad-
here tothem in opposition to the counsels of the
extreme men of his party (and it is just and fair
to presume that he does possess that virtue,) no
serious mischief need be apprehended during his
administration, except the usual evils attending
the perpetual agitation of the slavery issues.
2. But ir is assumed by some that Mr.. Lin.
io4ln k.s disgu 3 his true entipen.s that his
ne cha raotter has has iot been understood; and
that he viii be under the control OF tie worss
msn of his party. "a not thiak so. ] l.ass
every confidence ihat his ,fnture rofcy will be
s.1hd 10 be in strict conformity witt is past
cecil tiols. But apart from this i. is low
general know i that he will be power.ess for
mischief, except to u very limited extent, during
the first two years of his administration unless
the Southern Senators and Representatives e.
lected to the next Congress should rashly, and,
as think, inexcnsably resign their seats or re-
tire from Congress, and thus voluntarily surren-
der the control in both Houses to the Republi-
can party, which surely they will not do. With
both Houses opposed to him, Mr.. Lincoln cannot
appoint bis Cabinet ministers or fill any offices
OF high grade without the assent of the Senate,
or indeed of any inferior grade above that of
clerk or petty deputy postmaster. He will be
able to carry no measure connected with the
subject of slavery which does not commend it
self to the South and the conservative members
from the North.
3. As to any apprehensiOns that the Repub-
lican party, encouraged and stimulated to fur
ther efforts by their late success, may be SO
strengthened in the result of the elections of
Senators and Representatives, in the mean time
as to obtain a majority in both Houses of the
38th Congress, that is, during the last two years
of Mr.. Lincoln's administration while it may
be well to regard such an event as possible, the
strongest reasons exist for the confident be-
lief that no such unfortunate result will attend
the elections in the North, which are to decide
tilo COupltAlOu Vi Tie OObu OODSreSS.
Ut the whole number of votes cast for Mr..
Lincoln in the recent election, from my own
personal knowledge, and from information re-
ceived from other sources, of the sentiments of
the South, and especially of those of the Middle
States, and the States North of the Ohio, l am
sure hazard nothing in stating that large
number-at least one third-are devoted to the
Union, and, although opposed to slavery in the
abstract, have but little sympathy with the Re-
publican party, and would be sincerely glad to
see the slavery controversy between the two
great sections of the country speedily termina-
ted. They supported the Republican candidate
in the late election, mainly influenced by their
strong and inyeterate feelings of opposition to
the Democratic party-believing that Mr.. Lin
coin was the only available candidate in the
field to defeat that party.
| am, also well satisfied that not more than
one third part OF Mr. Lincoln's supporters are SO
extreme 10 their anti-slavery sentiments, and
are animated by SO intense hatred of the South,
as to be wholly Indifferent to the effect upon
the Union OF the policy of the Republican party,
or actually desirous of separation Of the free
from the slave States
Of the remaining third of Mr.. Lincoln's sup
porters, think am warranted in saying that
they are attached to the Union, though anti
slavery in their sentiments. They Joined the
Republican party as a retaliatory measure, a.
dopted in resentment of the repeal of the Mis-
souri, Compromise, which they regarded as little
less sacred and binding than the Constitution,
and in further resentment of the attempt to
force the Lecompton Constitution upon the peo-
pie OF Kansas. But now that they have so sig
nally triumphed in the late election, and in view
of the evils already inflicted upon the country,
and the still greater evils to be apprehended,
they will be content to cease the war upon
Southern interests and feelings.
For the foregoing reasons, feel confident that
the 3Sth Congress will exhibit falling offin the
strength of the Republican party, instead of an
increase
4th All of the existing grievances of which
the South may justly complain, can be redressed
10 the Union. As to the indignity, not to say
insult, offered to the South, of nominating and
electing the candidates for the two highest Off
ces OF the Government by sectional party, on
principles which practically excluded the South
ern States from voice in the election, contrary
to established usage, and in violation of the
spirit OF the Constitution they may be par
dOned for the sake of peace and harmony, and
in consideration that the South has not been
guiltless of having contributed, and that in no
small degree, to increase the violence and asperi-
ties OF the slavery controversy between the two
sections.
In expressing the opinion that all grievances
may be redressed in the Union, intended to ex-
clude other greater offences which have been ap-
pretended from Republican domination, and
which are OF possible occurrence. How they
shall be redressed, should they unhappily occur,
will call for new counsels; but sufficient unto
the day is the evil thereof"
The existing grievances are the obstructions
interposed by some of the non-slayeholding
States to the prompt and faithful execution OF
the Fugitive Slave Law, by what are called
Personal Liberty Laws, and the refusal OF the
Governors of several of those States to surren-
der fugtives from justice from the slave holding
States in those cases in which the crime impu-
ted to the fugitive is the abduction or stealing
of slaves. Some further legislation by Congress
may be required to secure the surrender OF such
| fugitives, but the due enforcement of the Fu-
| gitive Slave Law is all that is required to re-
dress the grievances arising from the escape and
| abduction of slaves from the Southern States
The President is armed with sufficient power
and means to enforce this law in defiance of all
obstructions which may be thrown in the way
to defeat it. If he neglects fails to it ex-
ecuteG. he is liable to impeachment.
The next subject which purposed to myself
to notice briefly is the doctrine or theory OF se-
cessioD. which, as l understand it, is the right
claimed to exist under and by the Constitution,
! in the exercise of which State may withdraw
from the Union, whenever majority of the cit
,zens NAV decide to do So for any cause what.
ever. For it is quite immaterial whether any
grievance or wrong sustained at the hands of the
e 4 L. I'll n1xv