Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-04-09

Reasons for Opposing Immediate Secession
The Clarksville Tena.) Chronicle which is in
favor of secession in the event the North refuses
to concede the rights of the South, in response
to friend who-inquires why it is not in favor
of immediate secession, gives the following re-
ply:
We have two good and sufficient reasons
One is, that we for the Union so long as there
is chance to save it, and live in it with perfect
equality and without dishonor The other is,
that the Border States have many true friends in
the North, who are ready and willing to concede
every just demand; and although sectional ia
natics have raised the storm which threatens q
complete disruption of the Union, they cannot
long resist the fierce struggle which they have
provoked at home. Besides these reasons, we
may add that the time it will require to deter
mine whether or not an honorable settlement can
be made, may be rife with developments of a
vital character, in connection with the Southern
COnfederacy. 1t is an experiment, not yet q
success, and although the Border States may be
| forced to secede from the North, prudence in
that event, dictates the utmost caution in form
| ing new federative alliance. The distinctive
interests of the two divisions of the slave States
are sufficiently marked to demand compromises
not only in the organic law, but in the policy of
the new Government; and it may prove so diff.
cult to adjust these differences as to promise but
little harmony, and poor security against future
secessions. The Border States-to use homely
| 6gure-are between two fires, and as long as
there is 40 war, they have choice of three posi-
tions-there present one, with an honorable set
Element; without it, a union with the Gull
States; or a Middle Oonfsderacy. Time is ca
sential to wise choice, and we see no necessity
for hasty action.
i STATE OF AFFAIRS IN TExAs-A correspon-
dent who writes to the st. Louis Republican
from Austin, on the 25th ult., pictures melan-
choly state of affairs in Texas. We quote an ex
tract from his letter:
ga despotism is upon the people. The usua
consequences have followed. Trade paralyzed
money out of the question many people feeling
insecure in liberty and estate, and seeking new
homes; the United States army driven off; oul
frontier exposed; our internal Improvement
and the cause of education arrested No man
lean see the end"
You may ask me if the people cannot be a.
roused2 Look at the state of things in all these
i confederate States" Few presses have the
boldness or indepence to speak out the facts as
they are. The mails are under the control of the
Dlsunionists, and nearly all prominent politicians
are in the movement, finding their reward al
members of Convention, military officers, or ir
the promise of giving, to everybody, everything
and making everybody independent of every
body else. Large standing armies are beiDe
raised; life tenure in office is proposed heavy
tariff is grinding us; government at Mont
gomery is grinding away without any RESPONSE
bility to the people, Ii liberty survives all THU
we shall owe it to good fortune rather than t.
the disposition of the leaders or the vigilance o
the oppressed masses.