Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1861-04-05
estate RightS.,,

estate Rights,
One Of our Representatives in the Con-
vention, Col. Baylor, declared the other
day. in debate, that be was Estate Rights
man." but he could not see how the State
Of Virginia was sovereign ana independent
when she could not make law in conflict
with the Constitution Of the United States.
On the the same principles Mr.. Baylor
must deny sovereignty and independence to
the United States Government, which rep
resents the collective sovereignty of all the
States-for it can pass no law in conflict with
a treaty made with a foreign power!
| Our Union is an association of equal and
independent States for certain defined pur
poses, and the General Government is a
mere agent through which the States ex-
ercise their sovereignty conformity.
/ Aswell might itbe contended that the differ
ent powers of Europe which have from time
to time entered into Confederacles for their
common defence and general welfare" by
SO doing parted with their separate sover
eighty, as that Virginia is less sovereign,
less independent to-day, than she was when
she first threw off the yoke of British DOM
ination.
| No! no! The blood which Virginia so
freely shed in the Revolution was not ex-
pended for an object SO empty and value
less.
It was to give freedom to her sons-the
sovereign right to govern themselves ac-
cording to their own good will and pleas
ure, without let or hindrance from any pow
er on earth. \
Is it rot time tie sleepers should awake 7
The enemy is at our gates!
The Union and Our Liberties.
The idea is entertained by many that the
Union is necessary to the preservation of
our liberties. In the conflict of the Revo-
luton, when the Colonies were weak, u
Mon, in common cause, was essential to
success. The necessity then, however. by
DO means makes it an axiom now. Our lib
critics are dependent upon ourselves. If
we have the virtue and the spirit, we will
not want the ability to maintain them.
In some remarks lately made by Mr..
Moore, in the Convention, he intimated the
opiuion that the experiment of free institu-
tions in the North was neatly run out. II
80, (and there is reason I'd fear it, separa-
ton is our safety. 1t is impossible that
free institutions can survive when the ig-
norant and vicious masses obtain the pre-
ponderance--a point to which they are rap
idly approaching; Seward boosted, in the
late canvass, of the recruits they were gain
: ing by foreign importation !-SEwARb, the
bastard conservative, with whom some 10
: our midst are willing to affiliate ID nsu
party.
We do not doubt that, under the inhu
5 ehces of our social system, if we are true
to ourselves, Liberty will here find a home
long long after it has persisted at the North
Well might WEBSTER exclam, Liberty
AND Union, now and forever, enc and in
separabe" He spoke as Northern man
E Strike out the South, and the great conser
vative element, the balance wheel of the u
MON will be gone-and with it, ere long
the Liberties Of the North.
The valley Star.
This sterling Democratic paper, publish
, ed at Lexington, the residence of Governor
) Letcher, in its last issue, takes strong grounc
in favor Of the South as against the North
s. Gillock, Esq. tie proprietor, in announc
ing that he has associated in the editeria
management Of the paper, W. P. McCorkle
, Esq, strong State Rights man end forci
bic writer, says:
eve propose henceforth TO devote thu
Star to the interests of our native and below
ed State. We have waited until waiting
has ceased to be virtue The Old Do
minion has done all that honor will allow, t
preserve the Union. Everything has failed
J and the question now is, shall we Unite with
the prosperous South, or, shall we starry,
with the Northern Black Republicans? W.
think it is our duty to take a stand for Vir
gnia, and it is plain to our mind, that tn,
interests of Virginia do not lay in the di
rection of the Free States Our destiny i
with the South"
This step of the Star is fair indication
. Of the revolution that is going on in til
: popular mind in this District The peopl
; are awakening to the fact that the dclusiv
cry Of Union - "Union 2, when there il
no ''UIion'' as it once existed, is leading
them into a false position and destroying
the material interests of the State. LIE
the ball roll on, and the people riss up tt
defend and maintain their assaulted rights
On the Eth Thursday in May, we anticipate
significant and terrible expression Of thu
Indignation of the masses because of the de-
eeption and treachery of the present State
Convention.
Having knocked the dignity stills from
beneath the animal that was braying in tho
lions skin, Of the Spectator; forced him te
confess, byactions, which speak louder than
words, to the imposition be vas attempting
to practice; exposed his ludicrous aspirations
to pass himself off as wit; we have now
driven him to his congenial element of Bill
lingsgate, where we will allow Kim to sa,
tate his thirst for slime and mud We no.
tilted the public that in his assumed eharae.
ter of dignity, he would soon exhibit the
evidence of the creature that lurkcd beneath
the lions skin. that nc wit ho would ,,royo