Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-04-02

Effect of Secession upon Slavery in Virginia.
We have frequently endeavored to show in
our feeble way that secession would give the
institution of slavery in this State the seyerest
blow it has ever received, and that Wendell
Phillips and Garrison and other vile abolitionists
had good reason to rejoice, as they do, at the
prospect of severence of the Union by Mason
and Dixion's line, as it would tend to render the
institution of slavery more insecure and less val
liable, particularly in the border slave States
We would now invite attention to the views OF
Hon. Geo. W. Summers upon the subject, as ex-
pressed in his powerful and patriotic speech in
the Convention. He said:
$50 far from secession rendering the institu-
ton of slavery more secure in Virginia, it will
be the potent cause of insecurity. Slave prop
erty cannot be retained in that position of af-
fairs; it will diminish instead Of increase. We
shall find this diminution encroachiDg first upon
the counties of the northwest, then on the GEN.
trail west compelling Us to sell our slaves or per-
NIT them gratuitously to run away, disabling us
from holding them and rendering them worth
less: that border widening and encroaching
upon you in the centre, stretching to the east,
until at last, in all human probability, by such
separation Virginia herself in the course OF time,
perhaps not far distant, will be placed in the at
titude, if not of non-saveholding State, at least
slaveholding SO partially as not to be regarded
by her sister States of the South as any better
than Yankee appendage / believe that the
sunderng and Remembering OF the Union is the
signal not only of vast injury to the slave in
situations of the country, but possibly OF its ex-
tinction in Virginia God forbid that such re-
suits should follow. | fear them-I point you
to the natural effect of causes.
| But, Mr.. President, not only are our most ma
tera interests to be TINS affected by this remedy
of secession, but in other aspects, che consequen
ces are not less worthy of consideration.
| Europe is divided into numerous separate ma.
| tionalities bounding each other. Browning for
tresses bastions, embrasures and all the prepa
rations aDd muniments of war and standing ar
mics, constitute necessity of the European sys
tenn. Now, in the United States we have here
tofore had no occasion for apprehension from in
ternal disasters and outbreaks. Our geograph-
ical position, at the same time, has given safety
from invasion from abroad. But, sir, when yo6
shall divide this country by the slave line
line OF 1000 miles between the slave and tree
States-you at once perceive that you are imme.
diately RENTED to the European status The
same causes which bring about standing armies
"
i bring them about here. We have every reason
to believe that in five years. time after perma
i nent ACKNOWLEDGMENT of this Union, there will be
standing army of at least 1000 men on each
| side of the line 1t will be the only mode o.
4 safety for either. 1t would only be the fear o.
each other that would keep the peace. 1t il
only that which keeps the peace in Europe now
it would be only that which would keep the
peace here. As one section enlarged its army
and navy, the other would find it necessary tt
make corresponding increase-precsely as yOr
/ find England and France watching each other
and increasing their military and naval forces
pari passu.
\ I will not go into an examination of the ex-
pendtures necessary to support and MAINTAIN
the new Government, with its army and navy
That these wonld be vastly augmented none car
doubt. The increase of expense would bt
brought upon our people with diminished means
end capacity, on their part, to meet and dis
charge it.
/ | might advert to our constant liability, afte
separation, to border raids and invasons; th'
the worst population On either side the line hav
ing it in their power to bring the two sections
into strife at any time.
i regard secession, then, so far from being I
remedy for the evils of which we complain, a
an aggravation of them all, and as introducing
and fastening upon US new mischefs of the mos
4 injurious, if not fatal character.