Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-02-19


common enemy at their next trial of strength
! What a sublime and patriotic spectacle it would
present for the admiration of the world-a unit
i ed, conservative, and constitutional element
standing up for their rightsan the Uasson But,
sir aside from this, so firmly is the institution of
slavery fixed in the affections of the people of
the South, and so impregnable is its basis, that
! it defes all assault, from whatever source it
| comes.
/ believe no statesman in Virginia has said
that the bare election of Lincoln is sufficient
cause to dissolve the Union. 1t will be we'll re-
membered how all parties denied the charge du-
ring the late canvass. Then, what other prac-
tical questions present themselves to us which
require us so hastily to sever our connection
with the Government 1t is no act passed by
Congress; for, be it known, not a single act is
now in force on the statute books of the United
States which was not passed by the aid of south
ern votes. Most of them have been passed by a
| Democratic Congress, or signed by Democrat
ic President. But we are told, and correctly,
too, that many OF the northern States have pass
ed laws impeding the execation of the fugitive
slave bill The States which passed them stand
in open rebellion to tie Constitution; and if
prompt measures bad been taken to punish the
first offending State by the powers under the
Constitutional venture to affirm that no other
Statelwoud have followed the example. The
passage of these laws are of no recent date
The flrst, believe, was passed by Vermont, in
the year 1843, nst two years before Texas came
into the Union. Pennsylvania passed hers in
1847. We have, for this long period, permitted
these laws to sleep on the statute books of the
| North. We have given no notice to those States
that we demand their repeal which [ think we
ought to do before We break up the Govern
ment on that account. Sir, do not mean to
extenuate or paate any act which the North
has committed in violation of our constitutional
rights. On the contrary, | allege that every
State which has passed laws in violation of the
Constitution, having violated the compact, is
virtually out OF the Union and the individuals
who participated in their passage deserve the
severest punishment known to civilized Govern
ments. They are the offending States, and
themselves ought to be required to repeal their
unconstitutional laws, or leave the Union
These laws, however mischievous was their de-
sign, are null and void. They are an insult to
the South, but of no practical injury.
| | believe there is but one other question
which is assigned as reason for immediate dis
union; and that is, the Republican party deny
to the South her just rights and equality in the
common Territories. This is true; but I do
think, as statesmen and patriots, dscarding all
passion and prejudice, we ought to take prac-
tical view OF every question which presents it.
self for our consideration. There is no Terrific
ry now open to which their doctrine of congress
sional prohibition can apply. Does not pru-
dence require US to wait until a case arises,
when our constitutional rights are denied, before
we break up great and good Government like
this2 will never consent to do it because a
/ party hold opinions against my section, unless
they undertake to execute them. l believe sir,
have noticed all the prominent causes of COM
plant which we of the South allege against the
Republicans and Abolitionsts OF the North, ex
cept their interference with our social institu-
tions by incendiares, armed traitors, and fend-
ish book-writers. shall not stop to resurrect
the bones of John Brown. A sheriff of my
State erected monument to his memory the
day before his death which stands as a warning
more potent than anything | could say. Nor
will bring to light that infamous Helper book.
} Its day, hope is past. Its introduction in this
House killed one. Speaker, made another, filled
the pockets of its feon author, and accomplish
ed for him the real object in view. This is e.
nough. Sir, having surveyed the whole field,
is there any evil of whcRwe SO justly complain
which would be remeded by disunion2 Dsu-
nion will not execute the fugitive slave bill. On
the contrary, it will wipe it out. hDisunion will
not repeal those obnoxious laws. Dissolution
will not give Us any more rights in the Terrific
stop the mails or the printing of books. These
evils will all exist after dissolution, and fear,
| in a more aggravated form than now.
Amid the great excitement which pervades
the whole South, I think it well to give express
sion to these thoughts, that we may not act too
hastily in a matter of such thrilling and vital
Importance; but act coolly, calmly, thoughtfuily
and wisely; as considerate men directing the
destinies of constitutional liberty, and the fate of
a great people.
Permit me to say to you Of the Republican
party, that you hold, as believe, the Union in
your hands. You can save it and you alone
can. The cotton States are gone. They want
no compromise, if we are to believe what some
of their Representatives on this floor said. On
the second day of the present session, when an
effort was being made to raise committee with
the view of compromising the difficulties which
now beset us, Mr.. Hawkins, OF Florida, said he
would not vote to raise committee for that
purpose, 'for am opposed, and believe my
| State is, to all and every compromise. The day
of compromise is past" Mr.. Singleton, of Mis-
sissippis said: 81 was not sent here to make a.
ny compromise, or to patch up existing difficult.
| ties" Mr.. Miles, of South Carolina, announced
that South Carolina would 60 out OF the Union
on the 18th instant Mr.. Pugh, Of Alabama,
said: 'As my State of Alabama intends follow
| Ing OOutu O6TOltLd Out VI LILO OAioh ~ ono A0oh
of January next, pay no attention to any ac-
tion in this body" Mr.. Breckenridge said, in
December, 1859: eThe Representatives from
Georgia, from South Carolina, from Alabama,
from Missippi, not to speak of other Southern
States, say that they represent their constituents
nay, say that they do not go as far as their con-
stituents, and they declare that they are ready
at any moment tor separate confederacy." l
cannot refrain from using his own patriotic Ian
guage which next follows, ssGod forbid that such
thing should take placel" Thus it appears
that these States were ready at any moment as
| far back as 1859, for separate contederacy.-
Therefore, see no hope of prevailing on them
to pause now.
But you gentlemen of the Republican party,
by coming forward like men, and rendering JUS
tice to the South, can prevent any further rup-
/ ture in the Government until the border States,
by firm and conciliatory course, can adinst
with YOU all the pending difficulties. This be-
ing done. think those States would return
The Union would be on a more permanent basis
than ever-before. The ever glorious flag of the
stars and stripes, with its 'red, white, and
| blue.n would once more float in triumph from
our Capitol and from every State-house and
every hilltop with every star and every stripe,
would wave over the freest and happiest people
on earth. But if you persist that you have done
| no wrong. will make no compromise or conces-
sions mark what tell you that, right or wrong,
the dav is not distant when every slave State
will he out of the Union. Does the South make
onr demand inconsjstent with yOur rights2-