Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1861-03-29

of We send it to you because you owe it,
and because we waat the money, and because
we have some little hope left, that you are
honest enough to pay it. You need not wait
for iEr5c or sEt mouths to come to town, but
send it to as by mail, taking tho pains to reg
lister your letter at your post Office.
TAE GREAT SUBMISSION ARGUMENT.
Whenever the advocates of secession, either
as matter Of right, selfprotection, or of in
terest, ventilate their opinions in the presence
of submissionist, they are met with one in
variable argument, the efficacy OF: which is :
believed osbe sufficient for the answer Of all
reasons and all argument supen asty sul5ect
whatever. Only hint in the presence ofthe''
humblestmember of the submission party that
Virginia would best consult her dignity and
interest by retiring from the present Conted-
eracy, and you will see the face OF the SUBJ
missionist assume the pall0r OF corpse, as he
triumphantly answers you, that by so doing
the border of Canada would be brought down
to the border of Virginia. and that hcncctorth,
there would be nothing but midnight confs-
grations. slave instructions and bloody raids
of irresistible abolitionists. What a strong
faith tho submissionists have in Il cir state
ments? With what u solemnity Of manner
and awful tone of voice. they tell how We
would be burnt and butchered by these terri
bic abolitionists. How our lands would cease
to be of any value; how cur slaves would be
either stolen from us or melted to become the
agents of our destruction and ruin. If these
gentlemen who use this argument would more
clearly and closely inspect its real value, we
are decidedly of tho opinion, that it would
prove to be just such n coinage of the brain
as the 'raw-head apd bloody-bones story,
with which nurses Brighten refractory children
Before proceeding to inquire as to whether
this argument is really true, we feel it our
duty to inform the public, that whether true
or not, it by no means was originated with
the submissionists, but like most of the ma
terial which that party has used for its logical
support, is borrowed from the Black Repub
licans. The Republicans know very well
that sometimes people can be frightened,
not only out of the assertion of their rights,
but also out of the pursuit Of their real inter-
cts. Hence they got up this argument, that
may be thus stated: 1.-THE abolitionists are
terrible fellows So full of pernicious hate
to shareholders and those who sympathise
with them that it requires all the power OF the
Republican party to restrain them from rush
ing to the Southern States, and literally eat
ing up the whole population. Now gentle-
men of the border States, if you are quiet and
well-behavcd, We will not allow these blood
thirsty abolitonists to modest you, but if you
are FESTIVE and seek to leave the Union, we
will take off their muzzles undo their couples,
and let loose these blood hounds upon YOU"
Now the force OF this argument is fear,
fright and it is very natural that it should
be used as part of the strategy of the Black
Republican party, but that it should be adopt
ed by the prominent and leading men of the
submission party, as an instrument to demon
alize the masses of Virginia with cowardice,
is not only unnatural but disgraceful. Men
are busy repeating to the people from high
places, do not assert this right, because all
rights may be taken from you. Do not claim
protection for tlis species of property, else all
your other property may be given up to
plumber" Such is the unmanly advice with
which it is sought to brighten the men of
Virginia, who, by inheritance should know
no fear
With view to test the value OF this argu-
ment, let us see whether Virginia would be
more likely to lose her slave property in the
Southern Confederacy, than in the present
Union.
The protection to her slave property, which
Virginia derives from the Federal Govern
meme, consists solely and altogether in the
present Fugitive Slave Law. What is it
worth? Notthree slaves year are recovered
by arrests of the government marshal, and
regular proceedings before the Federal Courts.
Sometime during last year citizen of this
county, at the risk of his life, secured ruu-
away slave that had escaped to Pennsylvania,
by the arrest of the United States marshal,
and by the decision of Judge Of the Federal
Court. But tho expenses of the proceeding
were 81 200 J, and the sale of the negro brought
him 81 400. Its plain that with such risks
and such expenses, the means provided for
the return of fugitive slaves cannot be re-
sorted to. 1t must prove as it has heretofore
proved, an impracticable plan. Most of the
Northern States have passed what are called
Personal Liberty Bills" Some of them are
Of such character as directly to prevent the
execution of the Fugitive Slave Law and all
of'them have been passed with the express
object of interfering with its speedy and ex
penseless application to practical cases,
In view of the exposure of her slave prop
erty. and the non-efhciency of the Fugitive
Slave Law, Virginia has been compelled to