Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-15

/ u
hibited, that serious difficulties and embarrass
ment will attend the movement Subsequent Q
vents may show the necessity for it.
In 1888 and 1850, when the existence of The
Union was seriously threatened, when the dan
ger was imminent, the Legislature accomplished
everything desired, in manner as satisfactory
as it would have been accomplished, if the mode
now suggested had been adopted. On neith-
or occasion was the Legislature chosen, with ref
erence to the events which subsequently occur
red, and which devolved upon them the necessi-
ty for such action as was taken, and which gave
so much satisfaction to the people of Virginia
and the whole country.
In my inaugural message made this recon-
mendation, which if adopted, would perhaps have
relieved u.s. to some extent, from the complication
with which we are now embarrassed.
II also suggest that a commission, to consist
of two OF our most intelligent, discreet and ex-
perienceds statesmen, shall be appointed whose
duty it shall be to visit the Legislatures Of those
States which have passed laws to obstruct the
execution Of the fugitss slave act, and iosist in
the nsme OF ylrg8nlss Epon their unconditional
repeal. In support OF the suggestion Of the ap-
pointment of commission; precedent is to be
found in the history Of our own State, in the ap-
pointment of the distinguished Benjamin Watkins
slature of South Carolina, at the time of the con-
troversy between that State and the federal gov
ernment. The existence of the Union was then
greatly mperilled, and the action of Virginia ex-
erted most happy influence ia bringing about q
settlement that averted the danger and restored
peace to the country. That crisis in public affairs
was almost as serious and alarming as the pres
ent." ea
Ia renewing the recommendation at this time,
annex modification, and that is, that commits
sioners shall not be sent to either of the N. Eng
land States The occurrences of the last two
months have satisfied me, that New England pu-
ritanisln has no respect for human constitutions,
and so little regard for the Union, that they
would not sacrifice their prejudicees, or smother
their resentments to perpetuate it.
| further recommend, that commissioners be
sent to the Legislatures or conventions OF all the
slave-holdiDg States to confer with them, with
a view of ascertaining what demands, in the ma
ture of amendments to the constitution, or other
wise, will be satisfactory in this exigency. The
adoption of this plan will in all probability tend
to secure harmony and produce unity of action.
The controversy now has reached point when
1T mast be settled on some fair, just and perma
nent basis, if we are to pc reunited, and peace,
quiet and order restored to the country. The
excitement now existing is ruinous to the tnan
cial and commercial business, and to the agricnl-
tural, planting, mechanical mercantile and man
ufacturing interests of all sections. Unless set
tlement of the controversy shall be speedily ef
fected, every species OF property must fall to
merely nominal prices, and scene of general and
ruinous bankruptcy, far exceeding, in extent and
severity, any that has preceded it, must be the
inevitable result. Even now, hundreds and thou
sands have been thrown out of employment, and
ct this inclement season, poverty, want and mis-
cry, must be the portion of them and their depen-
dent families. 1t is time the conservative spir
it of the country wss aroused and stimulated to
energetic action. No time is to be lost in putting
into immediate requisition all fair honorable and
con Institutional means that promise to secure q
satisfactory and permanent adjustment.
What, then, is necessary to be done9 The
Northern States must strike from their statute
books their personal liberty bills and fulfill their
constitutional Obligations in regard to fugitive
slaves and fugitives from Justice. Ii our slaves
escapeinro nonsave holding States, they must be
delivered up; if abandond, depraveG and desper-
atei -wiGkee-inen eeiEe into slave States to ex-
cite insurrections, or to commit other crimes a.
gainst our laws aud escape into free States, they
must be given up for trial and punishment, when
lawfully demanded by the constituted authorities
of those States whose laws have been violated
Second-We must have proper and effective
guarantees for the protection of slavery in the
District of Columbia. We can never consent
to the abolition of slavery in the district, unit
Maryland shall emancipate her slaves; and not
then, unless it shall be demanded by the citizens
of the district.
7hird-Our equality in these States and ter
ritories must be fully recognized, and our rights
of person and property adequately protected snd
secured. We must have guarantees that slavery
shall not be interdcted in any territory now be
longing ato, Cor which smay be hereafter &C
quired by the general government; either BY
the Congress of the United States or a territoria
Legislature; that we shall be permitted to pas:
through the free States and territories withOn
molestation; and if slave shall be abducted
that the State in which he or she shall be lost
shall pay the full value of such slave to The
owner.
Fourth-Like guarantees must be given, tina
the transmission of slaves between the slave
holding States, either by land or water, shal
not be interfered with.
FSfth-The passage and enforcement of rigit
laws for the punishment of such persons in th'
free States as shall organize, or aid and abet II
organizing, either by the contribution of money
arms, munitions of war, or in any other mode
whatsoever, companies of men, with view t.
assam tu0 SIdF0uOluiuS OtdGcc, duu ~ inoie'
slaves to insurrectiOn.
4Sirtb-That the general government shall b.
deprived of the power of appointing to local OF
fees in the slaveholding States persons who ar
hostile to their institutions, or inmical to thef
rights-the object being to prevent the appoint
ing power from using patronage to sow the seed
of strife and disnnion between the slaveholdins
and non slaveholdiDg classes in the southern
States.
These guarantees can be given without pref
dice to the honor or rights, and without sacri
flee of the-interests of either of the non-slave
holding States. We ask nothing, therefore
which is not clearly right and necessary to ou
protection. And surely, when so much is a
stake, it will be freely, cheerfully and promptly
assented to. 1t is the interest OF the North anC
the South to preserve the government from de.
struction and they should omit the use of az
proper or honorable means to avert so great ca
lamity. The public safety and welfare demand
instant action.
Many of the fanatics in the Northern States are
constantly calling attention to the fact, that the
number of slave owners, as compared with the
white population in the slave States, is small
and hence the inference that the non stakeholder
is not loyal to the State, and would not willingly
defend the institution. This is most serious
mistake, and is we'll calculated to make an erro-
neous impression upon the northern mind. Such
representation does serious injustice to that
loyal and patriotic class of our citizens. It is a
reflection upon them, not warranted by their con-
duct, now or heretofore.
The number of persons in this State, in the
year 1860, charged with taxes on slaves, was
53 S74 The number of nerSOnS CHARGED with