Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1861-03-08


erty WHEN it ESCAPES from them and goes
into free State. Some of the Northern
States, not ALL believe Illinois and India.
ma, at least. are excepted-have passed what
are called Personal Liberty Bills In other
words, they have passed laws to obstruct
the execution Of the Fugitive Slave Law
These acts we denounce; but it is our duty
first to say to the people of the North that
these Personal Liberty Bills are unjust to
US and our rights, and they ought to be re-
pealed But it is the universal, practice of
almost all men who have undertaken to say
nything against these Personal Liberty
Bills, to denounce the whole people of the
North. They make indiscriminate denun-
cations Of the people Of the States that have
not passed these laws. as we'll as against the
people Of those States that kass
| have just said that these Personal Lib
erty Bills which have been passed, passed
by the Iegislatutes Of Certain Northern
States, are against tie rights and tie inter-
ests of the people of the Southern States;
that we ought to demand their repeal; and
[ believe, in justice to us, that they will re-
peal them. | said that we denounced these
laws and their originators; but, sir. we ought
to remember at the same time what these
laws are. We ought to remember that they
are null and void, and that, so far as they
are recognised by the federal authorities,
they are no laws at all
When gentlemen complain of not getting
their rights in the South, why do they not
show to us where they fail to get them p
No one will rise in his seat in this Conven-
ton and say that the Congress of the Uni
ted States has not done ample justice TO tf:s
South and the rights of the South upon chat
question. Isay that, whilst it is wrong to
pass these lavs-they are but State laws
they are, in the eye Of the Constitution of
the United States. no obstructiofis to the
execution of the Fugitive Slave Law. |
know the effect Of them is Injurious, and SO
far as the Constitution Of the United States
is concerned and the laws made in pursu-
ance Of them, they can avail nothing.
Mr.. President, | have heard it sid out
of this Hall, and l think it has been said
upon this floor 70 day by the gentleman from
Orange (Afr. MoRrosJ that tie State of
Virginia ought not to hesitate for one mo-
ment to 60 out of the Union. I do not
know that ! understood him correctly. If
did hot. beg leave to be corrected.
Mr.. MoRToN. GU did, sir.
Mr. BAYLOR continued. And for what ?
Go out for what? l told r.y people, Mr..
President, before left he me, and also whilst
1 canvassed my county, that I would pro-
mise them to be at my post. and would
not only want to see the first man who
would offer resolution to take the old State
of Virginia out Of the Union, but would
want to hear his reasons for IT,, SIT, it has
been said here that that ought to be done,
but nothing has yet been advanced to salts
fy me tEat there is any good reason for it.
Go oft OF the Onion for what, Mr. Presi-
dent? Why, It is said that the Union is al
ready dissolved. Admit that it is, in part.
Six or seven States kaye gone out. Six or
seven Of the Inns Of the great chain which
has bound this great Union together, have
gone. But, MIR. President, there are TWEEN.
y-six yet remaining, believe. The old
Commonwealth of Virginia is not among
the number that have gone out. No, sir;
the stars and stripes are yet unfured over
her; and I, for one, say that l intend to
hold on to the stars and stripes until the
very last hope has fed Some gentlemen
complain of others. because they are too
long in coming to any point at which they
may be understood, as indicating the place
where they stand. I trust, sir, that before
! get through with my remarks. there will
be no complaint Of that sort concerning me.
I intend to show to you, Mr.. President.
and | intend to let this Convention know,
precisely where Istand, before I resume my
seat. But, Mr. President. according to the
usual custom. would much rather if it
would be the convenience Of this Conven.
ton, for it to adjourn for the present
Col. Baylor here gave way for motion
to adjourn until the next day.