Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1861-02-22

which would be remedied by disunion p
Disunon will not execute the fugitive slave
bill. On the contrary it will wipe it out
Disunion will not repeal those obnoxious
laws. Dissolution will not give us any more
rights in the Territories than we have now.
Dissolution will not stop the mails or The
printing of books. These evils will all exist
after dissolution, and, | fear, In more ag-
gravated form than now.
Amid the great excitement which perva-
des the whole South, think it we'll to give
expression to these thoughts. that we may
not act too hastily in matter of such thrill
ing and vital Importance; but act coolly,
calmly, thoughtfully, and wisely. as con-
sderate men directing the destinies of con-
stitutional liberty, and the fate of the great
people.
! Permit me to say to you of the Republi-
can party, that you hold as I 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 be-
lieve 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 a committee with the view of
compromising the difficulties which now be-
set 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.. Sin
gleton, of Mississippi, said: II was not
sent here to make any compromise, or to
patch Up existing difficulties" Mr. Miles,
of South Carolina, announced that South
Carolina would so, out Of the Union ON the
I7th lust. Mr.. Pugh, of Alabama, said
cas- my State of Alabama intends follow
| ing South Carolina out of the Union by the
10th ofJanuary next, pay no attention to
any action in this body" Mr. Breckin-
ridge said, in December 1859: 1.-The Rep
resentatives from Georgia, from South Caro-
lima, from Alabama, from Mississippi, not
to speak of other southern States, say that
they represent their constituents; nay, say
that they do not 60 as far as their constltu-
ents, and they declare that they are ready
at any moment for a separate confederacy "
cannot refrain from using his own patriot
lie language which next follows, God for
ibid that such thing should take place +"
Thus it appears that these States were ready
at any moment, as far back as 1859, for
separate oonfederacy. 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 justice to the South, can prevent
any further rupture in the Government un-
til the border States, by firm and conclia-
tory course, can adjust With you all the pen
ding difficulties. This being done,sx htSi2k
those States would return. Thu
would then be on more perman1
than ever before. The ever-gloiI
Of the stars and stripes, with its 'rd
and blue" would once more foa
umph from our Capitol; and fro
State-house and every hiil~top, viii
star and every stripe, would wave d
happiest and freest people on earth.
you persist that yot have done no
will make no compromise or conc
mark what tell you, that, right or
the day is not distant wien orer slaj
will be out of this Union Does tn
make any demand inconsistent Will
rights? Does she ask you to yield an
ciple or right of property? Does S
you to yield or sacrifice any opn;l
hold =? She only asks that her proper.
constitutional rights, and her ir,stitr
may be respected and preserved, an
you shall Dot so exercise your opinion
do injustice to her. But you say tn
no cause for this excitement at the {
Admit you so think yet you must co
the South just as honestly believes til
such cause. Then, is It not your du|
rally to your country and save it from
destruction, when you can do It wi
yielding any principle or right you
dear? Does not your own self presery
require it? Does not She unsettled
ton of your section, as we'll as min
quire it Does not the reduction of the l5e7o5
lof every staple you produce require it z? Do
not your idle factories and your working
classes require it? DO not your closed
banks, your atagnated commerce. REQUIRE
.h? Yea, does rot every consideration of
patriotism. as well as duty to your people. /
demand it? trust you viii meet this ques-
ton as its Importance demands, not stepping
to inquire the cause or want of cause for the
existing difficulties, but come forward in
prompt and patriotic manner to apply the
remedy, and thus preserve the life of the
Constitution end the Union--a Union which,
despite the assaults of foes within and foes
without, has gone on in its rapid strides to
glory and grandeur unprecedented ir the
history of nations. Sirs, the world looks to
this Republic as the only living and, so far,
successful experiment Of free government.
Greece, Rome, Poland, France, have all
failed and passed away. pray thas this,
our free and happy country. may net STARE
the direful fate of all others, and tfus prove
the tyrants maxim that ''nsan is not capa-
BILE Of self-governmens."
1t is said all the States should 90 out with
view to reconstruction. Iprefer that the
remaining States should adjust all questions
of dispute, and the States now out will soon
return. Reconstruct! Recondtruct AS
we'll try to reconstruct the shattered vase or
to tie up Niagara in handkerchief, and put
it in your pocket, or reconstruct the earth
after it shall have been consumed by fire,
as to attempt to reconstruct this Government
after It shall have been divided by Mason
and Dixon's line Tear down to build up;
90 onk to co,,a IN r estrov tn nresnrva.- shn4