Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1868-03-03

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nical Congress? Did we swear allegiance to
New England, or the Middle States, or the
Western States that pork packers from the
banks of the Ohio, pcddlers from Massa-
chusetts, and Dutchmen from Pennsylvania,
shall enact arbitrary laws for Virginia, and
enforce them at the point of the bayonet!
! Sir, in this hail. to-day and every day, you
and are vilifed, our words and acts dis
torted, our principles held up to scorn.
These enemies of constitutional liberty have
challenged US to come forth; oppressed
people call upon US in heart-rending accents.
we arc here to answer both defiance and ap-
peal. Mr.. President, 1 know not what your.
course may be, but [ am come to denounce
the former as political tricksters, usurpers,
and knaves-the supple minions of an ile>
gal assembly, aided and protected by the
base upholders of disgraced flag. L am
here to counsel the latter to resist to the ut
most the encroachments made upon their
summit of yonder hill, I threw down the
gauntlet at Eugland's feet, and shouted lib
erty- so now my cry is, resistance, armed
resistance, if needs be, against the tyranny
which enslaves our unhappy countrymen.
Would that my voice tonight, could not on
ly fill this chamber, but penetrate to the
valleys, and reach through the mountains of
my native State O, Virginians, its burden
should be: 'YOur cause is just-do not de-
spair, draw inspirations from the past, from
| the deeds of your ancestors to nerve your
hearts Never consent to barter your birth
right for the miserable mess of pottage pre-
pared by your brutal task-masters. Listen
not to the timid and craven. who talk of
oaths and compromises. Away with such
expedents. They are but additional links
in the chain which binds you. Enter no
government which requires you to bring as
tokens of fealty, the Remuneration of the
principles for which you have shed your
blood and which are the pillars of rebubli-
can liberty. Rather feed little longer on
the husks of military dominion, than buy ex>
emption at such price. Let your allies be
time and opportunity, and seize the favora-
BILE moment to burst the shackles of oppres-
sion.-Fall on your own swords rather than
submit, and leave as heritage TO the strip
ling at your side the udomitable will, which
ever holds aoft the ensign of resistance"
The tones of the clear, fute-like voice
ceased, and the speaker, drawing his heavy
cloak around him, strobe down the aisle. He
was succeeded by gentleman, who said he
had listened with emotion to the eloquent re-
cital of Virginias wrongs; that he viewed
with fearful eyes the subiugation of her peo
! pie, and would advise them to have recourse
to arms, but for the fact Of an empty treasu-
ry. Here he depicted in feeling terms the
desolation and impoverishment of the State,
| her debts of long standing, and the enormous
! demands made upon her by the tyrants, in
order to carry out their evil purposes. After
reviewing the wealth and resources of the
enemy, obtained by the robbery and enslave-
mcnt of the Southern States, he pointed out
the futility of endeavoring, unaided and in
our present condition, to wage war against
such odds.
A gigantic man, with a bold, fearless bear
ing, now obtained the floor, and said that, al,
though he was.not vcrsed in law making or
money. making, he knew how to fight, and
was ready to shoulder his gun at minutes
warning. That according to his Judgment
time enough had been wasted in words, and
the pipe of peace had been smoked to no
purpose "Although our people are weak, ="
continued he. "they should not quail before
their foes. What do we care for their re-
sources or their strength? They who trea-
sure up wrongs are doubly armed, and the
insults daily heaped upon Virginia are enough
to endow the puniest of her sons with the
strength of giant. The gentleman talks OF
bonds, and war debts, and taxation. What
need is there for the enormous expenditure
he mentions? Fight ds I and my comrades
fought the Indians-band together and when
any outrage is reported, rise at given signal
and avenge it. Exercise strict vigilance, and
let every man mount guard over his own and
his neighbor's rights. Above all, keep. an
eye on the sneaks and towards at home who
are willing to buy peace through dishonor,
or to join the enemy in dividing the spoils
There are many such, who have calmly looked
on while the torch was applied to the home
steads of their kindred, and enjoy the
reward of their treachery, while their breth-
ren groan under the burdens.which they have
helped to impose upon them. Had I band
| of trusty men, with the relentless fury of the
Indian, I would track such scoundreis over
mount and stream and never halt until their
bloody scaps hung at my belt" and as if to
give greater emphasis to his words, the speak
er struck the floor with the heavy shot gun
upon which he had been leaning.
His remarks were followed by speeches
from two other members. who, in calm, judi
cial tones, advised that the strong arm of the
law be used against the oppressors' They
inveighed against the military rule established
in the South, and denounced the men who had
accepted such Offices as hrelings, willing to
sacrifice patriotism for emoiument and ambi-
ton citizens in military garb, enslaving
their fellow citizens at the behest of tyrnn~
! nical faction. One of them called upon the
! people, North and South, to arouse from their
! inaction, to arrest the inroads made by Con-
gress upon their rights; to hug jealously to
their breasts those liberties which their Eng
/ lish forefathers struggled to gain for hum
dreds of years, which were often torn from
their grasp, and as often regained, until
/ through much suffering, they were firmly es-
tabshed They have decended to you, and
written upon your statute books, embodied in
your constitution, and will you resign them to
! crafty the hatred and revenge of the con-
sprators, who have taken the reins of govern
ment in hand
The other of the speakers, who seemed to
be an exceedingly learned old gentleman,