Staunton Vindicator

Nothing to us appears a surer guarantee of the stability and probable permanence of the institution of slavery, than the revolution--radical in some places, partial everywhere--which has taken place in its favor. Men are now living who can remember when, throughout the world, even here in the Southern States of America, it was looked upon as a great, but necessary evil, and a casual glance at the writings and speeches of the founders of our Republic, will not fail to make apparent the fact, that all those great men considered slavery an evil, and its emancipation a desirable and certain consummation.

But soon the revolution which had commenced in its favor, and the disastrous result of emancipation in the West Indies, convinced the South that, evil or good, it was something which they must be content to endure. Since then, the change in the sentiment of the people has been so sure and speedy, that now, the world, with the exception of a few fanatics, has come to look upon the institution with leniency, and the people of the Southern States with affection and reverence. So decided has been the revolution in reference to this question, that the penal law making the prosecution of the African Slave Trade piracy, is the only remaining vestige of the ancient prejudice. We have never been able to appreciate the consistency of those who, believing slavery, as it exists in the South, to be morally right, yet denounce the slave trade--the mode in which that existence was created--as an infamous traffic. We have never been able to see anything but nonsense and fallacy in the distinction drawn between the morality of purchasing a slave in Virginia to transport to Alabama, and the morality of buying a slave on the coast of Africa to bring to the United States, where he will be better fed, better clothed, and humanized and christianized. Therefore; conscientiously and devoutly believing the institution of slavery to be the most noble, humane and christian institution with which the creator ever blessed a favored people, we are forced to the logical conclusion, that the slave trade, far from being an infamous traffic, is, on the other hand, all perfectly right, moral and proper. We would not be understood as an advocate of the slave trade, for although our moral and christian duty would prompt us to favor the extension of slavery at any risk or cost, still we would not be willing to sacrifice the interests of the South to effect such an end; consequently, as we are not as yet convinced of the expediency we are opposed to the immediate re- opening of the slave trade.

But it was not our intention in this article to discuss the expediency or inexpediency, the right or wrong of re-opening the slave trade, but to add or voice to swell the cry of the aroused and outraged people of the South, for the repeal of that unjust, unconstitutional, and infamous law, which declares the slave trade piracy. The reasons for the repeal of this law are two-fold. First, it cannot be enforced, for it is constantly trampled upon with scorn and impunity, and as a general rule, it is pernicious for any Legislature or Government to pass laws which, conflicting with public sentiment, are wholly disregarded and daily broken. And, secondly, its passage and its maintenance is an infamous injustice to the South. The Southern people have long enough borne with patience a law which stamps with the brand of piracy and outlawry the actions of their forefathers, and holds up to the scorn of the civilized world Southern slavery as an institution whose very inception was attended with a crime worthy of the gallows.

People have been in the habit so long of settling to their own satisfaction every difficult question rising out of the slavery issue by pronouncing it an "empty abstraction," until at length the expression has passed into a common phrase of stereotyped wisdom, lulling the South to an unnatural and dangerous repose.

Did the good people who, on every occasion, are so eager thus to lay at rest a question which many men, great and small, have considered both substantial and vital, ever ask themselves what an abstraction is? Do they remember that they have but an abstract right to life, until it is assailed?--Do they not forget that they hold their property, of any kind, only by an abstract right until it is interfered with by some person or persons? In a word, are they not aware that they enjoy life, liberty and property only as an abstract right, until, being interfered with, it becomes a living, substantial claim? Apply this principle to the question which now agitates the political world, and the myth which mystifying compromisers have thrown around this issue is at once dispelled. We have, as we contend and the compromisers acknowledge, the same abstract right to protection for our slave property in the territories which we have to protection for our lives, liberty and property here in Virginia. As long as this fact is conceded by the world, we are content to let the thing rest as an abstraction; but when a powerful party, like the combined Black Republicans and squatter sovereignty advocates, deny that right, and threaten to follow up their denial by an open and fatal attack upon it, then that which was before an abstraction is converted into a living, substantial, all-absorbing principle, for which its advocates ought and will contend to the bitter end.

We call attention to the advertisement of Real Estate Agency by Messrs. R. M. Guy and L. Waddell, Jr. The idea of establishing such an agency is new for Staunton, but we think a very good one. Mr. Guy is well known in the county as an honorable gentleman, and we can assure any one who may wish to place their business in his hands, that it will be promptly and well attended to. Mr. Waddell is well known as the junior editor of the "Spectator." We feel great hesitation in recommending a Know Nothing editor to the public, but we will venture the assertion that the one in question has reached the highest stage of honesty and intelligence to which Know Nothingism is capable. We do hope the prevailing prejudice again his calling will not impair his personal prosperity.

This mill, which has been in operation but a short time, promises to be a prosperous and useful enterprise, both to the stockholders and the people of this and the surrounding counties. A Steam Mill at this central point, situated on the Railroad, which will eventually extend to the Ohio, thus bringing all the produce of Western Virginia, on its way to market, through Staunton, will prove a powerful rival to the Richmond Mills, if the stockholders could find it in their power to compete in prices with Richmond. We were informed by one of the proprietors that out of sixty-five bushels of wheat deposited at this mill, fourteen barrels of extra- superfine flour, or a fraction over 4 1/2 bushels to the barrel were produced to the customer, after deducting the miller a toll. This speaks well both for the excellence of the mill and the wheat.

Some how or other we have neglected heretofore to notice the determination of our "City Fathers" to light up the town with gas.

We are delighted at this, and congratulate our citizens on the opportunity they will soon have to walk the streets of dark nights without imminent risk of breaking necks or limbs.

We think the town owes a lasting debt of gratitude to Messrs. Waterhouse & Bowes, the gentlemanly, liberal-minded contractors, for the energetic manner in which they have prosecuted this work.

A terrific storm, accompanied by an unusual amount of thunder and lightning, passed over Staunton on Friday last. Mr. E. M. Cushing's house was struck by the lightning, but no farther damage done than a hearty scare to himself and family. We regret to learn that a valuable young negro man belonging to Mr. Washington Swoope was struck dead by a stroke of lightning early in the evening.