For none of Virginia's grievances nor those of her slaveholders
against the Abolitionists was secession a cure. Within the Union and
under the _Ægis_ of the constitution was to be found her surest
defense against all their assaults. By secession she would surrender
her interest in the territories and all claim of right to introduce
slaves therein. By secession she would forfeit all the benefits of the
Fugitive Slave Law. By secession she would lose the strong arm of the
National Government to defend her against assaults, whether by lawless
bands or the legislative enactments of hostile states. Even with
respect to servile insurrections her withdrawal from the Union would
in no way abate the danger but only lessen her power to cope with the
problem. John Brown and his band were captured by United States
soldiers and the flag of the Union carried protection to the inmates
of every lonely manor house and cabin throughout her borders, whether
menaced by the slaves themselves or the emissaries of those who
plotted against her peace. Of all these facts the Abolitionists had
the profoundest appreciation. Hence for years they advocated disunion
as a condition precedent to the attainment of their great end—the
abolition of slavery.
-----
Footnote 306:
_Stonewall Jackson_, Henderson, Vol. I, p. 122.