Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-02-14


cIety, they are tjeemen-ctizcns, rot
slGres. They nave a claim 10 that free
dom IL this asylum OF liberty. These
sentiments, sir, commenced with my eX-
lsience: advanced with my youth were
strengthened with my manhood and are
confirmed with my age. Ihcy are not
only mine, but universally The sentiments
at these whose confidence and affection
have exalted me la this honorable station.
Shall not speak their sentiments on this
occasion? Shall rot desire the terln-
nation OF slavery 1t is Il duty, sir,
owe 10 myself, my country, and my God.
That respectable section of The nation
which have the honor TO represent, has
d right TO demand il at my hand.
When examine this resolution, sir,
am unable TO discover why any objection
should be made. In passing it, we 60 moi
say ne believe it is expedient 10 amend
=" the laws of the United States on The
subject OF thc African slave trade;" nor
that we Will enter into any Concert
with other nations for lis euiire abolii;-
ON" But, sir, we say, we are willing TO
instruct Il respectable committee To exam
me these subjects, i'll all their parts and
bearings, as 10 The erpedi.ncy of the OBJ
jects suggested, and report TO the Senate,
which report witt then be under the per-
feet control of this body. The Senate
may then approre or disdpprore, as lis MIS-
dom may dictate. Where then is the diff
fculiy! For myself, sir, am in favor ri
the resolution. Permit me TO assign 4 few
reasons. Ii Is founded, III part nn an ar
licie oi the treaty of Client. The words
are as follows: Whereas, the traffic in
slaves is inconsistent With ihe principles oi
humanity and justice. and whereas boliI
his Majesty and the United States are de
srous of continuing their efforts to pro-
mole lis entire abolition, il is hereby "a
greed, that both the contracting parties
shall use their best cndeavOrs 10 accom-
pllsh SO desirable AN object" In this,
SIR, there Is nothing very specific, as TO
the manner i'll which their desires shall be
manifested. But the contracting parties
view the traffic in slaves Inconsistent
with the principles of humanity and JUS
tice, and, therefore, agree To use " their
best endeCUoyS" to effect lis abolition. Ho,o
this Is 10 he accomplished, is another point
They mas have different views, and, con
sequeniy. each may pursue different
course. Therefore, sir. am perfectly
willing 10 submit the subject to the inves-
tigailon OF the committee, that they may
report Tier on.
The abolnion OF slavery was coniem-
plated by the trainers of our constitution.
Sec. 8. . The migration or Importation OF
such persons as any OF the states now eX
listing, shall think proper To aduit, shall
not be prohibited by the Congress prior
TO The year 1905" Here, sir, we sec those
venerable sages prospectivcly viewed The
period i'll whcl we live, VIII, IL Congress
should manifest disposition 10 abolish
The slave trade. Wise provision! a duty
negatively expressed. A provision, sir,
which has given rise 10 disposition that
peryades the United States, pursue and
faccomplis.I the benevolent object. Nay,
| sir, il IS not confined 10 The u. States II
extends TO almost every civilized nation
on the globe. a spirit OF pbilanthrophy
glows in the human breast. Spain and
| Portugal are the only nations now averse
| TO the object. The views of Spain, in all
| probability, will soon accord with those
Of other nations. Then Portugal will be
| the solitary kingdom whose voice and arm,
are not raised against this inhuman traf-
| fic. Let us proclaim, sir, that these sable
| mortais have claim upon our philan-
| thropy and our benevolence.
| lam in favor of the resolution, sir, be-
| cause its object COMFORTS with the die
tates of reason and humanity. Though
black, they are human beings, Ill human
| shape. That is not their c'ime, but their
misfortune. We then ought 10 commiSer'Gte,
| not enSlaUe them. Let ererticMs be made
| 10 raise them from their present state OF
| degradation; assist III the mighty work.
| Every hItman affection recoils al their bon
dage. May every benevolent heart beat
! high for their freedom, and every human
arm, be extended for their emancipation.
II is cause, sir, in which the wOrtd is eiI-
gagged. As ii was commenced by the u.
States, let them continue their efforts
LET Congress say, with all civilized nations,
they will ioyfully bear part to accom-
plish an object so desirable, so humane.
But, sir, am in favor OF the resolution
in a political point of view. Carry the
great design into effect, and you place
those iorlorn objects within the reach OF
political and moral instruction..
The basis on which every gOOd govern
ment most firmly stands, is knowiedge and
virtue. Difluse and cxtend these sacred
principles, and you enlarge the basis on
which your government is built; and, lu
Tie same proportion you carry the princi-
pies of liberty and The rights of man TO
those who grope in darkness, you aid IN
the emancipation of those who are bound
III the chains of deSpoiism. Virtue aud
Knowledge, sir, are the firm foundation
ON which this mighty republic is erected;
on which it rises aud on which it will con-
time TO rise, so long as those divine prin-
ciples are nourished, universally ditl'used
aud practiscd This is what asiOnishes
foreigners when they tread American
ground. All classes Of society can read
and write, can name and give The charac-
iers of our rulers, tie principles of our
constitution, The genius Of our govern
'neni, and fle nature of our laws. This
was the reason. sir. FRANCE could moi