Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1819-11-23

nearer 10 the south. The fact that these
societies exist, Is of itself sufficient evil
dence that the evil which you so bitterly
denounce rs moi viewed with indifference
here. Whether these societies will not do
Infinitely more harm than good, (3) is a
question which belongs moi to This dis
cussion, but well deserves the attention of
every man who feels the smallest solci'ude
Tor The future peace and safety OF his
country a.
Gentlemen, grant me your patience
have yet much 10 say on this subject.
You are right. Nations are TO be rank.
ed according TO their wisdom and their
virtue" This is most truly said and wr.
moi meaning Virginians only, but The
people OF America, are willing TO be mea-
sured and tried by the standard which
you have yourselves erected.
go What the opinion OF The Senate of Vir-
gina is on this point may be inferred from the
fact, OF their refusing to direct their clerk 10
furnish the Colonization Society of Washing
ton with copy OF a correspondence which
the House of Delegates had Is wears ago per.
mtted to be made public. The cote, il is said
was 10 TO 2 The opinion of the state of Viz
gnia. so often and so eXultipsly referred TO,
is misunderstood. In due time this facts on
which this opinion is founded will be laid be-
fore the public.
4) Particularly of the members of The Co.
lonizatlop Societies whom do not mean 10
offend by addressing them III this incidental
and collateral way. ] shall pay my respects TO
them openly aud directly as soon as have
leisure. As that leisure may not soon arrive,
they will pardon for entresiiHg them to
examine attentIvely. i'll The mean time, the
history Of al. the humane schemes that have
ID en- prog cted, tTom the era Of Peter the
Hermit down 10 MIR Wiiberiorce aud the pre-.
sent day, and TO say whether, IN nine cases out
OF ten, these schemes have not either failed or
produced mlschiets unforeseen. or increased
ihe very evil they were lstended 10 relieve. [
beg leave 10 assure them, that they will ind
tht enquiry extremely interesting, and its re-
salt precisely such as have Suggested
would respectfully entTeat them also to
Destow Few moments In considering whether
the distinction which they are perpeiually
bringing into view, between The sldye-holdiug
states and the other states, is not calculated
TO weaken the bond OF uaiou among them aud
| OF Course TO impair the very source of our
national strength aud prosperity.
wonld entreat them further to consider
| whether the exclusion OF the people of Missouri
from an equality of rights with every other
member OF the Union, Hpon principles which
our iederstive system must condemn, and
| which humanity has no cause 10 approve, is
not an occurrence fairly imputatable 10 that
spirit, sometimes indeed pure but often mix =
ed; sometimes really benevolent, bnt some.
| times selfish, and sometimes puritanical ;
which Ill e ms titutiOn and public Of oceedinys OF
such societies calculated 10 cherish and
| promote. When look at this question and lis
consequences, must say that the az is raised
| 10 stTlke at the root of our naiioral happiness.
Ii IL descend, we are undone forever
| The ecclesiastical members of these socie-
| ties, who, Instead of combining themselves "a
! their ministerial functions at home 20 abont
/ seeking, by their activity and zeal in rubiC
! missions aud agencies a crown of worldiy To-
| ry, are respectfully invited 10 consdei whether
| their attention ought no: to be exclusivel,
! devoted 10 those serions duties, the peifor
| nance OF which leaves them no time TO attend
| 10 secular concerns, even when they have been
! prepared for them, as they very seldom ere
| byprpiimlnary studies. WHAT has been, ilrI-
| rudy, the condition of man kind when they hav
hdu the Dir, ciIon of affairs 1 will not press
/ thisInterrogatOn farther. My ad vice TO them
offered i'll all humility, is, " touch not. t4st,
not, handle not. This doctrine is emphdticallS
incuicated by the consultation of Vir.in; a
which declares all mlDisiers of the gospel TO
be incapable OF holding "a seat in the leyisla.
| ture, or in the council.