Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1820-01-08

| wv" VI slavery. lHe proposition came
on suddenly, unexpectedly, In the shape
OF an amendment. Instead of being
brought before the house and tie nation.
IN torn that would have given time for
inquiry, and reflection, upon the mos,
important topic that has been discussed
since The adoption of the constitution. III
Was offered IN The house as AN amend
meni Ia bill on lis passage.
Mr. King n must be observed speaks of
feelings that will be excited. Whether
they ought 10 be excited is another uues
ton. OF which Mr.. King very properly
keeps clear. Statesmen reason on what
men are. The following indications
of feeling il is supposed are strong
enough 10 make the boldesi pause The
debates IN Congr, SIS would exhibit have
no doubt many more; but tor me these
are enough: more than enough.
]. a member irom Georgia, warned
the advocates Of the measure, against
The certain effects which, il must pro
duce-cfi, cts a, siruciiye of tn, peace
and harmony of The Union. He be.
iicved that they were kinilirg fire
which all the waters OF the ocean could
moi cAilnguish. II couid he ertineiisIied
ohtg an bfoOd" This belifv We To he true;
but meant only 10 call the attention TO
The tact that these words were uttered
=. A member from New York, The
mover OF the amendment, used the fol-
iowmgeXpresslons:
SIR, II dissolution of the Union must
lake place, LET IT BE so II civil
war which genti men so much threaten,
must COM, can only say, why let al
come" Again. " II blood necessary
10 ex'ieguish amy fine which have as
sisted 10 kindle, can assure nilemen
while regret the necessity, STALL not
iorbear TO contribute nv mite"
] make no comment on Language like
this. My object IN queiipg IL is merely
10 shew tina, feelings had been already
called up, poriending nothing less than
civil wa aud disunion.-ln defiance OF
these feelings, i, is yet cxpy dien,, SAYS
Mr. KING, 10 80 OH ! That they had been
thus exrrcd. MIR. King knew, or ought 10
have known
Tho same member, whose words
Viii not permit myself To repeat, not
content with the conuiiInn of his own
state Ia being exempt from all Impuiaiion
III relation 10 Internal slavery, speaks az
The STAN, the stigma on The country, pro-
duced by the existence of slavery in the
southern states. Their cOu,iuct Is men
TONED III terms OF the bliteresi roproba
ton, "llcvla'ed hun ever by The most lofi,
and wri!-iurned compllmt nj ia the ludivi.
| duals 81 the South
HE language of member (irom n. II.
| perhaps Is equally unieolins and insult
| ing lie represents the people of the
South a. holding the souls as we'll as the
| bodies OF slaves in bondage.
| a great deal more Of the same SORT might
easily be collected from the debates in
| Congress What have quoted is enough
| II II be proper TO stir question, the bare
| mention OF which cXriirs feelings Of tnIS
| descriptions. and language like this, and
| leads 10 consequences, from The cuniem-
plallon OF which the true patriot rrlires
with horror YES, If il be proper, there Is
some hiddeH circumstance, some secret
consideration, of which The people are
| not apprlsed, and OF which they ought 10
| be informed.
But there are indications of feelings,
which Notwithstanding MIR. Kings pro
found reserve and caution, pOrlend no,h.
! ing bui confusion IN the u States, and
| humlIIation and misery To the whole slave
holding country. Ii Mr.. King has OBJ.
served these direful portents, il is won
deriul that he has not as a lover of his
country, pointed them out as objects
worthy OF The most serious attention il
hr has not observed them, his advice, his
opinion, in what he calls this branch of
| the enquiry, Is not worthy of his age, his
| character, and his high standing in So
ciety.
hare been and am an observer of the
signs OF the times.
The first fact indicating feeling of a
very high toned character, which claims
our attention and most serious Considc
ration, Is tlie resolutions adopted by the
citizens VI the town and county of ST.
LOUIS, vino met on the 10Th Nav last, in
consequence of the recommendation of
The Grand Jury OF the Superior Court
Their object was TO take INTO cOnsidera-
ton The very measure advocated by MIR.
King
The paper which contains the resnli of
ihr deliberations and resolves OF this
meeting also announces the opinions of
he citizens OF Montgomery county. In
both meetings, the opinion of the people
Is The same, and they manifest the most
entire conviction that they are right, as
they surely are-and the most rcsOiuie
determination 10 act ~ conformity t0that
conviction + They manifest a little more
They shew very clearly thai The people oi
Missouri understand the constitution ul
that country, from which they are so III
Justly excluded, and the treaty Of 1903,
better, much better, than tie people IN
some of HE old 10 states.
II recolIe I rightly, the delegate from
HAT territory, has in the face of the ma
ton, announced TO Congress, during The
present session, the determination Of his
constituents, 10 make a constitution for
themselves, by their own authority, un-
less Congress shall pursue as to them the
ordinary course. 10 saying this, he says
what they have reSoired.
With this evidence of feeling and oil