Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1820-02-03
DEsULToRY OBSERVATIONS ON THE
MISSOURI QUESTION.
To the Editor OF the Enonire,

10 ire Gdft0r OF the Enquirer.
SIR,-UpOn opening this manuscript,
should you be alarmed at the prospect of
a tedious examination, III all It's details,
of a question which has already been so
ably discussed in your paper, and which
at this moment Is under The considera-
tiom Of the assembled wisdom of the ma
,ional legislature, your apprehensions
will be groundless. IL is our intention
TO offer only some desulIory observations
OIL This interesting and comprehensive
subject, which might moi necessarily, or
perhaps properly, be included in regu.
lar and systen,aiical investigation. They
may serve perhaps as relaxation To your
e., from The perus"l IT more elabo.
rate AID profoumd elucida'ions and may
also, we hope, contain some suggestions
not altogether unworthy OF serious con-
sideraiion.
Every arrival of intelligence brings us
nfw and striking proofs of the deep in
teresi, and keen senslblhty, which is telf
in every part of our Union, with regard
10 the issue OF tins extraordinary question.
tat II Is truly extraordinary, We could
scarcely have "a more striking proof, ,han
that the legislatures OF two of the largest
states in ia" Union, who have had il un-
der consideration, have come, almost
unanimously, To quite opposite conclu-
sioRs. II il we're a question of general
state policy, Tie benefits or evils o! which,
might be fell in all parts of the Uuion;
II II were question OF constitutional
construction, III which all The states
were equally concerned, We might be con-
tent TO leave the discussion 10 our poll
iical agents, and the decision TO the inav
JorIy of our national representatives,
who, IN such case, could not iniure
oar interest, or endanger our rights, with
out mourning the like injury and danger
themselves. In cases like these, when
measure Is adopted, experience and re-
hection soOH test lis merits, and The gee
neral interest and safely OF AN enlighi eDed
nation confirm, or annul IL accordingly.
Bul widely different indeed is The nature
OF the present question; for whatever
collateral and prospective interest The
Union generally, may claim i'll the con-
sequences of the measure that NAV grow
Oui OF IL, its immediate and most Impor-
tant consequences are certainly local 10
particular sections of the Union, as The
iOcai conduct of The different states
clearly eviHces.
On all former occasions of The discus
sion Of great national questions, the con-
tests bave been principally between those
who are designated the inS and tie outs !;
between those who were on The rigbt
hand, and those who were on The left. of
the administration. But now, il is between
those who are on the right hand, and
those who are on the left hand, of
the Capitol. Our constitution is now 10
be locally expouuded, and the parties
have arrayed themselves accordingly.
We see the nation divided into two great
semicircles, on question which rouses
and agitstes n, from It's centre to every
point in its crcum ference. One side
presses It's perpose, with the activity and
eageTDess Of hope, in pursuit. Of some
most desirable and iavourlfe object: and
We shall see the other resist IL, with The
vigOur and obstiUacy Of despair contend
ing with lis mortal enemy.
But The particular Circumstance we
have mentioned, as giving 10 this ques-
lion lis extraordinary character, presents
at The same time, the greatest obstacles
10 an enlightened and candid invesiiga-
ton, and 10 a wise and equitable deci-
sion. In our Political struggles hereto
fore, there was always considerable
mixture, and conirarIely OF sentiments,
in all tie different paris OF the Union
Our opinions were then controlled, at
least in some degree by reason, by vari.
Gus and doubtful interests, by political
prejudices, or personal attachments and
bosriites. There was then room Tor the
display aud influence OF strength Of ar
gumeni, force Of eloqueuce, and political
ssgaciiy and activity. Bni there is too
much reason 10 fear, thai The decision of
Tie present question depends on very
different circumstances. One may trace
The division Of opinion, wilh his tinger.
on map. We are divided i,y a geogra
phicsl line into two great, and almost
completely separated parties. or rather
porIf0HS dud Ne are tO be weighed
ILL.,.