Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1820-05-12
GOVERNOR MOLCOTT.

The Legislature of Connecticut mct OIL
The Sd instant and speech was deliver
ed bp Governor WOlco;t, Of which 2-3ds
are occupied by formal discussion OF
The Missouri Question. We have no wish
t. deTOga'e from The merits of this disiin
guishea individual nor is ii without pain
that we find fault with speech, whicl; is
said 10 " do bonor 10 his head and 10 his
heart, and adds lustre 10 his character as
Man and as a Christian" (Pouison's
Phil d. Adu.) II is speech, however,
whicb, whether we consider The man, the
matter, or the season, fills us with regret
The Governor begins with bringing 20
The view Of the legislature certain dec
laTaii0ns OF The commonwealth of Vir
gluia," which he had received for the
purpose of being submi,ted"io their con
slderaiion. He adds that preliminary
measures have been adopted for admit
ling tie territory Of Missouri a member
OF the u. s. on terms which will doubt
less be acceptable 10 Virginia, but accom-.
panied With declaration by Congress
that slavery shall }orerer remain inter.
dicted III all tlc territory Of tie u. States
north OF SO degrees and 30 minutes oil
north latitude, thereby asserting principle,
the validity of which is denied by the
state of Virginia" He observes, "as the
decision OF this question must powerfully
influence the condition of society in all
| future ages, and as every freeman ought
TO form decided opinion upon this sub
Ject, cannot foTbear 10 present 10 yOuI
view sonie OF the consequences, which IN
my opinion, must follow from Tie exten.
sion or diffusion OF slavery III these states >
lie then enters into an examination OF
flioa W f.fSs lela 4 a.
/ tempt ought 10 be made TO " effect any
change IN the adjusted relations OF socie.
| ~ IN the states where slavery has been
already esiabIished"-but contends that
" tile bare permission OF slavery in new
state" would tend "to disturb the na,ura
| equality which would otherwise exist be
| tween the states, aud also between al
! free citizens" and therefore conceives i
" far more reasonable, even on the princi
| pie OF that strict aud literal CONSTRUCTION
OF the delegated powers for which Virai
MA contends, 10 require in The conslilu
ion an express authority 10 tolerate tie
/ extension OF slavery, rather than from
The mere absence OF any express direction
To thai effect 10 infer the want of powe
10 prohibit such extension, IN deT0gaiio
OF The fundamental rights and principle
which u was clearly the great object @
the constitution TO secure ~ pcrpctuale.
Mr.. w. contends, that the federal com
pact not only torbids the exercise olson
powers, " but is imperative in requrn
the performance of certain duties an
may as eHeciuaIIy be violated b. mer
negligence and nOn,executiou, as by IN
nsurpailon of powers not delegated, q
reserved TO the states or to the people
Among these, the guarantee OF a rcput
iican form OF government is Of vital 10
poriance." He contends That this yves
conservative power OUer all the state.
not only to guard the states again
the enterprises OF mOnarcbical auth,
riy. Which are most oppressive Ia u
: rich and powerful but 10 protect 81
: peop'e against the masked batteries
dri>iocracy, whlch Ought 10 be cdna
" dreaded by 'lie pos and defacsiss