Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1820-02-17

oeion8eu 10 Inc moon, or was given up
to the residence of bears, tigers aud
other wild beasts. In his speech he de-
MED the authority of this government TO
acquire Louisiana in the manner in which
II had been obtained.
Disdaining to assume the mask of pre-
tended religion, morality, or humanity,
or calculating TO gain greater advantages
by throwing OFT all disguise, he openly
ana boldly treated the subject as a mere
question of political power, and conteud-
ed that no hind Of interest ought 10 recon-
CHE the people of the north to, part
inveiehed against that Inequality OF re-
presentation which is pretlicaied upon
our slave population, and exclaimed,
place ireemen by The side OF ireemen,
and We are willing 10 go all lengths with
YOU"
lie disclaimed all authority 10 impose
The restriction. from any other clause or
part of the constitution but that which
declares that 'Congress NAV admit new
states into this Union, expressly admit
ting that all other parts of thai ins,ru-
ment were iuapplicable, Notwithstanding
he himself had commended for the restric-
ton upon another clause, in q pamphlet
purpor'lng 10 be the substance of Two
speeches which lie delivered lasi session,
bal which Is not only very different from,
but IN some important parts in direcI OPP
position To those speeches, Que of which
was actually made 10 demonstrate that
such was the nature of properly in slaves,
maj Congress could not -righiiulIy inter
ierr III the manner proposed with The
children hereafter To he born of such
slaves. de succeeded in defeating tina,
part al Tie proposition, and the Journals
VIII EXHIBIT his vote upon the subject.
Apparently determined not to be out.
done by Mr.. Clinton or his friends, two
OF whom (amOng the most conspicuous.
had commended IN the Legislature of New
York that slavery did not exist in the u.
States, and that the Supreme Court you'd
so decide. Mr.. King commended that the
constitution of the United States had no,
sanctioned slavery; that il had omly for
borne To interfere with il, and that if there
had been no attempt TO tolerate il beyond
the limits OF the old thirteen, he would
have iorbOrn to express his sentiments
upon the subject, but declaring with his
peculiar emphasis, that las purpose ,cas
fred, he said that one man could not
make slave of another, that "A plurality
OF individuals could not do so and for
The same reason communities, however
organized conld not do 1t, that all laws
or compacts imposing such condition
upon any human being we're absolutely
void, because contrary 10 the law of ma
lure, which was the law of God, and
above all human control; that these
principles had been affirmed in tile case
of Semmerset in England, and that simi
lar Judicial decisions had been made I'm
Massachusetts, and think in some other
northern siale-and he minated in Ian
guage TOO distinct 10 be misunderstood.
that 1t was not less the duty, Than the
rishI, OF Tins nation, TO maintain those
principles.
He declared that if The restriction did
moi prevail, the northern people ought
mol 10 submit, and That as one of the
original parties 10 the compact, he felt
himself Ill honor bound 10 resist. All of
which lie expressed, not as ebulitons of
passion, but as the settled and deliberate
determination OF a mind, stedfastIy fixed
upon the accomplishment OF lis object.
HIS friends, as we'll as those WHO are
opposed to the restriction, were equally
surprised by The undisguised boldness of
his views. No one expected TO hear as
much from him-and if am not greatly
mistaken, several of his most intelligent
friends are as much at a loss as we are,
to penetrate his uIiimate ~Lj~-.t. Thsy
could not account for his determination
10 renew the discussion, at the time, and
under the circumstances which he select
ed-all thought il unreasonable and mop
perfume, and some suppose il 10 have
proceeded from some new councils with
friends lately arrived.
1t is known that during The past sum-
mer lie visited Massachusetts, &c. il is
suspected that much al the excitement
in that section OF country has emanated
from his conduct, and that his speech
may be Intended as the watch word for
the commencement of the measures which
lie and his associates may have deter
mined upon.-i am constrained TO believe
that if he sees that he cannot be presi-
dent of these u S. I've would prefer 10 be
the first man in new cOnfederacy to be
formed out of Nav York, New England,
&c. His policy evidently must be TO
keep the Missouri question suspended
for another year, that he may derive
every possible advantage from The excite
ment If is so well calculated 10 produce.
Ii he can be made president, which ia pro-
badly his first object, he may be willing
TO preserve the Union.
The crisis is indeed most inauspicious
one, and nothing but the prudence and
wisdom of practical men can avert the
dangers Which it threatens. II either
party completely triHmphs il is much to
be feared that the other will not submit
and | am penetrated with The deepest
regret and horror al seeing that Too many
on both sides view disunion with so lit
lie repugnance. Your Virginians yielding
TO the dictates of a pride natural TO such
high-miuded people, are 100 apt 10 over
look consequences; however noble this
may be in individuals acting for them
selves, it is dangerous for politician 10
uield himsalf I'm in lhe INDULGENCE of