Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1820-01-06

NJ power 10 congress 10 violate the
sanctty OF our state Institutions. II
gives NO power Ia Congress In sit in
Judgment upon our re@ubiicauism. Tie
clause M question gires no poDer al oil. II
VAS not intended as grant of power,
nor has 1t any feature of such IA graft. IL
imposes an obligation on the u. States
II gives them nothing. II was intended To
give 10 every stale The RICH; to demand
the protection Of their power against
usurpaiion and tyranny, as well as against
torelga INVASION aud domestic vIoemce.-
II contemplated tie possibility that the
liberties OF a state might be ciuveu down
by some ambitious Caesar, or some cant
ing Cromwell, but for the ample shield
which federal power nigh, in,erpose bui
IT never did intend 10 give To The federal
government, the dangerous and arbitrary
right ot scanning Tie provisions of our
constitution AMI striking from its PAGE
Whatever NIGH, BE- offensive 10 their taslp,
or Inserting whatever might be gratifying
10 HER views. We do not huii orr IL
ber'y-ihe right OF iormin. our own
government, by 50 irail tenure The
states are not TO be extended on Tins novel
bed of Prncus,es
Bu, though we should admit this maui
s!iorlal power IN the United States, at
which every man with just sentiments OF
liberty must revolt, il would be iar from
maintaining the extraordinary preiepsion
OF right in Congress To prohibit domes-
Tic slavery in Missouri For if il be
essential TO tie fnlfilmeni of this guaran
tee, that domestic slavery should be
prohibited in state, then would the
Congress ofthe United States be ju;tltied
IN AN immediate abolition OF domestic
slavery throughout the southern states
since, as original contracting parties,
they were the peculiar objects OF this
guarantee. But surely if there be politi-
cal Qulxnites, whoswould madly sengage
in breaking, all at once, the bonds of tins
dangerous population, there is no states.
man OF the days Of the formation of The
constitution, who will venture TO assert,
that the abolition of domestic slavery
Was considered, in those times, as essen
ilLl 10 The suitilment of this guarantee OF
republican constitution. So far from
contemplating the general emancipation
OF our slaves, the federal constitution
mol only recognizes our rights as masters,
but secures 10 us their enjoyment. II
provides Tor their recovery within other
jurisdictions, and graduates our repre-
sen'aiion upon principles, pre- supposing
'heir Continuance In bondage. How
extraordinary then the attempt, TO justify
Tie demands upon Missouri, by a clause
IN the constitution, which woeId, with
equal reason, warrant Congress in re
curing the abolition of domestic slavery
throughout The southern states
Another clause in the constitution has
been cited IN support of the pretensions
OF Congress, by gentleman whose vene-
rabie age, and profound constitutional
learning, give weight and consequence 10
his opinions, even among those who
have not Locked with IA favorable eve
npon the political character of his life
lie has referred The power commended for
TO that clause OF The constitution which,
declares HAT The migration or impor.
taiion OF SUI h persons as any of the
states now existing, shall tnink proper
to admit, shall not be prohibited by the
Congress prior 10 the year 1908; bui
lax or duty may be imposed on such
Importation, not exceeding ten dollars
for each person."
III woHId I'LL become me TO attempt 10
present IN another dress the able argu
menls which have Just been offered Ia
the public by distinguished WRITER in
support of the position that the term
TO free persons only and No, f. sIavss
| should but diminish the force of ,hosn
considerations WHICH, have already hcen
presented in iI,rir most favorai,Is l,ght
Bur | NAV be urrmj,,ed to aid in rrier.
ence 10 The olieci of this nrov;s;on 2
single remark. Al the adoniion Of The
constitution. with an extensive and
ihinly settled territory If was the des,rn
of lhe states 10 hermit for a Gmi,ed
| period. the in,rodur,inn fran, abroad of
| that species of Iahour which the n.inre
OF their respective nursmIs and insti,u.
tons seemed ua1ur,jIy tn r.ou,rc tbs