Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1820-03-03
CONGRESS.
tReporfed for The National JntelGgercey.
DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
ON THE MISSOURI BILL.
THURSDAY, JANU-4RYaT


The constitution, as every one Knows, is the
effect Of compromise. The compromise on
this subject was not yielding up by the
North in Representations as an equivalent for
direct taxation. II was not expected that this
odious mode of obtaining revenue wonld be
often resorted to. Slaves were property but
they were human beings They had some but
few, political rights secured TO them by the
laws of their states One side as rule OF
representations, contended for their tail emu
ieratiop ; and the other tor their entire ex
ciusiOn. Ii ended in a compromise. which
embraced threGstifthS. II was a compact, and
we are bound by IL and ii il was a bad or a
good bargain. j will neither complain of il on
the one hand nor boast OF il on the other.
Hut u does appear To me, sir That this meas
IRE, on the grouHd of representation, is mis-
taken policy. We wish TO diminish the infu-
rnce of this mighty people. rising in the West.
Tie representatives of Missouri are one day
10 form local balance against a state in the
East. Population is according To the : means
oi eXistence"-thc amount of productive labor :,
Five slaves will occupy space which wOuld
supply eight free persons, while those slaves
would be entitled to only three.eighihs OF the
| amount of representation and yet the people
0f n ew England, governed by a mistaken ma
tlonal policy, woud add this among the reasons
for inhibiting slaves in Missouri.
It's extremely unfortunate that reasons like
this, inducing an enqHiry into the equity of
the basis OF the constitution, and calculated
TO excite geographical distinctions and jealous
House 1t is not improbable that there are IN
| this, well as in every other government
| meu watching every favorable opportunity for
change.
Ifthis subject did not originate in motives
| OF ambition, ii a political Scheme va, not the
cause, il may be the effect of tins extraordina-
| ~ sensihilliy Ambitions desperate men may
| lake advantage OF popular excitement, and,
after all other schemes have failed them, sue
| coed by pI OduCiug. the worst ut all geogTa
| nhicaI diviainp nj md 4 GO IN NM n
! der its banners Aud. sir, IL is already wins
| pcred that this hobby did originate IN part
| OF the country very prolific in such produce
tious; that his blood is of differeAt kinds /;
| that he is claimed by men OF high standing and
| character hut of different complexions, feel
ings and sent m"uts, that they have neverthe-
| less agreed, as many as can, 10 inOunt him to-
| EetheY; that they arc jogging OH with great
| cordially and affection; and that tie head OF
| tile pOnyiS directed towards the CHAIR OF The
| general government This may be all suSpi-
! Cion but il no such case has yet occurred,
should the excitement be Kept up, aud the ma
| tuTe OF man remain what IL ever has been,
| such aud more Inischievous schemes will he
| produced discOTd will rear its head, and fac
! ton again mar our peace, paralize our prospe-
| rity. aud al last destroy OUT liberty
Tie people of the United States can have
but one interest Their ties are strong, and
their motives to union great. They have fought
and tIinmphed, suffered and prOspered toge.
thpr. There Is a constant dependence OF the
parts, indispensable to the liberty, greatness
and gloiy of the whole ITIHiug jealouMet
even are injurious to fair legislation. A feaI
that geographical division will receive more
than its share of profit or power will produce
a corresponding Jealousy. nntii every local OF
private oct will become a matter OF cOmpro-
mise and bargain. But an excitement whicl
divides tue United States ~ nearly cqua
halves is dangerous indeed. In such case
;ne raSsi0. sliage greater scope anbiiiOnsiroug
er inducements, and the intrigues of part
more pow etfuI temptations.
But this division is snguiaFly nniortunat C
II is the only subject in which the slave hOlh
ing states could be made to unite against tn
rest. Are the general interests OF DelaWar
, more united with those Of Georgia tia
Pennsylvania? Are the interests OF Obi
more cOiucident with Massachusetts tia
: Kentucky Sir. the hopes aud prospects .
the North and East are interviewer Win IN
prosperity of the South and West; aud y.
We have armed ourselves against them all:
is not with them a question OF p0hc
Of political power, but Of safety, peac
I ! cxistepce. They consider il az hssiening az
| provoking scenes ofinSurTsCtion aud massdcl
Their jealousy AID their sen-ibility are rouse
and they demand what motive. what Induc'
ment. you have 60 THIS They are answere
| humaniiy' IN the name Of humanity, desi'
She asks no such sscsifces siher altar. O.
ate iealuusies, heart -burnings and haired, s
4 brother against brother, kiHdle tie flames
civil dIscoTd, destroy lie Onion, AID your lbt
ties aTe gone. Aud lieu Whpte WiiiyCgT siaS