Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1821-01-02

f;'is obicei.cn the answer I, obvious :-,ie
eon,fiiatiD. OF i:Sei, dscs not opeia;e .s n l.,.
aud ths far pre- ,u'npti,n IS, thai The law viii
cOnf"im ~ the provisions "a ihr c.ns.tsuttnu
OF the Unian; aud n a should rnl the ,stn.tl,
which each individusi may seek iS oi,-r IA ms
AZ IN every other ca-~. /, II a ala M al IA =.
the ictie, OF III, constitution asda n, inysr. ncr
The Iaw) b"iug Inconsistent MD, The coust,tp
ton at The United States aud the sc, oI All
ni>sion requiring IL, sb"nr NOT, be fsrn.,,at.t
Ia that instrument. IL nniiiies ih,. whole
instrument and imposes an obii- alien OF Con
cresS 10 reject the application OF lhr State.
To my miud nothin. appetrA moe clear li,an
that even admitting the prem. .es III, fl.eicnc.
Is un!ousded.
consider this principie inconirove, ti5st
that Congress ~ admitting the state at Mis-
souri, into the Uni0n upon al 'qnii 70 tsu..
with the Original states. IN al respects u.hatyo.
erer. extends over the people ot INA state
Tue dominion Of the Constitution and laws OF
Tue United 81 ue>-ant the people themselves
ny soliciting aud accepting ihe grant, voluntd-
riis and freely reiinquisiI every provision IN
Their state constitution aud iaw, itpusnant 10
that tnstrunpnI
eau riintiple IL more cl ar. or AN inter-
enc" more just 2-Wnsuce m. proprciy e.
cnniinned controversy with tneSe people a
why eAa>I crate feelings already wounded by
cSiay. objections aud perhaps conditions de
cfidiu: TO portion of onr fellow eittzeu>-
uniess, ii|eed, IL Is the object TO create "A spi-
RI wh.ch viii equally spurn your tavUts or
threats! Men inisiakiu. the constltuiiOua Al pow.
ers OF ConSress al the commencement of tins
discussion, may have tell real enthusiasm IN
thei' efforts In arrest what they considered
g'eat nlDrdt and political cvii-but IL Is diff
chlt Ia inia-iae The same zeal can be excited
10 sprfdd TINS evit IN lis worst form aud we
are driven TO other considerations tor its soIu-
tion II II does exist. The object 10 be accom-
pii>hed is :oD Insignificant aHd the me siis aie
TOO questionable to Justify the serious cnnsc-
qdences which may follow. l, is doing great
inJus,ice 10 this subject BY treating IL. as osei
local IN its nature HE whole cOuntryts deep.
~ concerned III the aiHicabie aud speedy ter
mlnatiOn OF ~, aud conscientiOusiy believe
Missouri will mcverentet the Union upon ANY
other terms or conditions than these graDted
TO The gi+ai states. l am equally satisfied
that the government will not attempt force TO
coerce her. The people of this country ave
not prepared TO shed blood IN such cause,
anu their rulers sill pause before they cail
upon them 10 render snch service. Why /
again repeat, persevere IN "A contest which ca,
Dong forth nothing but bitter fruit 49,. 1,
there amy section OF this country, which can
by possibility gam any advantage from II I'll
nave always regarded The dIsnnnu OF these
states the greatest possible misfortune -untli
lately this sentiment has been so naiyersai
that II was sGpertlnous TO argue II; out lat
terIH specuiating politicians have busted them
selves with calculations, adjusting with so
much nicely how muc,i less one section or the
country would lose than another, that many
have overlooked how much the rhoie would
lose.
As long as the government of the United
States administered according TO the tue
sliIu OF the constitution no portion oil the
Union can be injured by il, coriinuance or
eftension-let no power be exe,cised or aSSum
ed but whai fairly aud clearly tends 20 defend
III against oreixn "hiions, keep the stafeS at
peace WITH one another, distribute GGa mai
equally thi oughout the country, sud place the
commercial intercourse OF Tie states upon The
most periec' footing of recipror ttv. rhis is
Tue Whole business OF The general government;
TO ihs extent every state will support u, ana
u" Injury can arise which Will not he speedily
corrected by the general good sense of the
Country Upon ali other subjects the local
auihoity must operate aud can never he mo-
Tested by the opinions or customs of other
states Ii IN TO give peace among ourselves
aud safety from abroad that / cling 10 the
Union, not that think we could not defend
ourselves from our neighbours. Without euu-
metaiing all the consequences TO the noriheIn
states, would ask whether they could meet
TO participate more bSnrficIally in thp trade
and commerce of This continent by neyoclat
Ing terms with separate communities ihdn
they do at this time III no, why shall they
quarrel with their fellow cItizeus 10 the south
and west, Who have always beenready 10 max
amy sacrifice which the honor OF the country
requires"