Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-04-25
Icy wFw- 7xxzu.-.
BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

"Peecn ol MT canning on Petitions for the
total abolition o! Negro Slapery--on the Ist
March.
am glad, sir, that the house is now in sn, noe
session OF those resolutions, which have been 60
unanimously agreed to; and as the honorable gentle
man mas SAID, that, on former occasion. I admit
ted state OF slavery TO be incompatible with tho
genus OF the British constitution, and the mild and
oenehcent spirit Of the Christian religion. I am
anxious TO say, how far admitted it, and in what
Ueeteel did not. Noman will pretend that state
oil slavery, talking of slavery in the abstract is
not In opposition to the genius of the British Con-
sttution' and the mild and beneiicent spirit of the
christian religion. But still, however incornpati-
o!e slavery may be with both, am not prenared
70 aihrm, nor do believe many other gentlemen
% fSk e at mai II st5se4g lis abolition
ment say we cannot effect it without Tho 60
ton OF gradual measures, and LOOKING slvSays 80
thoSe practical efforts the only safe course fo.
destroying condition disapproysd of b,, Ii,
and repudiated by the British Constitution e.
hot say That slavery must not be considered bos,il
20 Oosh' am unwilling TO discuss religious die.
tn0''Oiis III place where religion ought 10 be re-
IeEIeu 70 more than brought into Discussion 7
stated that the spirit of Christianity was ircos
tent with the existence of a state of slavery Tbo
iieve that the precept of prescribing that stale AZ
altogether unlawful, will no where be found in ga,
cleu authorities, because we know that slavery has
existed IN various times, and under various uodf
cations, In places most under the influence of d..
latin True that the mild spirit of Christianity s
oPposed' ana that most strongly, TO the dominion
'He master over me slave, but then the progress
OF moral Christian feeling is slow and uncer,si,,
IL Is dependent on the improvement of soci.tv and
IS erected by various circumstances all of which
would, however slowly, have given vyav Lerora
the power of Christianity, if the condition If sIa,.a
~ was declared by It tc be incompatible with ;,s
spirit or doctrine. The British constitution hoe
certainly declared that slavery is inconsistent viii
's SPIRIT Du' WINE II IS not permitted to exist with
IN any part OF the British dominions NJ homo =,
surely IS most true that the British Parlianen, bas
tolerated ITS existence elsewhere. But do I tba,o-
Iore' inier that 1t IS not our duty TO conform n
better principles, and the inlder dictates of tho
Christian Religion? Certainly donot. The bia
tory oil all nations proves the fact of slavery exis
ing under Governments, who, in other resnects
PTac'sed and respected the christian religion. and
merely mention this, not as the iristjfcatjn, -
the existence OF slavery, butte show that bo,.o-
repu9nant to its better and milder PRINCIPLES !, hoe
sun prevailed. The Hon. gentleman proposed a
series oil resolutions, without qualification. and
admitting Of no pause, while those which had Tho
honor OF submitting, and which finally supersedeJ
those OF the Honomable Gentlemen. ,vero ~ f,a
gradually put INTO execution, with measured cs,,-
nous, ana prudent hand; for / could not believe
80 ~ '''''''' VI just, 10 set up q DTIDciDle
winch would, at one blow. destroy sysiero ,yficL
religion tolerated and our constitution did No.,
overthrow did not feel disposed TO dos
troy interests which years had created -
single moment, but | was and / still an, -
clihed to effect the abolition of negro sIavsrv
By prudent and by slow degrees. The nseyo
must be prepared for freedom, and the reIa,ioas
OF civilized life, before he can he capable or az;
eWoymenis; and to the work of preparation 7 Iii
'end my ad--alwaJs mindful, how ever not tn cot,
NIT yloleIce where violence must do mischief Iei
ihen the conduct, Of his Majesty Governr,enf IL; /
10 DC looked at as conforming TO The spirit Of tbos
TesolUiIOns, winch were so unanimously appro,,ed
81 by this House, hope shalt be able to s,,;,r /
even the ltonourabIe Gentlemen who ,voyld 49,.
rs 90 precipaiely to that work, that fle C;ovsr,,
neni has mo- been slow, nor careless in floir 80
alton, and that they have not been upmjnJGf ori
he task imposed upon them. The House ,yiu ta
pleased 20 remember that the resolutions n,ssc1 ~
Way, 1923, were Immediately transmitted IN tbo
eyeral colonies, and accompanied with q pres.io.
Nhortaion 20 act upon them, leaving it. bo,vo,o.'
D ne Colonial Assemblies, where there were A
emDlies' and 10 the Governors where ,borc o.f.
Governors, to- enter into lie views OF Par'iaDs,t |
nd without using, or thinking il necessary 70 pso
ny shing Ike coercion. cannot deny that In tt;
ypfcia'ion we were sadly disappointed. and ic.t,
blowing year, 1921, had the honour Of Stain, r.
Z 'his House itc eHred.cut 10 which the Coyer, 7,
ent had rc-oreI. That etpedienf was 10 efri,o- a.
2 thos, measures which we considered mos, no. a
''sary inr amtHorsting thc condition of the rer- F.
'Pui"u9n i1 the different colonies. These me, '
res When embodied, were iorwar5cd 10 tboss %
'-o.Ic.; whore the Crown Of Great Eri.ain rouIJ
IL mem in.o execution without. The Intervention