Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-11-18

brforc they quit their rendezvous, by the oubiic
scorn and indignation. But are we to count az
no.h'nE the sympathy Of those with WHOM on
principle at least. we are ia alliance will Vir-
x'na, chivarovs, lig h-sprited as SHE is passive.
~ and quietly stand by. and SEQ Us inundated, tor
no other crime than devotion 10 her faith not bv
worship o. mere lip-service, but by dedication
OF our ifc-biood to her principles! II abe will
then is She 6t Tor slaves portion Let her nut
out all the lights that have blaxed upon her affairs
Let her strike from the escutcheon Of her glory
The names OF her Washington, her Jefferson. her
dadison, her Henry. her Mason. and her Gray
l son, and prepare to lay down herself in base and
contcnted servitude. I viii continue this specu-
tattoo no further: for Il looks rs il we were seek
ing out. in miserable spit Of timdity for re-
sources among others. without rel ying upon our
own, which are to DO found in the enthusiasm Of
holy cause. and in the spirit of our own People
Know well. that when the first drop of blood is
shed, II this Union wero made Of adamant, il will
DO dissolved. But know that this 6rst drop will
NOT be shed by us. although our veins may be
destined to AFFORD the libstiou. We will nut GU
aggressors. rs we have done from the commence.
ment Of this contest in each succe ssiye step Der
fpetually in the wrong If violence, IL bloodshed
epsues, 1t viii DO Of their seeking. la such sad
conjuncture, we shall stand upon the defensive.
resting upon our right. and without fear ealinc
20 our God. an'i the compact OF our Confectionery
IL the UuioO Is dissolved, theirs will be the odian,
g sa sss lsnsh iS i. s 70: Ii q
our charter will be redressed, aud the Consttu-
ton Itself come out Of the with renovated
purity and vigor, and our efforts DO consecrated
ny ihe blessings OF the renotest posterity. In
this struggle between MAmmon and Freedom,
we shalt have the prayers Of the good the aspira-
tons OF the enlightened and free, IN every quar-
ter of tho globe, offered up for success. The
principles of ree trade the principles Of human
liberty. Next to the right Of worshipping our
God according to the dictates Of our conscience,
10 the privilege Of directing the labor Of our hands
with unrestricted freedom to an Industry Of our
own choice. This right. no less sacred than the
freedom Of the Press. was, we bcliove, ssacd6ed
as well as secured by the Constitution-becsuss
We know that. TO establish and free trade
with the whole world, was a leading induce,neut
to the formation Of the Union itself.
Let us remember, too, this question brings With
!, all tho high sanctions and obligations which be-
ionGed TO the mighty ono our Fathers agitaed with
the greatest Power earth. IL is the identical pro-
position. in spite Of the insulting sophistry of that
man, who may we'll call an argument "absurJ,"
which convicts him, not only OF tyranny and in
justice, but Of having done moro TO the seeds
Of dissenson and disunion among this once united
and happy People. than any other individual, even
should that individual share With him the infa-
nous distinction of having inprecated upon his
country the curses :" OF war, pestence and ia
mine" Yes. Il Is taxation, virtually, " without
representation, we'll as taxation in violation of
the Constitution. Has single vote OF this
entire section OF the South, from tho Potomac %
the Alabama. been given in favor Of taxation,
whose uncompenssted burthen falls exclusively
upon this very section! Is not the tribute exActe
altogether by the votes Of the Representatives Of
those who share the booty? What N mockery and
insult il it, to tell that taxed by the au-
thonty OF representation, when the very character
and responsibility OF representation is outraged in
the enormous injustice Of the foul oppression it.
selR
Gentlemen, have we'll considered what have
said. The fact that the shout OF treason will be
raised against me, Tor the honest expression OF
these opinions, by those who think submission to
a violation OF the Constitution is the best means
Of curing its ATTRACTION, carries with il
wish our State 10 commit no other treason than
that which Jefferson and Madison recommended.
and, in the haowed words Of the former, " TO Sc
pa rate from our companions only when the sole
alternatives left are the dissolution Of Uni
without Limitation Of powers" ardcntly hope,
that, before we take one step, the last drop-n the
cup Of cancellation may be exhausted. 1 know
and do now estimate lightly the value Of the Uni
on; in the form in which the Constitution designed
il, il is one OF the first Of human blessings. All
our efforts should he directed to redress our
wrongs as to preserve, IL possible, this sacred
bond. lbeiieve its preservation depends on main
tanning the Constitution in its original purity; that,
If one violation Of the instrument, accompanied By
fraud violence, and injustice. is to sanctiiy anoth
er, the Confederacy soon must go down in blood,
or sink into loathsomo and boated oIigarchy,
strong in nothing but its power Of expressing It's
own subjects. Those. indeed are the advocates
submission. The oath to defend the Constitution
from infraction, is Of equal obligation with the
correlative duty TO protect il. Let this be the
Egis inscribed upon the banner under which we
march. Let us claim the holy protection Of the
instrument az il was, and only he driven by violence
from its sacred fame. Let US cast back upon
calun,niators, who have dared TO invoke the last
precious words &c Of the Father oil his Country"
agnins; u.s. and tell them TO ponder upon his sdmon
tons, full OF parental warming against sectional
prejudces, sectional legislation and ctional in
justice. Yes, venerated shade! il II were permit
ted 10 you now to he the arbiter Of rights and
our wrongs, we would az willingly submit to you
the issue, we do TO the God who has blessed you
with his benedictions, the purity and the integrity
| Of our motives. We would ask other umpire
between US and those who have illuminated your
authority, by daring to quote your last blessings
your country, as the justification of tyranny and
corruption.
| My friends, the approaching duck tells me that
have too long taxed your patience. Let ine, in
reiierstng my gratitude for all the proofs Of your
| generous attachment and devoted confidence, bid
| you afectiopste farewell. Perhaps II is the
last time shall ever address you as your Repre-
sentative. On the 9Th Of NJ arch next my steward
ship will be at an end--I shall then surrender in
| 10 the hands Of my friend [Mr. BarnweIlJ WHO
@ s spqfes d Ss,1 hat IN hi. hands ..e GO
| l promise not more than he will perform, when
tell you, that in his genius you will have pride, in
his honor confidence, in his patriotism safety, and
in his courage the assurance that il IL becomes ne
eessary, he will " nail your coIors to the mast
In conclusion, permit me toofler for your pledges
a Tosst, which believe 70 be in harmony with
your wishes, your hopes, aud your seutiments---
| because know you venerate the Constitution oil
your country, and that you yet cherish conf
dence tbat this instrument carries san6ve pfinci-
\ nj xri fsen ~