Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-04-03

and from pretended conformity with the divine in
tention The king Of Great Britain had no patural
or diTine right 10 tfohi the American Colonies in
bondage.
| The effort. Mr. Speaker, (said Mr.. d. TO incor-
porate and preserve the natural equality of man in
the social state, and to make II the standard OF con-
ventonal rights and privileges, is evidently mis-.
application and abuse OF the declaration in our bill,
of rights. Mistaken ideas OF this natural equality
and misguided endcsyors &c enforce il. must lead
TO absurd regulations in society, and may produce
the most disastrous consequences. Ii was de-
sire TO conform with this principle which gave rise
TO some of the curious law of Scion and Iycurgus
; with an account Of which the gentleman from
Mononga'ia (Air Morganl on yesterday entertain
ed us---i had entertained the belief that most Of
the doctrines of those ancient givers for the
introduction and perpetuatiop of equality had been
discarded from the creed Of modern s,ates,n ~ as
wholly imprac'icable, until heard that gentleman
, refer TO the governments Of Sparta and Athens
with evident marks Of pleasure and appreciation
whilst nc was quoting and recommending such
regulations as were designed to continue every
CITIZEN upon an equality, confess that was ut
feriy surprised that he should have omitted tor
mind us of Of Soon's law ahoisiing debts for Mr.
Speaker. the abolition of debt, and an exact divi-
sion OF property is the very contamination Of equal
| ity.
1t was under the disorgsnizing influence of the
idea that the natural equality OF the human race
should be respected in the political community,
that the market women OF Paris collected tos ther
on the 5;h day OF October 1889. They could no,
perceive how, upon principles of equality they
were excluded from all participation in the conn
ellis OF the Republic. Like an Amazonian band,
with arms in their hands, they marched to Yer
saiiies, demanded admission into the National AS
! sembiy, actually entered the Hall, deposed the
presiding oihcer, mingled with the members in
ree conference, and eat. and drank. and sang, and
scoideo. 1t was fanaticai devotion 20 the same
doctrine that inspired Anacharsis Kiootz, the
seii-styIed Orator of the human race, with the
magnificent idea ofextending its blessings 10 all
IN ShA T..I.. n I
tie Federation, the pretended representatives of
every nation of the globe grotesquely appareied,
headed by the exile and political maniac of Prus-
STA, IN SOLEMN form 'mplored the National Repre-
sentatives OF France to proclaim the universal
equality of man, and their own readiness TO unite
10 one mighty struggle for lis establishment upon
me ruins OF every existing government. Tie fol-
~ OF the mailman and enthusiast might have OBJ
tanned conimisscration, and the whole ceremony
have been regarded with Indifference or with rid
'cte. but Tor the deep tragedy Of which it was the
ground work.-From this fantastic parade emsn-
ated that system OF determination which excited
me jealous apprehensions Of all the powers of Eu-
rope, and converted the whole continent into
he!d OF carnage. The in6iscrininate incubation
OF this doctrine Of human equality excited
spirit OF insuborlnation and insurrec.un in
SENT Domingo. which eVeniuated in most
horrid and bloody massacre. This great PHI
iasophcal truth triumphed over the generous
feelings Of humanity, and holding in tame snbiec-
ton the impulses otcharity, justified the reient.
less exclamation. "pcrish the colonies, but save
the principle THE natural equality OF IN an main
tanned in state of society is totally irreconcila-
Die with the preservation Of order, and with me
possession and protection of property TO any con-
siderable extent. The whole earth is mans dwell
ing-placc, and each one is equally and naturally
entitled TO so much OF its soil and fruits as is me-
cessary for his habitation and subsistence; ana no
inoTe.-'1 he laws OF the Community, and not the
laws OF nature. authorize the acquisition of proper
~ beyond the Individual capacity 10 enjoy abii-
hn hnCtr4 nfr -.
to the same leveln all respects, was the avoged
motive which guided the conduct of the French
saccbins. In the eager pursuit of a phantom, the
Jacnhincal Jewellers disregarded every conside-
ration oil justice. humanity, and religion, Murder
and conn scation were Legitimate means of estab-
fishing their system. Order and civil liberty were
merged in the gull Of RIGHTEOUSNESS, from which
necessarily sprang profanity and inhdelity. Ac-
coFding 10 the revolutionary creed,man could have
no superior The Deity was brayed and Insulted,
and the phrenzied advocates of equality would il
me power had been possessed, have dethr ned the
Governor OF the Univa1se The worship OF Supreme
Beng unavodably eniorces the idea OF inieriority
and dependence; hence the affairs were crushed,
and under ther ruins were buried all the forms of
religious devotion.-whist the Goddess of Rea.
son was proclaimed 10 be the only Divinity wor.
my OF the homage of man. "-4N Men are by Ma
ture equally free and independent" Here sir
is the authority, superior to our laws which invites
TO iorcibia and convuisve dissolution OF soma OF
the long established relations of society. This is
the general order under which the STANDARD of IL
berty IS 10 be erected. the banners ofeqsality IN.
lurec, and under the Tnadiening inspirations OF the
Irresistible genius of universal! emancinat;nno
every inhabitant Of the country may march forth 10
assert aud maintain his natural freedom and indie
pendence, Yes, sir. this sublime abstraction in
our bill Of rights, If enforced in society causes the
'slave 10 swell beyond the measure of his chains"
It restores him TO the unqualified condition of
ire man, il enables him TO walk abroad in all the
majesty OF native equality, and 10 traverse the hills
and daes Of Virginia with little restraint as his
tore!athers once sported on ther natal plains The
gentleman from Wythe (alr. Draper) was con-
strained 10 admit that the practical adoption of the
doctrine Tor which he so ZeaouSly conended ne
cessarily led 10 the emancipation of slaves. The
Utmost ingenuity cannot reconcile bondage with
equa! freedom. The gentleman. however.it seem
ed, was not prepared TO extend his principles to
the liberation OF the slave; on the contrary he
conceded that the existing condition OF soriety and
the sacred duty OF selfsecurity justified us in re.
sisting his natural claim 10 freedom. This con.
cession is virtual Abandonment Of the position
assumed, that the strict letter of the bill Of RIGHTS
ought alone 10 regulate the work of reform Hsy-
ing fearful apprehension, sustained think bya
recurrence to all past experience Of the disorder
injustice, and violence which must attend SUCH an
effort, have labored tediousy, perhaps but |
hope not altogether unsuccessfully, to demonstrate
that the idea Of preserving the natural equality of
man in the formation of society is absurd; thatit
is wholly mpraclicable; and that il is not reuuir-
cd by lair and correct Interpretation of the Ian.
guage which has been so frequently quoted 10 sus-
tain il.
Mfr. Speaker, said AR. D. there is another pro.
vision contained IN our hill Of rights which has
( been fruitful theme Of defamation. The right
OF majority TO alter the Government has be- r.
indicated with an earnest zeal calculated 10 con-
ycy the impression that ii had encountered deniai
or invasion. The admission Of this principle 10 its