Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-03-02

IT. say only surprises me, AS being done here, Tor
know full well, that IL, aud has been the settled
policy oil persons in the South for years repre-
sent The people OF the North disposed 10 interfere
with him. in their own exclusive and peculiar con-
Germs. Thisis delicate and sensitive point in SOUTH
rrn feeling; and OF late years has always been touch
ed, and generally with effect, whenever the object
been to unite the whole South against the ncr,hern
tuen, northern This feeling ALWAYS care
fully kept alive. and snc at toe intense heat
SS't discrimination or reflection is lever OF great
power IN our political machine. II vast todies,
AMI glvss 10 them and the direction. But the
teetingfs without adequate cause, ard the suspicion |
which exists, wholly grcundles'. There Is not, and
never has been, dispcs,on the North 10 interfere
with ,hts interests the South Such in'eriei
mas never been supposed be Thin tue power Of Go
vefnmen,; nor has it been, IN any way, attempted II
has always been regarded ne meter OF domestic poll
cy let, with the States themselves, and with which the
Federal Government had rothng to do Certainly, sir
| am, aud ever have been OF that opinion. The gem
eman. indeed, argues that slavery, in the ais raci is
no evil Most assurediy need not say l 4 iIer with
him, al'ofethsr AID mos, widely, that point. re-
gard domestic slavery as one OF the greatest of evils,
bob moral and political. But though /, be a malady,
aud whether IL be durable, and il so, 10y what means
or, ON the other hard rhc;hsr il he the rulnus imme
dieG6de OF the social system, cave it to those whose
right and duty 1t is TO inquire aud decide. Aud this
believe, SIR, is and uniformly has BEEN the seuli-
men, OF the North. Let us look little the history
| OF this matter.
! When tue present Constitution was submitted for the
rahcaion OF the People there were those who imagin-
ed that the powers OF the Gov which pio pos
ed to establish might, perhaps, in some possible mode;
be exeited in measures tending TO III. abolition OF sa-
very TINS suggestion would of course attract much
attention in the Southern Conventions. In that oil ViT-
GINA. Gov. Randolph said:
II 81 hope there is none here who, considering the
subit in the calm Liz Int OF philosophy will make a
objection dishonorable TO Vrginiahat, at the
they securing the rights OF their cnizens obec
ton Is started, that there is spark vi hope that those
unfortunate men Eew held in bondage may, by the
operation ofthe General Government be made Tree"
Al The very first Cong p, tilons the subject
were presen,ed if mistake not, hom dfere mt States
The Pennsylvania Society Ter promoting the Abolition
oil Slavery look lead, End laid before Congress
mortal, praying Congress 10 promote the abolition by
such powersss II possessed. his memorial wasre-
i-rred, in the House OF Represent aves, TO ,eee,
committee, consisting OF MI. Foster oil New Hanp-
shire MIR. Gerry OF Massachusetts,; MIR. Hunting on
Connecticut; MIR. Laurence OF New York; MIR. Sin.
nckson OF New Jersey; Mr. Hartley OF Pennsyvania;
and MIR Parker Of Va; all OF them, sir, you win OBJ
serve, northern men, but the last. This committee
made report which committed to a Committee OF
the Whole House. and there consid red discussed
on severadays; AID being amended, although in
rrai respect, II was made express distinct propo
tons on the subjects OF Slavery and The Slave Trade.
First in the words OF the Cons luton that Congres s
could hot prior to the year 1903, prohibit the mgra-
on or impoita ion orsuch any OF the States
hFh existing, should think proper TO admit Second,
that Congress had authority the citizens
the United Siaes from carrying on the African Slave
trade, Tor the purpose OF supplying foreign
On tins proposition, our early against those who
engage IN that traffic are founded. The third PROPOSE
ton, and that which bears the preseui que stion
: eXpre.se in the following terms
A" ReSOiued, That Congress have no authority TO in
teriere in the emancipation OF slaves, in the treat
ment OF them in any OF the Safes it remaining " h
the several STATES alone 10 provide rules regulations
therein whicrhumhnt y aud true policy may require -
This resolution received the sanction oil the House
CT Representatives so early as March, 1890 Aud now ,
sir, the honorable member will ailow e 10 remind him.
that not only were the select committee vino reported
the resolution, with single ep,ion, all northern
men, but also that OF The members composing lie
ftouse oil Representatives, large majority, believe
nearly two thirds, were northern also.
lhe House agreed 10 insert these iesoluions in its
journa aud, from that day to thus, has nev er he
| eu that bad
~ 10 regulate, int WITH the condition OF slaves
IN the several States. No northern gentleman, TO NY
Hh'"ieose' mas moved any such question III either
House Of Congress.
The fears OF the South, whatever fears they nigh,
have entertained, aiiayed aud quieed by hls
~ decision; and remained, ill ,hey we've excited
aiTesh, without cause, but for collateral indirect pur
poses When II became necessary, or thought So
by some political persons, 20 find an unvaryDg ound
Tor the exclusion of Northern from confidence
and from lead III the affairs OF the Republic them and
not TIL Then, the raIsed ieelns indus
riousy excited, that The influence Northern men in
the public councils would endanger the relation OF
master and slave. For myself, claim no other mel it,
tLan that tins gross and enormous injustice towards
the whole North, has not wrought upon me to change
my opinions or my political conduct. h.pa am
above violating my principles, even under The smart
OF injury and false Ippuations. Unjust suspicious and
und-served rerroach, wha'ever pain may experience
from .hem viii not induce me, tust, nevertheless,
TO overstep the limits OF constitutional duty or to en-
croach on the rights Of others The domestic slavery
OF the South ! leave where timd tin the hand. Of
their Governments. 1t is their affair not mine
Nor 10 complain Il The peculiar eff CT which lie mag
nitude Of that population has had in distribution Of
power under this Federal Government We kn,w
sir that the OF the States in the other
House is equal. We know, that great adv antage
in that Respect, enjoyed by the save-holing States
and know too, that the intended equivalent for lhs
advantage, hat is to say the imposition oil direct taxes
n the sane ratio has bee merely nOmnal; the nab
1t OF the Government being almost invariably to coll
ect lis revenues from obei sources in oIhe modes
| Nevertheless, do not complain: nor would coune-
nance any movement 10 alter h Arrangement OF rep
resentaion. Ii is the original bargain the compact--
let II stand: let the advantage be fully eiioyed
The Union itself is full OF bent fit t. he lazaided i'm
propositions for changing its original basis / 20 Tor
the COns:lluton tbs, and Tor Uni on az il, But
am resolved not 10 submit, in silerce 10 accuations
eiter against myself Individually, aiusi the North
wholly uniounded aud unjust accusations which i'm
rute 10 s disposition to evade the constitutional COM
pact ard 10 extend the power OF tie Government over
III Internal laws AMI domestic condi ion Of the s a,es
All such accusations, wherever AID whenever made
9l Nominations Of he existence OF such rurroses
know and Zee 10 be gfouudess and injurious. And
wc must conbde in SOaihern gentlemen thrmselves:
we must ifust 10 those whose integdv of heart ana
maenaumity OF feeling will lead them 10 A dc ire 10
maintain and disseminate truth aud who possess the
means Of i's diffusion with the Southern public: We
must leave 10 them TO dI'abuse that public of it., pre-
iudces. But, in the trn for nv own part shall
contiHne TO act justly, whether those towards whom
justice il exercised, receive ii with candor or with con-
tumey.
Having had occasion to recur TO The ordinance Of
1881, order 10 defend myself against the in reren
| which the honor BILE member ha. chosen 10 draw
frOm y 70 mpr oil tior hot,