Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-02-02

with grand national and experimental plans Of pT H.
gsation would point to the period which elapsed from
lIIo TO ISL How could il be erwse when Virgin;
IN those the better and pany days her STOOD
sustained in her legislation by the pure and phosopb,
Intellect OF Pendeton--by the patriotism OF Mason ant
Lec-by the searching vigor and sagecy of wyhe and
6y the aiembracing acomprchensive genius Of Thomas
Jefferson
Sir, il committee composed of those five lus,r;
Gus men, who in Ill., submitted the General Assem-
bly, Of this State, then session. plan for the Gradual
emancipation OF the slaves of this Commonwealth. The
plan was simple and practca-much in substance like
that which had the honor of submitting to the Select
Committee. Ii contemplated the freedom of all born ac
certain Jay and deportation at proper age 1t was based
ever can be carried into successful operation The same
scheme Sir which has prevailed in Pennsylvania, New
York, and all of the Northern States with such rmphan,
and gratifying This pan unhappy for the Com
monweah of Virginia, carried into execution.
ne causes OF its failure described by Mr. Jefferson
and public acts =
Sir. who recur to the period when those master
inteiects OF former days, employed in triumph
ing over every difficulty, in peace and warm sur
mounting every obstacle to which long colonial vassaaee
had exposed usin tracing upon the political board
designs OF civil and political reform; and this the most i'm
perant among them,and then listen to the fears alarms
scrlpes and prudential suggestions Of more modern
politicians without being forced to cxclaim!
49, "Tempora mutan,ur in ilis!"
ihcy had done enough for their day and genera
ton The condition of the country then engaged in
struggle for Independence, and just emerging into political
existence, could not at that time, suffer the practical ex-
tension OF their just and benevolent schemes. They
ia'c however, lett ner pau as rich legacy to their
issue It'll Tor us to say whether will carry or
not
But Sir, told that there can be no possible plan
OF emancipation which will necessarily infringe the
right of property and that scheme ought TO be
ed by this House which does invade the private rights
this ground, ouropponents have only
declared their opposition 10 emancipation but any enq,
'y which may result in the adoption of a bill
This assumption-forit merits no better nameis album
erday by the gentleman from Dnwiddie, (Mr Brodnax)
His pan according the most forced of what
may be termed the property advocates does not in
fringe any right OF property refer to that schemes Sir
not because il meets my entire appreciation, but be-
cause it an ample refuation of this objection.
And Sir while upon this part of my subject do not
know that shall be favored with appropriate oc
casonpermit me to express, very briefly, my views OF
tho Proet, OF the gentleman from Dinwiddic Its spirit is
pacitc-ts purpose is compromise. But, Sir, like most
propositions, which, in stormy and tempesuous times
seek Cancellation rather than any decisive result policy
which address themselves to good feelings than
TO our enlightened Judgment fear ii deals too much In
contradictions, and seeks too fancifuly reconcile
1t cheme which proposes pro-
perry, and yet respect oe.ain most Qnixoic
notions of the right OF property 1t revoluonze this
communicating and, yet, TO carry that revolution so
quietly that can perceive the change: Ii il TO dis
cucumber this State OF Of property valued nine
ty millions OF dollars and yet by MEANS within the grasp
OF ordinary banker This, certainly is striking the
golden meanand could be accomplished no one would
more readily cooperate with the gentleman from Dinwid-
die, than myself But, Sir it wants pTdctcaGihfy You
might as well attempt one by one, to gather into mass
the sands now scattered on the endless margin the
seek TO the slave population by the means which
that gentleman conemplates-Two hundred thousand dol
lars to be annually appropriated by the State Why Sir
it would, scarcely aone pay the costs of Transportation
How, then, is the annual quota to be made up? BY gift
or by purchaser IT, by gilt, his views vsonary by
purchase his means are inadequate. Sir, accom-
pish nothing by scholastic disputaons about rights The
Gorian knot must be untiedif is by the sword-Asia
must be vanqushed-the country must be saved.
But Sir according 10 my Judgment neither does that
portion OF the proposition OF the gentleman from Abearle
(Mr Randoph) which conempates the freedom of the
future increase of slaves violate any such right of pro-
to tle
existing pressure OF public danger in this Commonwealth
That scheme, take occasion to say, is not all its pro-
Visions TO my tastenor submitted with nv appo
baton 1t is, however, before usand must pronounce
upon it.
That proposition operates alone upon the post nati-
those who may be born afer the 18th OF july 1910. Sir
do not mean To nct upon this learned and patient audi
ence, dry and metaphysical legal argument elaborated
from the materials which law library so readily furnish
upon the question: how far, according strict lar as
II IS recognised in your statute of distributions remote
increase would be regarded properynor do deem it
necessary here TO eopase my professional reputation by
even Pronouncing an opinions upon point happily To-
Gated inter dpes iegis. will content myself with adj
dressing single enquiry to my friend from Campbell (Mr
DaneD who preceded me, and who to have taken
this part OF the subject under his peculiar guardianship
To what class of rights, would he place right TO that
tohieh IS not, and which may be? Under what
head could he define the rights, which the stakeholder has
to that which may may not into potential exs-
tencc ten years hence? Oris remote possibility as
not TO be subject legislative aconor tangible for the
purposes OF legislative immolaon' confess, as
right iii too attenuaed for my legal apprehension to
and think it would puzzle the learned doctors of ST.
Omers to give us satisfactory analysis of its constituent
qualities Is it right executed a right erecutory7 Is
an interest accidental interest Incidental or AN in
tcrest substantial Or right present. hdbeadu,q
an fufrO1 Sir says the gentleman from Brunswick is
rested-No, says able coadutor of Dnwddie tits
right contingent. maintain, says the gent from Bruins
wick ii is right Independent and superior to all other
rights. regard it says the gent from Dinwiddie as
right, incidental TO other less questioned rights And in
due time, shall doubtless have third gentleman
''down SOUTH, rise in his place, and with quite as much
lie fI,c
er--but ferfium qd having many Of the qualities of
both, but OF the essentials of either. Sir | appre-
bend these learned gentlemen will find quite as difficult
TO classify their fayore right the famous doctors of
Strasburg did, to ascertain the reality OF poor Sawkcrbcr
gius's
:" lis faso nose" cries the Auii4No-aran.
" Us iruc hose. oIcsims the Nosarian;
" lis taiih," rcoins the
" It's Gdd'ssteks,' Cries the other"
Sir, would dsdan, upon occasion Of this Sort ap-
pcaing as ii does to the fundamental principles upon "
society is organized, handy with gentlemen the pettv
They go to the foundation upon which the social edi6cc
rests Property Us the Of civil society The gen
tcman from Brunswick and the gentleman from Dinvid-
die, hold their slaves-no by any law Of naure-not by
any patent from Cod as the latter gentleman yesterday
assumedbui solely by virtue the acquiecence and con-
sent oil the society in which they live. So long as that
property not dangerous TO the cool order OF society,"
may and will be tolerated But, Sir so soon does be-
come Pernciousso is asceraned to jcopardZc
the peace the happiness the good orernay, the very
existence Of socieyfrom that moment, the right by
which they hold their property is gone Society
to give its consent. The condition upon which they wero
permitted TO hod is volated-thoir right ceases This
Sir, is the supreme law Of socetya law above and ma
tioncd--whch will not be denied.
Let not he understood aSsailng the Ieenl Tenure
by which the STAKEHOLDER claims his property The law
istrue has gwen to the masera right slavebut il