Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-01-31


tous subject OF enquiry. will go further, and say II is
in my Judgment the most momentous subject Of public
interest which ever has occupied the deliberations OF this
body Indeed, il may be pardoned the extravaganza of
the EXPRESSION will say 1t is the subject which,
this time, and under the present attitude Of affairs in vir
gina is worthy OF the sober gravity of Legislation. When
aud upon what previous occasion, did question so grand
and all pervading its consequences absorb the cons
Grafton OF this ",use! The Revolution which asitated
this Commonwealth fifty wears ago great and important
as il involved in its results but change of our poll
teal relations with the mother country This
should II prove successful and that it must, la
ter, no individual in this House reasonably doubt
must involve in its consequences, moral, physical and
political revolution in this Statc-a revolution which will
be by every great interest in the Common
wealth. and by every State upon this Cont
nenSir care not what may be the feelings gen
cmen but glory that given TO to participate in this
measure shall ever reckon among the pro,iest Incl
dents OF my life that have contributed my feeble aid
TO forward revolution grand and patriotic i'm its
results. But Sir, at the same time that do accord with
those gentlemen who have preceded me in this debate
The opposite side the question: in the magnitude of this
topic, cannot think with them that that account il is
not FIT subject OF enquiry Its very importance APP
peas to us, and demands enquiry Let that enquiry be
cauous-et 1t be dcbcate-lct it be guarded; above all
lett be conducted with sacred regard the rights of
private property, far at least those rights ought upon
an occasion oil tins Sort TO be legitimatey recognized
But sun let the enquiry 30 The PEOPLE demand it,
Their safety requires it. Mystery in affairs, have
always considered impoc and unwsc. 1t is unsuited
the genius oil this government, which is based upon the
right oil the people, TO free and full examination of what
ever concerns their interest and happiness Sir they pay
you for your counelthey have right to H. III there be
danger let us know it, and prepare for the If sla
very be eradicatcd in Gods name let us get rid of IT,
cannot let hatmeancholy factbe distinctly ascertain
cd; and let those who We have been told now await
ing with painful soicitudc the result of your
pack up their household goods and find among luxu-
RANT forests and praires of the West security and re-
pose which their native land does not afford.
Sir, alter the decisive vote which taken upon this
subject some days since-that vote justly then called
TEST question: must confess, disposed
miro the vALoUR than the DISCRETION of the gentle
man from Meckcnburg, entertaining the opinion which
he has avowcd, in bringing this question i'm lis present
Is. q upOn he Ian
over petition, the que ston now submitted IN
the consideration of this House' And did not then by
large and overwhelming vote, declare that the public
safety demanded full and fearless nvcss CATION of this
whole question! What event has transpred TO
change the determination of this body. What indeed
ought 10 chahge H. but some manifestations of public
umen adverse to the former course of this House, Has
public sentiment so spoken! boldly declare Sir that
mas not Wherever the voice of your people has been
heard since the agitation OF this question il has sustained
your determination and called for the enquiry / have
heard OF county meetings, county petitions and county
memorials. have heard from the North the East and
the South. They ALL with one voice against the con-
,nuance oil slavery None for it, The press, too-that
mirror OF public sentimenthat concentrated will of
whole community, has been heard from one extremity of
lhe State to the other Its power is with us-s moral
the capital OF the Old Domnion-the heart of the Com
monweallh which, through ventlice receives and
through the other, discharges the life blood of nte
Sence and public spirit, throughout your empire-aye
and from quarter, and from many quarters where such
voice was least expected its tones have been firm man.
~ and intrepid Honor Sir, TO those who dare speak the
truth in the worst of times Thrice honored tbcv who
In declaring that truth, have 10
Beard Bear, the Lion in hi. don,
Tho Douglas in his hail
Again. Sir ask, what fact has occurredwbat new
light has dawncd upon the gentleman from Mecklcnburg
that we should be called upon retrace our course and
dsappoint the hopes which first manly decision rave
Does not the same evil exist Is it not increasing? Does
no. every DAY give 1t pernanency and orce' Is it not
hiShS over us like heavy and portenous cloud-eye-
y moment growing darker and darker and catherine in
lis ioids the materials of elemental war! And vet shall
we be requested TO close eyes to the danger and with
to IN tbc
pulses Of dark and whitening despair' Sir manly
legislation! lsit correcn Ist gislaion
acting with that fidelity our constituents which Their
sacred interests require?
Sir, ifhis evil great it is, was even staonarv-if
me worthy gentlemen from Meckenburg and Brunswick
ir Ghoson) could give any assurance that il wonlJ
not Increase until it reaches point which il is horrible 10
contemplate might be induced 10 acquesce the course
Mhch .eir Patheuc appeals suggest. But when they
know II is oherwise-when they know that each succc:
ve pillow Is detracing from the small space of ground
e' between us ana the angry chatting our feet
how can they advise us-how they advise their own
constituents to remain STILL when the advancing
wave may overwhelm them and us, in hopeless ruin and
desolaon? ~ w
Sir if the gentleman from Mecklenburg was not salts
ned when ne submitted his resolution he must no,o be
convinced tat this is one of those questions which no par
amenary adToitness smother The spirit of Free En-
curry abroad upon the eartb and governments and all
the institutions connected with them must be
not by any mystical and supesous reverence for them
as erisng tnSftuonsbu as they are ascertained after
severe aa searching scrutiny to subserve the great
oil POPULAR cedL The same question which is now
CONFUSING Europe TO its centrewhch is purifying that
most gifted country from the dcsposm which for so nanv
centuries has hung over il, is in somewhat modified
shape operating upon the present enquiry AS with
thei, IL is asked, why have long tolerated the
unequal and oppressive institutions Of orr cortr;
why have we suffered ourselves TO be ground into
dust that others might be paInpered in luxury and ease
oil what use are crowns and hereditary aislocracies
DO they answer any great end of socety-o thew con
ducc TO the happiness of the PEoPLE?-So with us The
enquiry must be, slavery beneficial nstutonis the
prosperity oil nation promoted by nourising within her
DoSom ha million OF bondsmen alien TO her in intor
est hoSe TO er III Telling and prepared any favorable
moment 10 deuge the country in blood and dance unon
inc RUNS OF public liberty! In other words are we bet
ter with or without slaves? Ii must come to that nont o
GIVE to the great interests of society will be tolerated
IL not 1t must bow before the majesty of that power which
supreme But Sir vain and idle every effort TO stran
gle TINS enquiry! AS well might you ateinpt 10 chain the
ocean and stay the avengng thunderbolts of Heaven
as to drive the people from any enquiry which NAV no.
suit III their better condition. This is too deeptoo on
crossing subject oil consideration. 1t addresses itself oo
strongly 10 our lnerests-to passions to our feel
nBs' lhere is not county-not a town-not newspa-
paperhot hrcsIde in the State where the subject il
FULLY and fearessy canvassed and shall we the CON
stuiiOna inquest of the Commonwealth sworn to natc
true enquiry into all the grievances OF the pcopIe and 10
the best OF our abilities apply the remedy-sha we |
alone be found to shrink from this enquiry And
mere permit me to advert TO a remark which fell I
am sure inadvertently, from the gentleman from Brlns
WICK Because forsooth, i'm asking this ennuirv zee
nave chosen to depart from the folly of our ancestors and
10 discuss TINS questIon-not with closed doorsno i'm oyv
ana breahlcss whispersnot with all the mummery of an
oriental DiVan we have been told that we are treating
inc SUBJECT 'pPpdnHy'-not done in the better
d0ys oil the Commonwealth. If nppancy Sir in the vo-
gentleman eie rniG