Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-02-24

" pOltNt W ~ III ~
mon L understood him to advance.
speaker, L understand that tho proposition
VI 'hc gentleman from Albcmarle (Mr. Rapdolph)
~ before us-that ii departed this lite Sc
,.la' uays ago-that the gentleman from Peters
o"ie, performed over it on yesterday, an clo-
Iuc"' burial service. And having myself had no
."". VI lot heretofore in this melancholy and inte-
uS.n transaction, i propose to you an cpitaph
".h hopo VIII be inscribed on its tomb. 1t is dcs.
'iip1''ve OF It's characteristics difficulties & it's fate
ana OF the regard manifested towards it in it's
TrhS'i through the valley of the shadow of death.
!, would thank any poctical gentleman to change
!, in'o verse. l am compelled at present to offer
here lies in the arms of eternal sleep, the
""hg.eu body OF the proposition of the gentle
man from immortal Aihemarie-An abstract no.
.cioh OF the illustrious Jefferson, which many in
!d'ua'ea men vainly imagined had no application
y Inc peculiar state of the present times. 1t
was born amidst the throes of the migltiest re.
EVOLUTION, whose dauntless march w as ever lirh,.
euoy the sun of Heaven. 1t lived one entire
week. and during its long and ~cventful career,
IL encountered some of the severest trials to
winch the frail work ofmortality had ever been
subjected. And it received many Il great and pow
'crfui blow upon its devoted head. But at last it
was deserted by its friends-and it's here"
proposition.
The eloquent gentleman from Berlely, (Mr.
faulkner,) in the course of the observations witt.
which he favored us, attempted to shew that pub
ilc opinion had been extensively indicated on the
subject OF emancipation. He alluded to the meet
ings OF the people, and to the petitions presented
TO our consideration. | understood him to say
no mad heard of meetings in every part of the
State.
1T will be seen L think upon very slight exami-
natlon, that these meetings and petitions afford
but ineagre evidence of public opinion. AT the
TIME the gentleman favored us with his views there
had been presented here but two petitions-onc
from the county of Loudoun, the other from tho
county Of Hanover. On the first there were twelve
signatures, (s / was informed by a member from
that county, ofwhom | made the enquiry while
the gentleman was addressing the IIouse.) The
petition from Hanover as we know, was signed by
a few Qnakers of that county. I say nothing Of
tho general sentiment of those two counties,-but
when petitions arc referred to as evidence of pub
lie opinion, 1t is fair to look to the signatures.-
Advertlng 10 these, there were twelve from the
large county of Loudoun. There arc also the petit
tloning Quakers. But | would suppose there was
no gentleman in this House who would seriously
maintain that n petition from a small number of
'2uakers, ought to way a feather with those who
are really in search Of public opinion on the sub.
Zee, OF emancipation. Precisely the most needless
waste OF paper, which can be committed, is for a
Quaker to write TO the Legislature of Virginia,
that he is favorable 10 schemes of abolition. Their
opinions on this subject, you NAV rest assured,
have neither been unobserved or misundcrstood.-
One or two petitions l understand were presented
this morning.
Now, sir, is this such an Indication of public
sentiment as to authorize the Legislature to act at
the present time? Are we prepared on such soil.
citations TO sweep away the property of the PEG.
pie! My opinion is that the whole people have
more wisdom than any given part-that they know
much better their own wants, wishes and views,
'than any set OF volunteer agents who may modest
ly undertake to manage their affairs. There wiH
be indication Of popular opinion-IOud, clear and
d'Stinct. When we shall have had conversation
WIN our constituents-compared our opinions
with theirs, then shall we distictly understand
them and they as distinctly understand us. Every
member returned TO the Legislature, by the time
he reaches this Hall next winter, will stand pre-
pared to execute the will of his constituents.
The gentleman, in order, | suppose, TO stimulate
us to action, told us that his course in relation TO q
dioision of the State, would depend on future
events. BY this declaration, we are left to infer,
that should his efforts in the cause of abolition
fail, then he will go for division. 1t was a re-
mark on a very delicate topic, which | sincerely
regretted to hear. My own opinion on the subject
of a divis on may readily be conjectured from
what has already fallen in n previous portion Of
my remarks. | haze scarcely permitted myself
ever seriously to contemplate a question fraught
with so many unpleasant and gloomy reflections.
But take this opportunity TO say, in the language
of truth, that if this question be carried against
us, 1T will Immediately be met by a proposition to
dioide this State. Circumstances we can no
longer control, will force us to resort to this expc.
dent. We shall be compelled TO embrace il, ruin.
Gus as it is, to avoid an evil incidentally greater
a civil, IT not a SerUIe war. Carry this question,
and division or war will be the inevitable cons
quence. This is the desperate alternative. There
never was an instance since the existence of man,
IN which any people tamcly surrendered against
their will, one hundred millions without a strug-
gle. Believe me, sir, there is no question, the
a agitation Of which fills my mind with more pain.
fui sensation than ono in reference to a division
of my native State. But | would resort even to
1t, rather than submit to an eternal conflict upon a
subject so delicate and dangerous as this.
The gentleman, as if labouring under the mo-
mentary apprehension that he might possibly be
unable for the present, to persuade us of the pro-
priety of his own convictions, i'm relation to the
dangers and evils of slavery, demands some guar
anteo that slaves shall not he introduced into the
western portion of the State.
she best possible guarantee Of which the subject
is susceptible, is to be found in the feelings and
opinions of his constituents. He need, I can as.
sure him, subject himself to no alarm from the
anticipation that the people of the East will ever
deliberately engage in the transportation of their
negroes across the mountains with the single view Of
forcing them upon their western brethren against
their consent. Sir, the danger from this source is
not half so terrific as he seems TO imagine. The
gentleman may, without the fear of disappoint-
ment, console himself with the assurance on my
part, that his constituents Will never be en-.
numbered with a solitary slave from the East,
without he be purchased and paid for, at
fair and full value. No people have a more live
ly perception of the true value of slave property,
than those ] have the honor in part to represent on
this floor: and let me tell the gentleman, that no
power of argumcn can convince them, that their
own individual interests could be promoted by part
ing with this property without full pccuniary com.
pcnsation. The power Of avcrting the danger
from them, is completely in the bands Of the West.
ern people already. If the gentleman on his re.
turn TO his constituents, will make 10 them a speech
half s6 eloquent as that to which we have listened
persuade them to tho adoption of his views
make them think as he thinks, and feel as he feels,
he will more entirely have attained the object nc