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

tho more am convinced that il is an mportant-a most
momen'ous affair Sixtyooe white native inhabitants Of
Virginia-n few hoursin the face Of day-in coun-
~ well protected most OF the counties east of the
Blue Ridge, d-butchered-manelc i'm STYLE of
which the records OF arocity scarcely furnish
lei This petty affair! Sir, il may suit the n,odestu of
those whose valor and energy suppressed that
uon' to underate ITS Importance. But 10 the Statesman,
who knows that like " i'll produce like effects II
must appear iraught with useful and important nsrc-
uon. lie, no DC sand that these rarely
cur; and that similar may not take place for half
century 10 come 10 us, than 10 the murdcre
eluzens oil Southampton il given know the day and
inc hour. Is sufficient that such evil may occur
ana mat no vigilance IL your police prevent its
renee.
Sir the evils Of slavery stand confessed before u.s. The
only question, with Virginia statesman should be-is
there any remedy! and what shall that re mey be- Tho
gentleman from Albemarlc has exhibited one scheme
INC gentleman from Dmwiddic has presented another-
oher' ana perhaps less exceptonabe projects will be
submitted as soon as is understood that we are disposed
to apply some remedy. The ONLY QUESTION nor be.
fore as iS-sh0U be PERMITTED 10 make The euo,,;
!V Shaii we be allowed TO prosecute
/ In the Select Committee? Let us manifest the w-tbe
means will assuredy follow. never could despair, Sir
In cause so just this never could depar of accom-
pilshng that which eight States-ahouph il is true
under more favorable crcumstances-have already ac
comphshed. never could despair of doing that which
the venerable fathers of our Republic have told me- -
only practicable but have adinonhed us must he done n
we mean to save the Commonwealth from ruin. With a
steady perseverance, failure is impossible The sympa-
ines and support OF the world would gather around us
The smiles OF Heaven and honest feelings would sus
stain ~ ~
In conclusion, Mr. Speaker permit me again ,o r,c,,
that although am decidedly in favor of some scheme
tnat VIII ultimately relieve my country from the caas,r
Pne when threatens it, let gentleman SUPPOSE from
what mas fallen from that i'm favor OF any rash
sioent or nasty legislation am for acon-but il must
DC considered action am for
no Piai which Is not -gradual-prospectiyc in its
operation. shall advocate scheme that does not re-
pec he right OF property so far it entitled to be re-
specified, with just regard the safety and If
the State would approach the subject as one of great
magnitude and dolcacy-as one whose varied and me-
nenous consequences demanded the camest and n,o, Do
sill Sir
aye delicate as il may be--licult as it NAV becncon
passed as may be, with difficulties and hazards, would
sun apprach it, The people demand it, Their security
requires it, In the language of the wise and ~
jefferson. 'you must approach ityou must hear itYoU
MUST ADOPT SOME PLAN OF IMANc,p.-,n, ~.
worse WILL FOLLOW" Wv
DIT: M MARSHALL said, he would offer no anoIogv far
throwing himself upon the notice of the House wearv ne IL
must he of debate but that which il dcrivsJ e. ~,
portance oil the subject Standing here os r.,,r,
1--WE OF county deeply interested in the result conn
y containing population OF twcny-sx thousand souls
oil Whon nearly equal portions bond and free he
ne haI some claim upon the indulgence of the Uo,se
Whe ne presented his views in relation TO the great
uons which have given rise TO this discussion i
Inc whole subject, he said, ought to have beon ,e
with the Committee. Nothing was more IN bo -, t y,
ah me attempt TO change lis original destination and no
iinS more TO be deprecated than premature jiscss;
IN TINS House The direction given TO all the memor;aI
IN e ilrstnstancc coniernable TO the reguar cou
proceedings In committee, the subject
nave Deen safely examined in all its bearings and
with minute attention TO details. The most deIcnte ono
IONS might have been freely discussed without aeitatn
jecs, would there have had an embryo existepca ~ IT,
as II was harmless Conflicting opinions and discorJ,
i mere nave mingled in elemental strife but
cF would nave eventually sprung of chaos; and the
committee, rejecting every thing ibpractic,e or ,nG
would most probably have reported some well digesed
pian' suited TO the public expectations and coIcn,sd ~,
reduce the burhen which presses on the stag, Gn,,
men had vainly hoped, by dischareinr The oon n r
s,o eo.serauon OF this subject TO further discus
aiia hau as Vanly manifested their int ntio .i
ali rther enquiry and s: ,ila. me Virginia Assembly
m, .oI entertain proposition which has
E1S hnN tI,D, =
uoor mas been thrown open TO unlimited debate tie e
In all its awful reality. ~ No
1.-THE present aspect Of the case he was constrained n
vote nom against The original resolution and the substitute
oierea py me gentleman from Albemarle Pursuing The
oder IN winch The vote must be taken, he would begin
by stating his objections 10 the substitute rs"
The first and most satisfactory reason is that the nnb
nc Hihu Is not prepared for the question of Abotion
he members OF this Legislature were not elected l., ~
ference 10 It, Let subject OF local character hoyover
trivial be presented for your consideration ,nd ~,
iiSe 10 Interfere unless notice had been given Shall 700
Ought we, to egisae subject of universal and snr
passing interest without unequivocal expression
pu0hc wilH We may individually hazard our scvcraI
OF property In any manner that like; but we
nave no right TO leopard the persons or propertv of %
peoples and we are bound consult the wishes of our
situens as the mode of exercising the mowers bi
they have conided TO Have they given us autbort,
TO eSsiaie on subject which had never been discussed
and on which discussion not expected, since be 81
ahcoy occurrence at Southampton the public attention
has been iorcbly drawn 10 the subject Of our coonrd
population: and many schemes have been suggested
NOT
nnu the meeting of this body-nay until This wecL
That the question OF Abolition has been seriously
an aws 10 be cfcicni, must be sustained by public sem
uieht-wlthout this sanction they cannot lone remain
upon your statute book-they may do mischief they
never can do Soot bat, resting on The dcen aud bro
ana permanent basis OF public opinion thev arc oor
tent IS not sufficient 10 say that ibis law would have
10 immediate eilect-that time would be even IN Tho oo
PIE 10 monty or cancel at their pleasure ANY
I'VE acuon on The subject, though wholly prosnccfive
hough totally imperative for forty years would have ~
present and powerful effect. The mere exnrcesnn IF
ehce IL would be proclaimed from the house -ions.it
would reach tile deepest rccesscs of vour forests 2 h
ecHod rom The Iouest submits Of your mountains II l.
'o su'ccn 10 say that the question will be prononnde
10 inc people or adoption rejection. Sir the nubc
'S''1oh o. us SUBJECT would convulse this Common
,et;, mie are oher MODES of ascertaining public
chuhen'' without forcing this question upon the neonIo
Tor Poniscuous discussions; and if that sentiment should b
III ,aVoro me measure, il will assurcdly be adonted
lie occtedto the substitutes in the second MACE bc
cause IL Is 100 spechc Instead OF proposing princine
erS pecuhar plan, obnoxious many and very reai
ogoouv'S' suggests particular mode of effccnp
see1i oOec me committee, under such instruction
would be tcd down 10 single coursc-no latitude Of
choicc would he allowed them, no selection or bc Roc,
cas OODydte Tie dangers which must ever attend an
measure on inc kind or 10 guard and preserve the rs
O properly In reference TO this last subject he could mo,
agree WIN the gentleman from Berkeley mr. F,rLrnrN
VINO hadJust addressed the House. That gentleman CON-
tended mat the right OF property could not be enoved in
SUBJECTS winch mad no exstencetlat slaves no got Lor
ndd no existence and therefore property i'm them could
De exercised or claimed Hence he has inferred that
Jaw prospective characters designed to take effect solely
~ rcI'oh 70 'e post Hd Of those slaves who shall be
porn alter the passage of The law would not he vio,r
oil vested rights Sir the gcnemans argument proves loo
much, and IS therefore sound Bv p,rifv IF ,o,s;
ne nght snow That the Legislature has RIGHT IN onnro