Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-01-28

tuition, which declares '.that private property
shall not be taken for public uses, without jusr
compensation" applies. This. sir, is n restrain,
imposed upon the GuvERNMENT OF THE UNI
TED STATES by that article. do Lot contend
that private property can be taken by ANY Go
vrNNMENr for public uses without just coupon
satlon; but III examining our chartered rights up
ON that subject, l wish to lay my finger upon
the proper instrument, and that IS not the Con
stitu,on OF the United States, applico bic to
the power OF THIS LEGISLATURE over the pro
pcrty of its citizens, but the Constitution aud
Bill of Rights of Virginia; these sir, Will now
examine.
| The Constitution of Virginia contains the
very identical provision mentioned IN that OF
the United States, 10 wit: "that private proper
ty shall not be taken for public without lust
compensation" and this has been quoted over
end over again, and relied upon as conclusive
that the Legislature cannot act III this matter.
! Who, sir has dreamed of taa;ug private pro-
pcrty for pUbiIc use, without Just compcnsaion?"
Does anv ore expect that the State shall derive
any profit or emolument from the savess No.
sir, on the contrary, does not every one anti
cpGte that n heavy loss vii! fall on the Com
moawcath, III the transport alton of this species
of property To d tsrelgn ,huree The proposition,
Mr.. Speaker is not whether the State shall
take the slaves for public uses, but this, WuErm.
TIE LicIsi.ATCRE HAS TIE RIGHT TO CON.
rki. TIE OWNERS OF SLAVES, UNDER A pENAL-
Tr, WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, TO REMOVE
THE FUTURE INCREASE OUT OF THE COUNTRY.
| This, sir, ia the proposition and The only one
intend TO discuss. Is The power to compel AN
individual to remove his property. when il is dan.
gerous 10 the community, hnheard Of even
uncommon? Is 1t not exercised almost every
day even by our municipal authorities, Let 4
h"n'c DC ON the brink of preCiEice, near pub
nc street; let 1t be 'otcrlrg and in danger OF
falling on the passcr5 by--is there no power 10
controu! II? Are the rights of property SO sa
nj re, IN "a,
Are the lives and safety of the people
TO be Je"pardcd, without redress, by
destructive building Of this nature? No sir
the town authorities acting upon the principle
mentioned 10y the gentleman from Brunswick
sAIUS PErULI surEEMA EST lex, will soon direct
the police officer to pull i, down, if the ,.wne,
does not secure 1t. merchant has 4 large
quantity OF gun powder in his store. Its explo.
sion would cndanger the town. Can he not be
Compelled to remove 1t to Mace of safety,
lie may, If he choosc, leopard his own life by
his rashnGsss, but he has no right 10 cndancer
NINE. III" may, SIR, be compelled To remove it,;
the pubic security requires ! Jud that is aupc-
nor tn all other laws. A factory in Il town is
i"uhd To he INJURIOUS TO the health Of the cit-
Zcns 1t may to ahatcd by process of law Sur
pose SIR a vessel Were To arrive in James Ri
yer from Europe with cargo intec cd with the
oiScasc mat Is now Tavaclng portion OF that
continent. Suppose it we're so thoroughly i'm
prcEnatcd with The ccnta giun that it could not
be erad!catcd. Think yeu, sir the citizens rf
N'chtlond, would hesitate TO throw it overheard:
ana ny VIVA, law would they be protected? The
one nave alluded to--the supreme law of the
iaiu-lhe sal ~ OF the people; q law superior 10
thc f!Cht OF property. Now, sir. let us examine
TINS principle in reference 10 the subject mat
tei IN debate. 1t is admitted by all vino have
addressed this House, that slavery alrtad is n
curse, and an increasing one That IT has been
obstructive TO tie lives of cur citizens, history
increase Wi!l create Intestine corlmotion, cannot
be doubted. The time then sir has a,rivod
"iCh me SALts roPCLi applies, and every con.
siueIati"h ol patriotism requires US To upon it,
inns principle this fundamental principle
the safety OF the people, embraces not ONLY the
prcSen, race, but pos;crlty also. The gentleman
from Brunswick, with great force and elooncnce
has insisted that the master has property NOT
only Ia the female lave, but in the issue AID IN.
fiN!TuM. And, sir. we have an interest not
merely IN our own welfare, but in that of orr
posfcr'y. We are bound to legisote for them
"s we! as Tor ourselves. This principle, that
postcrIty are interested in the acts of their nm
cestors, is recognized in the ELL CT Rights. in
inc very ErSt section of It. That instrument is
haIo"ed by It's antiquity by the double Coil
Hrmatlon the people Of this Dominion NAV
say, mat 1t Is superior to the Constitution rscf
as mat pToiesses to be based upon the Bill of
hi9h'S. What says that instrument? "That
man has certain unalIcnable rights, of which.
Whcn tie enters into society, be cannot by anv
compact deprive his posteriry; namely, the err
Joymcnt of life and liberty, with the means of
acquiring and possessing property, and -pursu-
ing ana obtaining happiness and safety" Has
slavery lnteriered with our means of eniovino
LIFE, LIBERTY, PROPERTY, HAPPINESS and SAFE
Ti' Look at Southampton. The answer is writ,
zen IN LETTERS or GLocD upon the floors cf that
unhappy county ULder these circumstances
may we not enquire into the right of our arccs-