Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-02-18
Fop THE WING.

an honest expression at my opinion WIN regard
TO The course the present Legislature IN the pie
nindc Of ITS wisdom, has seen fit to adopt res
pec'ing IA certain subject. which, IN my humble
opinion did not belong TO them wIsDGMLf To dis
cuss The effect of the lato discussion on the
gradual emancipation of our slaves, has indeed
created much excitement among the pcoplc--i'
has astonishcJ and confounded the PEOPLE: no
| thing has ever operated more powerfully to cx
cite the surprise and Indignation Of the public,
than the late attack, and indeed, cowardly as
SAUL, made upoc the rights of property. deem
It a duty, and right possess in common with
the rest of my fellow citizens, to express pub
Hcly, my disbpprobation of the unwise, inds
greet, and mad DEPRESSION OF legislative duty,
which has characterised the conduct of portion
OF the members of the Virginia LegIslature.-
AS member OF this community, and as a c'ti-
zen OF the Commonwealth of Virginia, have
right 10 declare my hostility to their proceedings
IN the case before Woodworking nothing per-
sonaliy. Thcir right To discuss this matter,
seems to have been founded in one, two, or
three tlnat cal, fear embracing memorials, dc
tatcd from sense Of, either, religious duty, or
a scrvilc and unbecoming fear. Upon this ground
ALONE, much injury has been done, not only in
pecunlary way, but TO The peace. harmony
and wel!-bcing of the society Of this ancient
| Commonwealth
| The Rubicon rW nat h. passed this session: be
wise to-day, it's madness to defer. I adnonish our
iawgivers, who may transact the peoples business
| hereafter: in the name of God and good order to
stay, hold! hold. for the present has greatly dis
turbcd the rcposc of society: ''rOn popuH Del"
1t is incompatible with of propriety to say
| what may be the result of the Importance g.
ven the subject at this untimey and inauspicous
period Topics of vast national and State impor-
lance, arc multiplying upon consideration dali
iy' and in the name of Liberty and happy Amcri-
ca, let our Statesmen and politicians settle down
10. soino certain point of quietus--to Danish from
the minds of those who constitute the bone and
snew of our land, all for the liberties of be-
loved America Let us cast a retrospective view,
and in it, contemplate the high and holy icsty
oil 1.-THE times That tried mems SOULS" and contrast
them with these, of liberty, happiness, content
III the language of great man, it was those that
gave birth TO 'the greatest and completcst revo-
luton the world ever knew" and it ''glorious-
ly and happily accomplished" i ask now, where
| are we? Bio,rn about by the oinds the polit-
cal ocean OF uncertainty, cruising near the quick
sands of Notification (horrible placer and fanatic
ism (worse)? profess prophetic spirit, but /
| hazard the prediction--thc melancholy prediction
that unless THINGS take turn, with a reasonable
period for their accomplishment, will he lost;
ana every patriot Will have to lament for the lost
| liberties of his country. God grant that | may
| be wrong. bat these melancholy things impress
my mind with solemn awe
Alter we had emerged from colonial oppress-
ION and vassalage, and spoke to tho naughty Mo-
march of Albion that ,re pOuid be Free what pre-
dlctions did we hear concerning destiny as Il
Republican People? Did not hear them pro-
phesying continually, evil about us-that our Re.
public would crumblc into atoms, and ''the great
| est and o"mpletest revolution the world ever
knew" resolved into original chaos, x all schemes
for the government of man in soce'y, repEbli-
can principles, were articles OF FANCY, and that
thing would do for frail mortals but monarchy?
As feoman of Virginia, entertain awful fears
Of the realization of forci.n prcscicnce. We be-
hold now, State dissentions, national quarres, and
petty disputes-in short, the omn presence of po-
lhical, moral and religious dsputatioas to
sustain the unnoly exotic aspirations of our quon-
dam enemy.
constitution is not the act of a government
| n n md
government without constitution, is PAGER tciih.
out right. All power exercised over nation
must hare some beginning. 1t must be either dele
gated or assumed. All delegated power is TRUST
and all assumed power is usurpation. The Lcgis
lature has assumed the power to legislato our
rtght and title to negro property, and therefore by
usurpation, assumed trust not confidcd TO them.
Who can demand of the owners of this property
whether Legislative othcrwsc) imperiOusiv and
without their consent, forfeiture of their right
to this or that property, without infringing upon
the dearest rights OF man-ie not excepted This
subject, says one. "must be settled Legislative
one, 6y the majority of The representatives., bv
! a majority o! the voters of the Comm nwcath."
This is strange idea, and a benutifL commenta-
ry on delegated power. Behold the servant is above
| his master! Our right and title 10 property is de-
fined in the constitution, and by what authority
have they made all this ssary FUSS and
| ated so many impediments to the future harmony,
peace and good order of society? The great ma
Jority OF the people never dreamed of such thing
not the most distant idea entertained of
such Course, that the subject would be magni-
ned by futile inaginations INTO such import
ancc and consequence. Surely the friends of
emancipation could not have been blind and in
ert in the faculties Of perception, to discover
that the agitation Of the subject would inevitably
lead to confusion, and sudden deterioration in
value of that species of property Surely there
must be something in the word SLAVERY, abhor-
rent to the fine feelings of those gentemcn--they
cannot contemplate the existence of it,
without emotions of heartfelt sorrow, and
unfcgned regret, that the Almighty in his
providence should allow these things to bc-that no
has permitted part of the human family to serve
the other. do not know what others NAV think;
as for me- believe that slavery as il exists i'm Viz
GINA is no evil, and that it every kne,o h0to
govern his own family in proper manner, that
instead of its being evil, gOod would flow from
IT.. Indeed know it. common scnso view of
it, as IL really doeS crst, will demonstrate our
head-long Out clever Notwithstanding politicians,
this to be fact beyond controversy. why did
they not let circumstances produce their
tural ciiects2 The means resortcd to in tho dis
cussion had not Il natural tendency, such
cannot, to produce the nou-cxstcncc of slavery
ITS existence therefore is inevitable; if not by r0iun
tory contributions abolished No legislative en-
actment can deprive of right guaranteed by the
Constitution because it is (thc eglslature)
adultratcd composition of TRUST brought into being
NY the sovereign people, at whose md they arc to
obey. The right to slavery has constitutional
descent all other rights have; and its geneology
is traced to all anterior generations, and nothing
short of another Convention can make it spurious
property, annihilatc our rights thereto. There.
fare resoiUed, by The people 10 rhOm this subject is
- rCferred-t0t il is the opinion NJ this committee,
fh0t ii is inerpcdenf for the present and all other
future time, make any Legislative enacfmcnts far
the oboljtoD NJ SiGrry-thdt II ii must be aboiiSh.
II I'd, kHoc NJ oijcr plan, ,chercby it be lar
mo0jOnSiy cGccicd, Int by UOIuHtdry contribution.
a0y other bejDe in coHtrarcfioH To the Constitution