Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-02-09

stand their real condition at least well they pos
sbly do. And what say they' We reposny in sccu-
r,y under own vine and gtrcc not ulled as you OF
the West seem TO think, into Of false security;
sleeping upon Volcano whose smoulderiug fires will, at
moment that you think not burst forth with irresistible
fury and pour its desolang floods of over the land
No; We belicvc-pardon our obsnacy-that are in a
state OF real bona Ge security Ii Ia true that several
petitions presented 10 the Legislature praying the
passage OF law on the subject OF black population
But we hazard nothing in affirming that such energetic
measure the abolition of slavery dreamed Of
even by those very petitioners themseves--a measure
which has been more thon hinted at-which has been
threatencd and is striking fact that portion those
petitioners have addressed subsequent memorial to the
same body, declining the poiered aid. All that was con-
tcmpated, the utmost that desired was that the free
black population should be removed from among and
that every possible facility should be afforded those who
should be hereafter disposed cmancipate their slaves
transport them TO some safe asylum at the public
pense III such measure were adopted, it cannot be
doubted that there many slave holders now In yro
MIA prepared TO emancpac their slaves those cond
TONS Viewing the question: therefore, of exped-
cncy only the mpolicy OF legislative action beyond the
point which have indicated, be quite apparent
IL said that the general prosperity OF the State would
be promoted by The abolition OF slavery and thus sub
tung free labor for slave labor. Admitting the PROPOSE
ton to be perfectly true-and il is only Tor arguments
sake that the concession is madc-hat free labor is pre-
fcrabe, under oil circumstances to slave Iabor-or
think quite dcmensabc that slave labor is best adapted
10 the production of the great staples of the Southern
country the tobacco of Virginia. the cotton and rice Of the
Carolinas, and the sugar of MISUNDERSTANDING, say,
that free is preferable 10 slave labor yet own that
never could understand that enlightened aud liberal no.
Icy, which looks TO the accomplishment of great results
by the utter destruction of private and vested rights
And in one view of the subject the Constitution itself i'm
poses an insuperabc barrier the adoption of any COM
pusory process by which the property of slave holders
TO be wrested from hcm noenS rolenS, without making
them compen for it,
The principal and characteristic feature which so pre-
eminenty distinguishes the governmental systems of the
American States from those of the old world the feature
which imparts TO those systems their peculiar and ne
mabe value, is the invention and application TO them of
tcrtten constitutions by which the powers of govern
to he inct
within Defined wcascerained limits. IL is impossible
TO withhold our admiration from the beautiful simplicity of
ths plan OF governments and, for my part,
YER contemplate il without renewed and lively emo
tons OF gratitude TO those whose patriotic wisdom devised
It, This is the rich legacy which our fathers bequeathcd
TO us. God forbid that we should prove ourselves
unworthy of the inhertance We hold TO be an axiom
political science, as 1t is understood among that the
Constitution is the paramount and supreme law which can
never be affected by any act Of ordinary legislation that
the Legislature is the creature OF the Constitution derv-
ing all lis Legitimate authority from that high source, and
that no powers not conferred, which withheld by
mat sacred charter can be recognized properly appc
tanning TO it, will enter into argument to prove the
correctness oil this poson-for by argument that
be made clearer which is secvident The mere state
ment OF the proposition carries the mind the irresistible
evidence of its truth assume that it is inconcstibe
uncontroveribe But in what does the great virtue of
written Constitution consist Undoubtedly in great de-
gree, in staying the strong of legislative usurpaon
from the ruthless invasion Of private rights and securing
every citizen the full and undsurbed enjoyment of his
own property Such was certainly leading object the
adoption OF the present Constitution of Virgna for
expressly provided, that pvate property shall not be TAX
en- for public purposes without making lust
And how can the State make compensation She cannot
40 a. The slave property of Virginia. at fair valuation
worth hundred millions of dollars The State NAV
exhaust all her may dry up all her Sources
OF revenueshc cannot pay for them. The idea is worse
than Quxotic. Many Of the friends of abolition them.
selves admit that idle to talk of They
require you TO make sacrifice of your individual interests
on the altar OF the public good and give up your slaves
without compensation, peaccaby il you WILL otherwise
by torce There is one mode indeed which have heard
suggested (and it is the only one) by which the State can
pay you and that is, by imposing vchoders
pay for the saves-in other words by Withdrawing money
from your pockets with ono hand and extending to you
with the other in the shape of equivalent for your
slave. This notable scheme is certainly entitled tn,
merit OF originality but aware that il possesses
any other claim TO your favorable consideration.
II may appear unreasonable 10 address you this time
on this vitality interesting subject, since your Legislature
has decided by lean majority, that it is nexpcdcnt to e-
gslate upon at present True, they have decided
but you cgregousy deceived if you suppose that is
finally disposed Of The game is up, and the friends OF
abolition mounted on their hvorite hobby, will pursue il
wiIh pace as steady as time, and appetite keen
as death" The question is not settled. 1t will be agi
determined stand and select those only represent you
who will express your real sentiments, events will follow
which wise men cannot but foresee, which all good mel
must deplore. cannot but hope, that when our fellow
citizens of the West understand the real merits of ,h
question, they will abandon purpose, which f pcrsste,
in, will give fatal stab TO Consuion-will involve
the largest portion OF the Commonwealth i'm bankruptcy
and ruinwil probably embro us in the horrors of civil
and servic the least OF these evils will pro-
duce ACKNOWLEDGMENT Of the State. If Virginia re-
mains true TO herself in this crisis she may yet be saved
he good old ship which has withstood the shock of TO
reign wars and ridden in triumph overthc angry pillows
party sries may again bid defiance the fury of the ele
ments and reach her port in safety There are breaker
enough ahead God knows distinctly visible in the dis
lance, which she has TO encounter Do not them let he
founder on the sunken rock of domestic eudso hsor,
Is n Of examples TO show, that Gin the shipwreck of tho
State les float and preserved while all that vaua
BILE sinks 10 the bottom, and is lost forever. ROANE.
FOR THE EM'QUIRER.