Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-02-02
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"Wednesday EsUeisslsS. zUD. a.
GLANDS nElr ~

'HANDS OFF,"
NJ We are surprised to find the Politico Arena,
while i, condemns with spirit, the mcddling of the
u. States Telegraph in the question of abolition,
admitting, or rather charging, that " many pruci-
pies in the highest degree improper and mschev-
Gus, have been maintained in the of the dis
cussiop"-and that 'mischicvous opinions have
been uttered" We understand the Arena to ap-
prove of the enquiry into the expedicncy Of acting
TO assert, that the people of Virginia "arc not
fools, or idiots, dIunkards, that they should not
be allowed TO sit in judg ment upon their own af
tairs'-and in short, to be an advocate of Abolition
This being the case. does it call the above backing
its friends? Or is it cmporising7 Purchasing to-
lcration for its own horctiea opinions at the sacri
flee of those who, in the Legislature have hazarded
their political standing by maguanmously facing
the crisis and daring to break the silence of gene.
rotlons, and to proclaim great, but uppalatablc
lessons of wisdom? II is no cause and no time
for such timid and milk and water friends. No
man has the right to pretend friendship for cause
and in that guisc, to deal it wounds more fatal
thon open enmity infict. When ar enemy
makes assertions like the above the known hosti
lily of the ncutralizcs The accusation; but
when they proceed from friends, they Stall with
the force of extor,ed testimony from an unwilling
witness.
AS for the article from tho Telegraph, upon
which the Arena comments, it displays an arro-
gancc which we had hoped, misfortune had ,chip-
ped out of that paper. Why should not Gen.
Green permit the Commonwealth of Virgiaia to
deliberate upon her own fircside matters, without
his interference, advice rcproof7 Has he more
at stake, than the General Assembly, which has
conducted this enquiry Has Virginia at any time,
required eXtrancous counsel TO manage her own
nffairs' BY what authority does he presume to
say TO the General Assembly that cit Uhe debate
on slavery could not possibly be productive of any
GOOD and must necessarily, produce great and du-
rao!c cvi!F' Or to read long and reProvug homi-
lies, upon the conduct of master and slave, and
what the State of Virginia ought or ought not to
do! by what patent does he arrogato the right of
saying to the General Assembly, that those who
nave agitated this subject now, have incurred a
weighty responsibility for which they will be held
accountable to the people?' Let this gentleman
mind his own afiairs-make and unmako, Minis
ters and Presidents. We trow he has his hands
1ull; That his shoulders already sustain burthen
full as heavy as he lug along. We protest against
any external meddling in the domestic concerns of
% THIS Commonwealth; especially we protest against
mcddling in this questions; and far above all, we
ment which may prevail, into the channel of the
Presidential Election, in faUor Of Mr. Calhoun OIL
any other individual We noticed the article sign
ed "the South" in the Telegraph: we can Law on,
finger upon the author and we penetrated his in
sidloos design. 1t is time in very truth, TO stant
upon the rights and sovereignty of the State wher
Commonwealth respectable as Virginia, can
not investigate domestic question without rude
and pratutOuS info
from abroad, and the instant attempt on the par
OF Presidential Aspirants, and their partizans anG
lnrlgucrs, TO convert it to the benefit of their am
pltion. Most unhappily for our country, such i.
i's situation. Every thing every question, ever,
interest," whether pertaining to the General Go
veTnmio.s, ., o.,c.usiyeiy domestic, is seized upor
by the spirit Of President making, carried into the
general fund of Presidential augmentation anc
adjudged to be meritorous injurious, it cal
be made to help this Presidential Asprant, or to in
jarc that. We have discovered an evident purpos
to array the whole South on this question, and t.
direct the excitement to Mr.. Calhoun's advance
ment. The clovcn foot stood confessed in that in
sdious article, signed ''the South" to which w
have referred But say, let this question if n
other, exciting and momentous, be kept bol
from the Presidential scrsmble; let no man presum
~ CohicCI VIC purposes OF his lndlVldnai amDltlO
with it. No one who appreciates it properly, woul
deign to weigh the interests of Calhoun Cla,
any other man, for the thousandth part of a Sc
cond, against a question which involves the dcst
MES of two races through all ages to come.
Mr.. Calhoun, Gen. Green for him, propose
to mount this hobby for the purpose of pursuin
the Presidency, we hope he will give over the d.
sign: and that now and forever, they and all othe,
triiiy Of Crinin, Will -, tI,o.r
sion, be good as to permit this Comm onweal
to manage her private affairs, in her own wa,
That way may not be the best way; President m;
kers may point out better; but Virginia has col
quercd the privilege of doing wrong, if she choose
it. She is over old 10 be schooed, and over 2ror
TO be rode by Presidential Aspirants.