Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-01-31


all the mercy every indulgence, that is compatible
with the peace and safety of the Commonwealth when
they regard them property they subject them TO the
same rules that govern all other personal property Ithas
been shewn that the rule of pGrtus seGuitr rentreDi
ono which governs that property The laws which de-
clare them 10 be property, were in existence when
Constitution formed. IT, then, you deprive us of
right of property in the future increase you guilty of
naction of the Constitution by changing the rules
upon which the value OF this species of property is al
most entirely dependent
would ask, then, why will you submit proposition
the people, which carries upon its face constitutional
defect Do gentlemen believe that the people g
norant not to understand the meaning and intent of the
great charter by which they protected! Or do they
believe that, seeing the unconstutionality OF the
sure, they will then be rash TO adopt it that they
will break their constitution, and pull down the beautiful
fabric which they have just erected at much expense?
Sir this proposition never obtain the support OF the
Intelligent citizens of Virginia Do then the advocates OF
the gradual abolition of slavery BY Legislative enactment
expect to devise any scheme to fix upon plan, that
will meet with the appreciation OF this Legsture' Do
they boose that this body will take upon itself the high
responsibility of acting this subject, without farther
communication with their constituents? Sir, cannot,
dare ought not pass any law affecting pro.
perry to the immense of ninety millions of dollars
without the most explicit that such step
taken with the full knowledge and appreciation of the peo-
pie Every rule that governs the conduct of agent
towards his prncpa-cvery principle OF our democratic
instuionsovcry tie that binds the representative to his
constituents, iorbis our present action the subject.
Why not then discharge the committee once FROM the
further ofthe subject; Why shall from
them the presentation schemes which we cannot adopt
why endanger the peace deprecate the property, co
parlze the lives of citizens by the reported decara-
uon oil sentiments the most revolutionary in their charac-
ter, ana upon which we know, we dare not acts
Sir, much has been said about the miserable condition
OF our slaves They have been represented poor
graded and wretched class of the community If rentle-
men will look TO the condition of the poorer classes of So
cicy in those countries which have been held up
TO our view as bright examples of the prosperity and hap
pness that attend nations free from this bightng evil of
slavery, which has been made the theme of much eIo
quence In this House, they will find objects possessing
much higher claims to their commseraton than the slaves
in Virginia. Let them their ewes 10 Great Britain
and they will behold in that most powerful of the nations
oil the earth mass OF corruption and of misery over
which the Phanthropist may indeed mourn In feet
the lower orders OF almost every nation Europe would
oeneh by the exchange OF their condition for that o our
In inc possession and enjoyment OF those comforts
WIN when liberty aye, even life is almost curse rath-
or than blessing, they yield to slaves who are well
treated; and all, Sir well treated Self interest
the laws OF the land and the powerful influence of public
sentiment all combine TO procure for them abundance
the comforts and necessarcs and even many of the ux
es oil me- They are happy and feelings of gratitude
have in most instances, attached them to us: and they
would continue 10 be happy and to love us ii modern phi
that they are miserable, and ought hate us as their o
Pressor. SHOW me- Sir, happier than of those
domesucs in the possession of kind and ndugen owner
Ouu Vi MS master ne assumes his name, apes his
ners puts on his air of dignity, and is been said by
most on'eryant writer cone of the veres AStocra in the
world these remarks, is true will apply mos, of
them; but we confidently believe that majority of them
woudooS uponit cruelty part to break a.
sunder the ties which bind them their masters and their
ianes aud send them unprovded for strange and dis
tant land Wa too Sir comparatively happy in the nos
session of them. Shcw me nation where the pettv f,cons
OF Its own Tree citizens the mobs and its lower orders
nave not caused distress and spread more alarm
over the face OF the country than has been yet occasion
ed by THIS class Of community. In the crowded and
populous countries of Europe few months pass away
without witnessing disturbances OF much wider extent
and more alarming character than one which has been
justly regarded as the exciting cause of the present dis
cussion The breaking up OF factory i'm England the in
PRODUCTION OF some new abour-saving machine sudden
reduction in the wages of the abourne classes so fre
qenty and xpecedy brought about result yearly in
occurrences that cause greater loss of peace and life
ever yetbeen occasionally the slaves of coun
try
Mr. sPeaker-thcrc is one view of this subject which
TO have escaped the notice of those who desired
discussion of this question before the House and who
favor its discussion before tho people They declaim up-
on the freedom OF spoech and the folly Of attempting
10 abdge the liberty OF the press; of placing padocks on
the mouths of Editors, without rejecting enough in NV
opinion, upon the peculiar Of the subject which
they propose thus publicly examine Slavery is sub
ject, Sir which cannot be discussed with safety in land
where exists. IL will bear public examinationits
peculiar nature orbids IT, On all other questions specch
s are MADE ana essays are printed for the purpose of in
forming and enighenng those who arc to act upon them
But IN the present case these speeches essays
are enghtenng not only those who act, also
those who are to be acted upon These ignorant and de-
graded wreches arc not entirely destitute the means
OF Information not learn the character of the
public proceedings which are had respecting them
they cannot long remain ignorant of the sentiments
;ndnaa are thns publicly expressed and il would
expressions favorable their cause when made bv The
very men who acknowledge that they hold them In
me most unjust and unnatural bondage. Yes Sir submit
@ Yuech 10 .e people, and you open the door for dis
cusslon which cannot be otherwise than dangerous Then
northern panphleeers
diary publications. unreSaned and the misguided fanatic
influence these slaves with rccitas of their yronos Sir
we have already gone farther than prudence dictated We
have already struck chord which may vbratc with most
fearful dlscord throughout this Commonwealth for some
time TO come. We much fear that the historian Of after
days VIII record the commencement this discussion as
SAD DAY IN The annals OF the Republic. WHY then shall
we go iarhers Sir let us dismiss the subject and
10 he performance oil the duties which been
assigned to us by the people They had no right TO ex
pect that we would be engaged in such discussions when
thcy elected u.s. We have just witnessed one of those re-
VouuonS III government which in other countries less
happy than our own effected only by wars and blood
shed we have Just exhibited the world the sublime
modi spectacle oil new government, planned and organ
ized without loss OF peace life Let us not even before
we have had tho least opportunity itno sn its
throw ourselves without means and without Information
INTO revolution far more important, difficult and peril
w pom
Gentlemen have told us that public sentiment s on the
march- we proceed too rashy in this subject that march
II Is much TO be feared, will be turned 10 nournfII
procession II they will openly discuss this question
thcy VIII obtain triumph but il will be after the massa
ere oil uo5e whom they propose benefit or of those
whom hey mold still more dear;-the shout of victory
VIII be heard alter the shrieks of their wives and chill
drcn. Inc gentleman just up, the gentleman from
SP0tt'ylVama, made beautiful allusion TO that tree
OF liberty, whose branches are extended over our han
by land Let him pursue the course which he baSad-
vocated and we shall not long reposc in its sbafe-
the buds OF happiness which are now BLOOMING forth so
hcauliuiy VIII soon be blasted, and the SONGS of o,
"inch issue from its boughs will be no longer heard
Mr. FAULKNER remarked, that, having submitted
10 the consideration OF the Select Committee the ONLY re-
solution before that body, recommending scheme Coy the
gradual extinction Of slaveryin the Commonweah-hicb