Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-01-19

pOiiou COnslueTcu, III referred 10 tie committee on this
subject, so important, and so intimately entwined around all
the ramifications of our domestic affairs. The excitement
alluded to by the gentleman from Mecklenburg, did
doubtless exist, and there could be little doubt that il was
caused by the action OF the House itself. He had risen to
state that he represented a chivalrous and generous peo-
pie, who went the whole length with their Eastern brc-
thren; and he should oppose all schemes of emancipation,
considering himself instructed by the general sense OF his
constituents TO take that course. But he hoped the Com
mittee would be allowed TO report on the petitions which
were from various parts OF the country, in order that the
views oil the Committee might be spread abroad among
the people, that they might decide.
Mr.. MOORE rose and said:
Mr.. Speaker,6 rise to express the strong hope which
L entertain, that the resolution submitted by the gentleman
from Mecklenburg, may not be adopted, and to urge some
considerations in favor of its rejection. l understand, that
upon this motion, the whole question as TO the abolition of
slavery in this Commonwealth, comes properly into dis
cussion; and l regret very much that it does so, for several
reasons, but principally, because my attention has been so
exclusively devoted to other subjects of importance refer
red to your Select Committee, ever since it was formed,
that l have not had an opportunity of bestowing so much
reflection upon the great question of emancipation as will
enable me to lay my views before the House in an accep-
table manner. III were not apprehensive that no other
opportunity may be afforded me of expressing my senti-
ments upon this subject, L should not now trouble the
House with any remarks upon it. But, entertaining some
fears that such might happen to be the case, should the re-
solution now under discussion be adopted, 1 have deter
mined to throw myself upon the intelligence of the House,
with a hope'that all proper allowance will be made for my
want OF the necessary preparation to discuss so important a
question. L shall feel every disposition in DISCUSSING this
resolution, TO respect the feelings, the rights, and even the
prejudices OF not only the members of this House, but of
the people OF every portion Of this Commonwealth
But the duty | owe TO my constituents and TO myself, and
the lasting influence which our determination of this cues
ton may have upon the future prosperity ofmy country,
leave Inc ne other alternative, but TO express my senti-
ments, openly, unequivocally, and decidedly upon it. If
it should be my misfortune to use any expressions offensive
to any gentleman present in the course of the observa-
tons | shall make, L trust he will impute it, not to any de-
sire TO offend, but TO a determination to do what | consci-
entiously believe to be right. Let me beseech the men,
bcrs OF this House to reflect well what they are called
upon to do by this resolution, and in what attitude thew
will stand before the public should it be adopted. At an
early period OF the present session, a number of memori-
ais were presented to this Assembly, from various parts of
the Commonwealth, recommending the adoption of a sys-
tenn for the gradual emancipation of all the slaves in the
State. The reference of one of those memorials was
warmly opposed; the proposition it contained was fully
discussed; and after full and mature elaboration, this
House determined TO refer it TO a Select Committee which
had been raised, TO take into consideration a number of pe-
tihons, concerning free negroes and slaves, which, had been
previously presented. And the votes of the members ofthis
House, now stand recorded upon that question of reference.
And, Sir, what has happened since that time to make il pro-
per to recall that memorial from the consideration of Your
committee hat has happened since then. which should in
ducc ust retrace our steps? Why, Sir, wo > told that the
hay instead the people of the State as to the views Of ,his
Assembly concerning our slave population. Not, Sir, that
they have undertaken to predict what this Assembly will
do' put merely to declare their own opinions as TO what
ought to be done, for l do not understand that any of them
have gone farther than this. And is this a sufficient rea-
son Tor the adoption OF the resolution now before usl 1
have often heard it asserted that Mr.. Richie, the Editor
principally alluded to, exercised too much influence ever
the politicians OF this State, and / have been strongly in
clned to believe that the fact was so.--But, Sir, i had
'N'S' SSoht w iN hihi IONs tUdl tHC OAR ADrcSSlO
OF an opinion by him, or any other individual, however
distinguished, would be sufficient TO disturb the whole
course oil our legislation. had hoped better things ofthe
Commonwealth had not conceived il possible that she
could ever sink to so degrading a state of dependence on
the opinions oil any man, as TO make il important to the
General Assembly, what he might say or do. / hone the
Tune has not yet come when we are prepared to acknow-
ledge the existence ofsuch a state of things, by voting for
the gentleman's resolution for such a reason. 1t may not
be improper in me to take this occasion to remark, that al
though i have always had a high personal regard for Mr..
kitchie, have almost invariably differed with him upon
all political questions, and that | have never hesitated TO
censlire freely his political course. 1t is but Just that /
should add, that L regard the bold, manly and independent
manner in which he has ventured to declare his opinions
upon the subject of slavery, as worthy of the highest APP
probation and admiration. He has done an act sufficient
to cover a multitude of sins; and | am almost disposed
to assert, that, had he been guilty of more faults than
are recorded IN Heaven against any man, living or
dead, L should be prepared to forgive and forget them
all, in consideration of the noble stand which he seems
10 have taken IN the cause OF humanity-The only
other reason assigned in favor Of adopting this resolu-
ton is, that much excitement has arisen in the coun-
try, from an apprehension that we are about TO interfere
with the rights of private property. | should regret, at all
times, the existence of any unnecessary excitement i'm the
country, upon any subject; but, Sir, | confess 1 see no rea-
son to lament that which may have arisen on the present
occasion. Ii is often necessary that there should be some
excitement among the people, TO induce them TO turn their
attention TO questions deeply affecting their interests, and
the welfare of the Commonwealth and there never can
arise any subject more worthy their attention than that of
the abolition of slavery.
As nothing has occurred since the reference of the me-
MORALS on the subject of emancipation TO YOUR Committee.
which IN my opinion ought 10 induce us to recall them,
we must enquire into the original propriety of that refer
ence. The memorials referred were from various parts Of
the State, signed by great numbers of our most respectable
cnlzens, many OF them deeply interested in that species
oil property which is to be affected by the adoption of sys-
tenn OF emancipation, and all OF them entitled TO a respect
iul hearing from this Assembly, upon any and on every
subject. 10 have rejected their memorials without a re-
ference, would have been an insult to them. and tanta-
mount to a denial of the right Of the citizens of this Com
monwealth, to be heard upon questions in which they are
most deeply interested. IL was known too, that's vast ma
jority Of the people of this Commonwealth, locked to this
present General Assembly, TO make some efortto derive the
means of removing the colored population from among us.
II was evident to all, that although in times past, lowing 10
the apathy of the human mind, TO every danger but that
which is present and ~palpable) the evils end the dangers
arising from the continued existence of slavery among US,
had escaped the observation of all, but those who had de-
votedtbeir attention TO that subject; yet recent events had
opened the eyes of the whole people TO the magnitude Of
these evils, and TO the immincncc of the danger which is
impending over them. And in my estimation, to have at
tempted under these circumstances, to shrink from the in
v~estigation of this important subject, would have been to
disregard the dictates Of wisdom, and of prudence. IL is
utterly impossible, Sir, for us TO avoid the consideration Of
this subject, which forces itself upon our view, in such a
manner that we cannot avoid il. As well might the Apos-
tie have attemptedto close his eyes against the light which
shone upon him from heaven, or to have turned a deaf ear
TO the voice which reached him from on high, as for this
Assembly TO Try TO stine the spirit Of enquiry which is
abroad in this land, as TO the best means OF freeing the
State from fne curse Of slavery. The monstrous conse-
nucucca tvt1ch a,,so c-nr, Ho ov.etouc. r. .Ia.o.. -.