Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-03-01


perry cannot be constutionay taken for public uses
without making just compensation can il constitution.
ally be rendered vauless in the hands of tho owners un-
der the pretence Of regulating and controlling the use
H. law with such an object would be a mere evasion
unworthy the dignity and integrity of public legislation
Holding these opinions, denounce unjust oppres-
sve and UNCONSTITUTIONAL every plan for the abolition of
slavery which does not provide full and adequate
satlon TO their owners. Even however with such pro-
a'o, no such measure would In our opinion be either
practicable or wise Whether contemplate immediate
or prospective emancipation, the subject appears TO us
surrounded with difficulties too serious 10 be voluntarily
encountered and too great 10 be overcome nv any ea
lave provisions. In this respect we do but follow The
lights OF other times. Every plan heretofore suggested
ana they nave beer many and varous-has been aban-
doned as mpracucabc. We have now 20 offer with
better recommendations We shrink with dildence from
task TO which the best wisdom the wset age
Try en i'sen unequal The occasion does full
discussion oil the subject in all its important bearings up
ON private right and public policy is enough for us 10
declare opinions and to solemn protest as we
now do, against any and every plan compulsory eman
cpaon by law, whether it be 20 take effect immediately
orat any after time. We recognise no difference i'm min
ePie, between present and prospective emancipation
ihcy Involve the same violation OF private right and the
same unwarranted assumption of Legislative power They
are equally beyond the our Treasury eona
pcrity OF Eastern Virginia.
with these views of the utter hopccssness of the al
tempt we have marked the progress of the discussion
In inc House oil Delegates with equal astoni hmcnt and
sorrow. The wisdom of past times considered this sub
Ject Int only Tor secret deliberations and far too delicate
ana dangerous character, TO be openly debated Public
opnon throughout Virginia has sustained the Legislature
In this cautious When was that opinion CHANGED;
we have seen no evidence of any change whatever we
doubt not that the shock which have felt al this s
disrespect TO public opinions and this bold and unpre
cedented attempt TO dictate to- instead of obevng pb
opinion has been felt with equal force The Com
onweaiih Ii course OF this kind, could al any time he
justified paated, common prudence should have tougb,
iorbcarance the late occasion In Aupust ,berc -,
nsurrecuon among the slaves marked at every step by
atIocious and unsparng massacre In January iooyin
TITS openly debated in the Legislature whether this very
does not render necessary, universal
sipaon OF the slaves! An invitation thus direct to re-
Peuuon Oh the southampton horrors and coming too from
such high authority, will scarcely be misunderstood Inv
,hose to whom it is addressed The occasion was pccu.
nariy ii-chosen in other respects Fanatcism both in
Religion and in Politics, has been and still is busy in Other
quarters, in striking at the peace safety OF the Sob
erh states by disseminating false andmpracticabc notions
creating discomfort, and exciting spri,
among the slaves The force of public opinion and tbc
vigilance OF the public authorities, have heretofore ken,
snSse attempts within some bounds But this shield of
defence Is now taken away from In the Legislature
Virginia. and under the high responsibility of that trust
doctrines have been avowed unsuited to our condition
as ihannatory and as dangerous any against which
the universal voice TO be raised When coin
from other quarters. When again complain of incen
diary publications. OF incendiay preaching and of the
long tram OF insidous practices against peace and safe
W. which have heretofore united in one common feel
ing oil resentment and indignation, may prepare TO be
sienced by the extraordinary TRUTH that the example has
Deeh given IN our own councis These but part of
The considerations which should have induced the cgs
a.re 70 wat with modest respect for farther develop
ments OF public opinion; before thew venred IN br.a
the seal which public opinion most wisely imposed and
which cautious prudence has guarded for so years
II is not the least OF the evils Of this unprecedented de-
BATE that has removed all the public press
know the value of Free Press and would guard its
freedom as the strongest of our safeguards But we
so KNOW us power and we fear as the most successful
engine Oh mischief, when ndiscreety employed. The
condition OF slave population is felt with intense inter-
est by all the people OF Virgniat has long been sub
Ject OF deep reflection among Them all its bearings and
relations They do not need be stimulated to any safe
eNeron by exciting paragraphs have they yet asked
10 DC instructed In their course by any form of public
pcphfa of -,
should be the echo of public opinion but should not at
tempt to lead it We believe that the Richmond ENQUIRER
this Those papers are read by all ei S o
scrptons OF people throughout Virginia and necessarily
exert e a powerful influence tho public mind.
-lhey also circulate extensively in other States
where they received the organs of public
opinion here. 1t bchoves them therefore, to be extreme
cautious, how they admit into their columns, articles of
questionable tendency such may mscad public opi
mon abroad in regard the sentiments and intentions o
Virginia upon this delicate subject We believe that those
sentiments and intentions have not been expressed the
legislative debate, and still less the commentaries upon
the debate in which the public press has freely ndug
cd IL was the duty of leading Journals TO set an example
oil more clrcumsPection and reserve upon this subject
We do not doubt the sincerity nor the patriotism of the
Journals In question: but believe that the course they
are ain ana are sui pursuing, is unwisc and ndScree
and perous in the highest degree such as Justly ex
poses them public rebuke The Enquirer demands
cuar animadverson since that paper although sustained
Tor more than twenty years. by the almost unanimous sup
port OF the people of Eastern Virginia. has now for the
second Time, and on grea, OCCASION taken decided stand
We have apprehension of instruction among our
slaves. They for the part well disposed order
y ana would he contented, ii let alone. They at all
events, too well informed OF their comparative weak
ness TO hazard the fatal consequences themselves which
would attend any such attempt. But we do not OIL this
account, the less dcplore course of proceeding on tho
part OF the legislature and the public press calculated TO
excite In them, uniounded hopes, render them dssas
fled with their condition, give them false ideas of their
power and to excite them TO insurrecionary movements
which could serve only TO strengthen their bonds
and aggravate the evils of their condition.
We believe that the occasion mperiousv demands a
public expression of opinion the part OF the people
The consequences may be fatal TO themselves if their
ence shall be construed into approval of the wild doc
tnes recently avowcd the ndiscreet and dangerous
course oil public measures, reference this subject
When public agents suffer themselves to forget the source
OF their power, it is time for The people to speak, and TO
speak In language too distinct and strong be msnder
stood We, therefore, invite fellow in other
parts OF the state, and particularly in the slave holding
countless TO meet together by one open expression Of
opinion prescribe the of future regard
to this subject.
*When owing ao disastrous events this question bcao Tho
TOPIC OF ociye debate in private tho
extraordinary Excitement through I'm,
pess heir ideas others appeals were made
ghufe, and discussions there held opnu
could the entirely closed 10 This
What would have been said Of the Editor
ing his opinions discreet and moderate manne Could he have
escaped the what would have bqcn called
his Pu'iianimi' Would have been thought worthy Of
me support OF free and independent people? Would tho
citizens OF Northampton have despsed mcannc and
dcued aress which opinions m
rho Meeting also hit opinions Convention
Lot us reply, that this Press respectful for
tho support has received would those who
sustained H. u had feared believed TO 6o tho
LSTtTdCt Of letter to member of the House of De-
IegdfeS
'Ihc meeting by which the Northampton Resolutions
and Address were adopted, was very full one. The
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