Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-03-28

reflected that they are advancing the same opinions
thc same sentiments, the same principles, which
thcrc accustomed those disastrous results. In the
commencement of the French revolution. Marat
anu Mlr1DSlu sometimes tremblcd ut the con-
temptation OF the fearful prccipicc. Our orators,
stimulated by thor own generous feelings, rush to
inc accomplishment of their holy purpose, with
'hc hrc o' enthusiasm burning on their checks. L
cohJurc Them to pause i'll their If IT were
thelr deliberate purpose to excite slaves to uni
Vcrsai insurrccton, what topic could they have dis
cuSScd which they have now left untouched Have
thcy not cNPatatcd OH the miscrics of slavery, and
ucPlctcd It's suilcrings in the most melancholy
strains! Have they not portrayed the lovclincss
vi liberty, and exhibited the goddess in all her de-
coratIonS, to the excited imagmatons of that race
vi men! Have they not invoked the genius OF uni
'crSal and eternal Justice? Have they not rccurr-
cd to the law of nature, and declared that accord
ing TO the provisions of that law, the black man
mas an ndccasiblc right to the full and free enjoy
mcnt OF his liberty Have they not addressed the
most lmpassioncd appeals to their heated and ca
aspcratcd passionsl Sir, [ ask, and ask cmphati-
caiy what additional topic they could have urged,
had they cherished the deliberate design of insti-
eating our slaves to instantaneous Instruction?
cannot imputc to them this design; but L admo-
nish thcm-amd solcmnly admonish them, that the
tendency OF their conduct is to produce
inns result They inspire them with fatal hopes,
which must terminate III disappointment, and III
consequent desperation They will stimulate
them to fierce Instruction. They chae and
cXaspcratc the Gagged Lion. They inspire him
with wrath and fury. They rcnd the bars which
restrain his rage, and send him to roam through
the deep, dark forest, to turn upon
iamilies. and imbrue his fdngs i'll the life
blood OF our little children. And SIR, when that
great day shall comc,--whcn mansions shall
be wrapt in flames, and the black smoke shall
burst from our house-tops:--whcn Swc shall be
startled from midnight slumbcrs, by the pierre
I'm pT Ice
children, filled with terror, and cngng To the neck
OF their murdered mothers corpse, shall be torn
away by the hand of the ruilian dashed against the
rock, or thrown, screaming, into the flames: when
aged mothers shall call, in vain, for protection,
from their slaughtered sons--where, l ask, will
these gentlemen be found? Not leading; not min
Cling with the black horde? No, sir do not say
It, do not believe it. / will not believe it. But
where, ask, will they be found? What to
expect from the gentleman from Rockbrdge, (Nlr
MooreO Has he not told that 'the Autocrat
OF Russia does not more deserve the name of ty-
rant, fer sending his hordcs Of barbarians TO
plant the blood-stancd banner of dcspotism the
walls of Warsaw, amid the desolaton Of all
that is dear to the hearts of frccmcn, than does the
petty tyrant who, in any other quarter of the
globe, is equally regardless of the acknowledged
rights of man." We know the import Of this
sentence. We know the firm spirit of the MEM
Der from Rockbridgc, We know that he would
''sooner be precipitatcd into the presence of his
offended God, with all his sins full blown upon his
mead, ana with lively conception OF the horrors
of a hell" than stain his hands in the blood of
fellow being struggling for the recovery of the in
alicnablc rights of man. What we TO
expect from the thoughtful gentleman from
the county of Berkeley? (Ir FaulkncrN AL
ready has he gloricd and cxuted in his own
good fortunealrcady has he sent to the Throne of
Grace the tervent expressions Of his gratitude for
having been allowed to record himself as one OF
the FIRST champions of this grand and patriotic
revolution" Will he endeavor to suppress a cause
which he proclaims to be thus glorious What
are we to anticipate from the impetuous spirit of
the gentleman from Montgomery (Mr. Prestono
Already has he likcned this conflict to the gene
rous efforts of Partisan patriotism. What, sir [
ask arc we to anticipate from the sublime genius
OF the gentleman from Kanawha (AIr. Summers.)
Already has he given life and being to the silent
medltations of Thomas Jefferson; and declared, in
the presence OF attentive world that in the
event of conflict with our slaves, there is not n
solitary attribute of Deity which could take part
on the side of the white man. Could we EXPECT
OF nm to abandon his princpes-defy the wrath
OF offended HcavCn-and aid in the suppression of
a cause which he has sustained with so much zeal
and ability? Where then, | ask, are we to expect
to lind these gentlemen in that black, tremendous
DAY! Not minglIng with the black horde? No.
sir; that cannot be. If such suspicion had fastcp
ed on my mind, would insert my own talons and
tear the black conception from my brain. But
where will these gentlemen be found? With the
genus OF Byron--trcading the mountain tops and
gazing on the dcsoiation which burns through the
plan! Gracious Heaven are these the lust ex
Poncnts OF popular will? Have these sentiments
universally obtained! Have they found gene
raj acccptatlon the west of the lofty Blue
Mountain? Have friends there, who che
rlsh Tor the East, one generous sentiment? Is it
10 DC regarded as reproach, that they cherish
some sympathy for suticrings, and are disposed
to extend to us the hand of affection in the day of
our great calamity? Shall they be rcbuked and
reProached, black spots on the vestal robe? Sir
II these sentiments be diifuscd through the broad
Wcst-lft they animate the mighty Allegheny, we
have nothing to hope from the deliberations of the
mountain but Il recurrence of the horrors of ST.
Bartholomew!
Mr. Speakor,-If gentlemen have not been hur-
RED away by the heat and ardor of dcbatc-if they
cherish the fixed the immulablo purpose of renew
ing and pressing the consideration of this subject
then, say, there is no hope of peace except i'm
division of this great Commonwealth. 1t is a SEN
tIment which | announce with pain--with pain
fixed and acute: but the spirit of candor compels
me to the declaration, that prefer DIVISION to the
continued agitation of this question. And if the
agitation OF the question be continued, shall in
every character which may fill, exert myself to
produce that diuiSi0n. [ shall do so, mysclf.--I
snail earnestly recommend it to my constituents.
Sir, you can readily imagine the agony which it
cost, to proclaim to the world this determination
OF my mind. Duty required that should apprisc
my advcrsarics OF the existence of the sentiment
teel that nave discharged that duty. and leave
! The consequences TO my country---to my God.
| We have been enabled TO obtain for publication
only an imperfect sketch Of tile remarks made by
Mr.. Moore, in reply to Mr.. Goodc and Others upon
the motion of Mr.. Preston to amend the resolution