Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-02-02


Cos. Sir, for ono, am anxious to demonstrate TO
tho world, that it is u subject which we are not
GJFdld to discuss-that we are prepared and will
ling to examine IT,, without any aflcctation of
mystery or conccamcnt. do rot regard it
characteristic of true courage and manly firmncss,
more than of ordinary prudence, to shut our eyes
and rush blindfold against danger without having
examined il: but the conraryto survey it careful
~ and deliberately i'll all its parts, so as to calculate
correctly it's extent and its capacity of injury
neither to cxagucratc its Importance, nor to under.
rate it--and to make preparations commensurate
with tho necessity, as to meet IL in the manner
best calculated to avert or subduc it, SO far as
fear is involved, hoped We shall never be afraid
to examine into our real situation. individuals s. ma
ions are often ruined from the fear of looking their
true condition in the face, in time. They avert
their eyes long as possible, from the contcmpla.
ton of impending difficulties The man in debt
is afraid 10 look into his accounts ~ ascertain the
extent of his endorsements, until they become
uSurmountable. BY surrendcring a part of his
property Il once, he might save the rest and fill up
the breach which imprudcncc had made, and by
altered habits prevent ITS recurrence. But he
avoids rc!icc,on-c continues to hold on all until
| at last The storm breaks heavily upon him, and
ruin awaits him. This, Sir, is not the policy of
the prudent individual or the irdicious statesman.
Such bravery this l neither profess nor ad-
mirc.
have pursued have occudGd the thorough invcs.
tigation of this delicate subject? Arc there not
many different modes by which its discussion
might be brought before u.s. And have not men,
bcrs declared their intention of doing so2 Sir the
time has passed by in the history of the world,
when there can bc any "sealcd subject" in this
country. The spirit oft the age will not tolerate
suppression. The march of intellect Oh the
carth-thc increased spirit of enquiry and reHcc-
tion-,lc demand in other regions for more lihe-
raj instutions-the food of light from modern ac-
| cessions to POLITICAL and philosophical science.
which has poured in upon us, have impaired n tone
% inqnisitivcncss to the public mind and rem
dercd it impatient of any subject being cnveoped
in the mantle oil mystery. Already had public at
tcntion been drawn TO this subject before we as
scmblcd. 1t subject of general conversation
in all parts of orr country and by people of every
description. 1t is discussed at the fire side, at the
public tavcrns, in the streets, and in the news
papers. The people all the world
are thinking about it, speaking about it, and
! writing about il. And can zee arrest it,
and place seal on the subject? We might
well attempt to Put out the light of the sum- by
! placing am eXtingusher on it, or t. confinc its
rays "undcr bushel." We live already in
age when the spirit of enquiry, and thirst for
| the acquisition OF information, is wonderfully
tended; and it would be useless forYs to attempt
! to lager tn, skirts of the age that is
| departing. The action of existing causes and
principles is steady and progressing. 1t cannot
be rat lrdod, unless could elbow out all the mo-
raj lights around us;' and if refuse TO keen up
with it, shall be toSed in the wake, whether
Wiling or not. Inc ldea OF suppTcSsng discus
sion, controlling thought any forbidden sub
joct, is now impossible | knowsfhat it has boon
assumed that the general interest which now per
vadcs the country en- this subject, was superinduc-
cd by the agitation of it in this House Sir, this
is great mistake. 1t had been induced by prcvi-
Gus evcnts-by causes over which we had no con-
trol-and before this body convened The spark
was indeed communicated TO the finder, by the
tragical events which occurred in SOUTHAMPTON;
but the elements for ignition had been much lonp
or in existence. And who acOwld desire to sup
press tins diScusson-or control the freedom of
opinion or The liberty OF :he pross? Much com
plant has been made of the course taken by the
newspapers; and no doubt the RIGHTEOUSNESS of the
press is often evil, but the beneficial effects of
that great engine incomparably superior TO its
evils. For myself, do not regret that the seal
has been taken off of this subject A regular in
vestigation of it will render any determination we
arrive at, more satisfactory and quoting 10 the
now an opportunity of declaring 10 the world
that they do not hold their slaves merely
by sutierancc-and of exhibiting the grounds on
which their claim TO them, property, is found
cd. do not admire the position often assumed
on this subjcct-that it is right which needs No
explanation, and which shall not be examined L.
Sir, were some bold pretcnder TO claim of me the
very land which my family resides, I would
scarcely content myself with assertions of my ii
tie, and that he should not question it: but woul,
rather prefer to exhibit my parchmcnts and it'll
papers, and DEFY his scrutiny. / regard the RICH
to our slaves as perfect and nviolabc as that t,
any other property possess, and that it NAV
safely be submitted to the most rigid cxamina
ton.
MN. pRoDNAx's SPEECH RE covTixUgD.1