Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-01-21
Legislative Dcbate---Comtinued.
HOuSE OF nELEEATES-
tsrcoNp DAr.l~1Tedncsday. Januarv ,

oAFA > tNAoSttfNtf.
Mr.. GHoLsoN rose and said, that the incidental debate
which had Just ended, demonstrated the determination of
the House to discuss the question. Some gentlemen had
been pleased to say, that-such a course was rendered pro-
per from courtesy and respect 10 himself, who, by paria-
inentary usage, was entitled TO the floor. He thanked
them; but il they conceived, that in granting him this pi-
vilege, they either gratiied his feelings or consulted his
wishes, they were mistakcn-greatly mistaken. Those
who know nv sentiments, (said MIR. Gholson1 on This alb
sorbing question best, know that | doprocate the discussion
OF ii, and that | have heartily. co-operated in every effort
TO avoid it. 1t is a question, which, from its very nature,
should never be openly discussed, until we are ripe Tor
prompt and energetic action. Its discussion now, can be
productive Of no beneficial results but, according TO my
best judgment, is fraught with incalculablc mischief The
course of our present deliberations il unique in the history
ofour legislation. Our political fathers have set us no such
example. Sir, we are unmindtul and regardless ofthe pru-
dcnce and circumspcctiOn which mark the better DAYS of
the Republic. Then, subjects OF the delicate and momcn-
tous character OF This, were considered with closed doors
and secret journois-notc they are discussed with open
doors, thronged galleries, and busy reporters. We debate
1.-THE Press debates it-cvery body dcbatesi il; And all
this is done, as if the slaves around us had neither eyes nor
eQrs-or that having ears, they heard not, and having ewes,
they saw not. Its, however, too late now to rcpinc this
discussion cannot be enthusiastically has the report of it
gone abroad. then call upon gentlemen, who agree with
me in thinking the proposition OF tho gentleman from Al
benarle, as monstrouS and unconstitutional, to meet it
publicly-publicly TO discuss it-publicly to expose it, and
publicly TO reject il.
In order 10 present the question now under debate in
its proper aspect, | beg leave 10 sketch a brief history Of
the progress OF this subject. Very early i'm our session, n
Memorial TO this Body, from the Society Of Friends, pray
ing the emancipation of slavcs, was presented to this House
by the gentleman from Hanover, CTr. Roaneo A motion
was then made, to reject the Memorial: but as such a
course was unusual, under our rules of proceeding, the
House declined considering the principle of the Memorial,
and 1t was referred as n matter of course. At the first and
second meetings of the Committee, grave and important
resolutions were offered, favorable to emancipation-Th
Committee did not act on these rcsoluiOns-but thew found
their way into the public journals; they were announced
with due pomp and circumstances, and a misguided
public was led TO believe. that the Committee was cngag-
cd in anxious and doubtful deliberation on the subject of
the abolition of slavery. Hence the most anxious solicit
tu9e has filled the public mind-the tenure by which one
hundred millions of property is held, has been weakened,
and dlstrust and apprehension have succeeded confidence
ana repose. sir, nearly n month has elapsed, since the
reference oil this subject, and no report is vet made, and
we are intormedSy the Chairman of that Committee, that
we may not expect one under week from this time.
Such are the circumstances under which the gentleman
from Mecklcnburg has offered his resolution-under
which he asks this House TO discharge the Committee from
the further consideration of this subject, and thus to allay
public excitement, and restore the public mind 20 its won't
cd confidence and tranquility. And such, too, Mr.. Speak
err, are the circumstances, under which the gentleman
from Mbemarie, ONT. Rando'ph) has thought it his duty,
10 offer his proposition, as a substitute 10 the resolution of
the gentleman from Mccklenburg.
IL is this substitute which claims the immediate consi-
Iteration OF this House, and which has already elected a
discussion unprecedented in its character and objects, in
the parliamentary annals Of Virginia.
What, Sir, is the substituted It is proposition that oil
our SLAVES born after a particular date, shall, at a par
ticuldr date thereafter, tniess removed beyond our limits,
become the property of the State. 1t proposes the con-
t9cation OF property. without crimc-the appropriation OF
private property 10 4 public uses, t1ith0ut Just compensation.
aa ,. nav pronGu me- s.' proposition mo"stTous and IN
fastidious taste of some gentlemen, l shall undertake to
provo il so.
I hope that, in Tirginia, I may refer to constitutional
provisions, rs of binding obligation; they have ever here
totore, been thought t~oleraJly good authority with us:
and, while we have deemed it wise to abide by them our.
serves, we have not forgotten to advise our neighbors ia
edo likewise"
BY the 9TH article of the amendments to the u. S. Con.
sutution, ii is provided that private property shall not be
taken for public use without Just compensation" This.
SIR, was an amendment proposed by the people, through
their State Convention, and intended as a imminent and
protection of individual rights against Governmental
isuTpdtton. Tho same provision, in the same words,
Is Incorporated in the very body of our own Coasti-
tu'lom; and II private property be not 1i0lC secure i'm
the hands Of IFS owner, know OF no vigilance or circum-
spection which could shield it from rapacity or usurpaton.
But this sacred principle of "meum CT tuum'' does not
derive its sanctions from Conventional charters-it has its
foundations deep laid in the principles of justicc-it is the
very ligament which binds society together; and permit
me, Sir, to tell gentlemen, that ifthey once severit, socie-
itseh Is no longer worth prescrvatlon-nay, a state OF ma
ture would be desirablc-for, then minoriies Gf minorities
there were) would be spared the contumely and mockcry
oil beinS tied, hand and loot, ''secundun legem," at the
caprice and pleasure of triumphant and vindiciye maiori-
ties. Withoutthis principle, there isno ciyilization-no 60
vernment.--So essentially does the very existence of soeie-
~ depend on II, that the horrors of war, pesilence and
famine, silence it demands only for a season-Ne ccssity on
ly can triumph over il; and when the necessity ceases,
1t springs up again, with demands Of indemnity for the past
ana The assertion OF ITS usual prcrogatives for the future.
Then, Sir, ''priyate property cannot be taken for public
use without Just compensation.'-Bu while gentlemen
reluctantly assent TO the truth OF this proposition, we have
seen them flying TO various expcdients, to weaken the
force OF its Obligations, and divert its application from the
principles contained ip the substitute now under discussion.
Among these e%Xpedicnts is one which, when it shall be
announced to my constituents, will. fill them with wonder
ut the lights which iiUmine the present age, and with
modification at the shameful ignorance in which
they live. They really believe, Sir, that slaucs
are property, and that they belong to their masters.
! beg leave TO apologize for their ignorance. This opinion,
Sir, was impressed on their minds at a tender age. thas
been uninterrupted in its operation, and has grown with
their growth, and strengthened with their strength.
Their torefathers and political teachers, profoundly ignorant
oil the subject, instead of awaiting the light which has
just now dawned referred them to the authorities ofsiatufes,
eonshtutionS and treaties. IL is true that the Statute Law
ot Virginia, under her colonial Government, recognized
slaves as property-it is true that they existed rs property,
at the date OF our revolution. IL is true that they are re-
oognized as property by the Constitution Of the United
Statcs-claimed as property by her treaties with foreign
powers, and treated as property by her acts Of legislation.
u Is moreover true, that the State Law of Virginia
Recognizes them as property, through every page OF her
codc-ihat dying men bequeath thom--living men convey
them by deed, and that they arc held both by purchase
and Inheritance. The people Of Brunswick, Mr.. Speaker
are prone to cherish their ancient preiudices; and though
they cannot but admire these modern lights, it may be
that they will continue to think "slaves, property" Ifthey
should, ! beg gentlemen, from the abundance of their
philanthropy" to ascribc their %obsinacy, not to 'inter.
ost," but defective education.
Whilst the above class Of ne,c-light politicians have
pushed their theory with all the ardour Of newborn zeal,
another sect has arisen-not quite 80 ultra in their profess
stOns, hut equally dangerous in their PRINCIPLES. and more