Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-02-11

I
this population, tampcring with 1t in your bosom,
when your citizens shall march To repcl the in
vadcr, their families bu,chercd and their homes
desolatcd in their rear, the spear will fall
from the warriors grasp; his heart may
DC of steel, but 1T must quail. Suppose
an invasion by your enemy. in part with
black troops, speaking the same language of the
same nation, burning with enthusiasm for the lib
Grafton Of their race; If they are not crushed the
moment they put foot upon your soil, they roll
forward, an hourly swelling mass; your energies
are parallZed, your power Is gone the morasses
oi the lowandS, the Businesses of the mount inns ,
cannot save your wives and your children from
destruction. Sir, we cannot war with these
Disadvantages; peace, lgnoblc, ahicct peace;
peace upon any conditions that an enemy NAV
offer. must be accepted. Are we then prepared
to barter the liberty of our children for slaves
for them' Is it not wise policy, while the evil is
still within our grasp; when can gradually
obrerate it, with gentle forbearapce to al !;
while we still restrain it, by the strong
hand ofpower, crush its movcmC hts in blood
1t necessary, to prepare the way for better pros
poets to ou' children, brighter hopes 20 po tcrIty?
The gentleman has objected to the West de-
Gliding this question. He has again miscons. Tue d
the resolution 1t is, or intended to be pcrm;s-
sivc and not obligatory, upon the subsequent
Legislature. 1t is to ascertain uncquivocaly the
sense of the people, that this House might be
guided by their wishes. No man would desire
so great a revolution by small majority. We
have heard enough here, sir, TO intimate TO us
unequivocaliy, that we must act With ma ori-
! ~ whose power shall awe into obedience, any
portion of the State if any such there be- which
should prove disloyal. He has objected 10 the
| plan as being too deferred in its commencement;
"thers have objected that il commences SD sooi
tins proves that it has the character IT modora.
tt"n, Tor 1t strikes the medium between the
views OF different individuals
| uorsI ~ Mar. hal
mas objected because it does not come from the
| people, and is too exclusive. On all occas ions
oil vital interest, where the prosperity of the
! commonwealth is endangered It is the duty of
the Legislature to tokc the lead, it is their duty
TO call public attention to the evil; such was the
practice OF our ancestors during that war which
tore them from the parent stem, and gentlemen
nave urged, and l agree with them, that this
revolution is not less important in its consequent
ccs. Attract and concentrate public opinion on
the subject; obtain full, inquest toned expires
sion OF the public will Members can then act
uderstandIngly, advisedly. No member will then
fear the mlsconcep'ion OF the will of his cons,i-
tuents his course .!ill be decisive, and no longer
doubtful 1t will not 10 to submit an abstract
proposition of abolition to the people. Ab,l
| ton may be to day, tomorrow, the next wear,
or ten years hence. 1t may be sudden
CONFUSING society 10 its centre, or it NAV
be gradual and harmless; all this they must
know, to decide correctly; you must give
'hctl me general principles of the plan you in
tehd 20 pursue; they must see and understand
1t IN all Its bearings; weigh its effects upon in
dlvldual interests, and the general prosperity
thcn' SIR they can give you an unequivocal de
mCnSratlon OF that will, which shall be to me
the polar star ofmy political life.
he gentleman from Brunswick, (Mr. Ghol.
SON. spoke OF the popular voice when it should
be heard among members; he spoke of the meet
ing held by the citizens of Albcmarle on thi,
SUBJECT, IN derlsIon comparing it to Clay meet.
lng.( doubtless in his county, NV colleague too
united to discredit this expression of line opjnio,
OF his constituents. lie has been abused by his cor
respondents. have it from honorable gentlemen
who were present, that it OF the argcs
ever held in the court house The meetings n
the courts OF Abemarle, i'll village of near l5Ot
inhabitants, in the centre of fertile and populou
district are always large, intelligent and highly re
spectacle. This was presided over by the individu
al most distinguished for his long public services
ana the dignity of the offices he had filed Of an,
man now among us. He opposed the second rcso
iuton, and 1T was carried by overwhelming ma
Jority III defiance of his opposition. This resolu
tion was read by my colleague in his place, for tn,
purpose of dscredting it. | yesterday received
icticr informing me who had. presented this reso
latloh; II was presented by talented friend whom
L know TO concur with me in the plan containc
, III inc resolution submitted. A number of ind
. Viouais VINO were there present had known of thi
plan and approved it. Among my neighbours o.
my recent visit to my home, it was u subject G
conversation, and approved, as / understood b,
an; they were individuals who owned ten, THIRTY
hity, sixty and seventy negroes; many of thcr
earned by long course of frugal and successfI
industry Little did they | think of the hig
evidence of patriotism and generosity they evinced
When they proposed TO surrender tho post NIT o
thcse. Honest generous hearted men. little dit
they imagine when this idea was proposed tc
others, that ii would be received with deep an,
damning rcprobation, as a scheme of robbery an,
PIHnder. Gentlemen may suppose that L had a,
ihnucncc over these neighbours. No, sir, they
! were individuals from whom had been separated
| by an hereditary feud l had rarely concurred il
| OPINION, or acted with them. Whatever have beer
the causes which have separated us, they shall
exist on my part no longer. / have learned herr
TO appreciate their virtue and their patriotsm ant
shall feel myself proud to claim them as friend
] ana negbbors. L do not fear, sir, to meet the
| pubic award In the conscientious discharge of my
| duty. The high minded feelings of tho gentleman
! from Brunswick, teach him that lust Of office is
| not inc sole motive of action with an honorable
man. My colleague, (Mr. Wood,) has dwelt mucl
| upon wild and visionary schemes He has arguet
pom SIDES OF this question: doubtless for the bcne
INT OF the house: he has been the advocate of sla.
very, and avowcd himself the friend of abolition
| Ills arguments appear to me to have been incon
! sIstcnt lie spoke of the massacre of Southamp.
Ton as triiilng affair." this he could not have
meant; II escaped him in the heat of debate I
! can assure the worthy member from SOUTHAMPTON
] that nc dld net mean it; and will ask him when
he shall return to his constituents to saw TO them
That the people of AIbcmarle mourncd for them ms
brethren of the same family; they had our sympa
thes our deep commiscration; there was not bo-
som Which did not heave its sigh; there was not a
heart among that did not feel its thrill of ayon,
/ at the recital of their suffernos
| Inc gentleman from Brunswick (Mr. Gholson )
SAID that the Legislature had even doubted the pro-
! pretty Of submitting the Convention question to
! the people when they had the names of 40, 900
mcmoralists on their table, praying it. have I'M.
derstood the history of that matter dfTercntlv air
! nc legislature did doubt, but their doubts were
/ solved by their mastnrs tI,o pcorIc. d.. "