Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-02-11
The Richmond Wlaig.
Debate ON ABOLITION.
Speech Mr. R.iNDOLPH of AiJcmarle


barrassiug circumstances under which throw
myself upon the courtesy of tins House. I'm.
prepared by The habits of my life, which have
been agricultural and not profess lonu, the httlc
lniormation | possess, having been gathered
more from the study of meu IN the collisions Of
The business of an active life, than from books
l know, sir. | canno, do Justice to the subject
under consideration: feel, that humble as NV
fretenslors are, cannot do Justice to myself;
the thoughts which flow i'm a sufficiently cen.
Gcctcd train in my closet, the words which oc-
cur with sufficient dstinctncss to express them,
al vanish III the presence of public assem-
biage as mist before the sun. |: would have
been tar more agreeable TO me, to have bcen
silent spectator of the debate pa sing before me-
To have Witnessed the corr.scations of wit and
the SHOCK OF argument between the con,endinr
champions; but, sir, having entered the lists I'M
PFuoen',y' perhaps very imprudently, having re-
ceived The onset of skilled and talented an,auo
nsts, cannot now retreat with honour | mus,
d tcnd myself as best | may; believing nv
self suihci~ntlY honoured to be deemed worthy
OF the attack of such distinguished gentlemen.
In all the phases and aspects under which this
SUBJECT mas presented itself TO the House, | re-
cognlze IN 1t but the same thing. viz: the uncs-
tlon OF the exrediency of legislation. The re
solution OF the gentleman from Mccklepburc-
(Mr. Goodc,l involved this question; the amend
ment to 1t offered by myself was but the ouo
MoDo OF that legislation; the amendment of the
gentleman from Montgomery, (Mr. PrestonO TO
the report of The committee, expresses it dircc .
~. Under this view of the subject, with the
leave of the House, will take retrospnc,iv,
glance to the arguments used when the former
resolution and amendment were under consider
alton, us applying to the proposition now before
i VIII make a single remark to correct an err
rohecus Impression, which has arisen from an
expression used the other day bv my friend from
Mr hat III,
OF Mr.. Jefferson" 1t has been understood rs
conveying the idea that Mr.. Jefferson had
lett fully developed plan OF aboltion: this is
not the fact. The idea is contained in his prb-
liSned works. | cannot now tell whether | re
ceFed 1t from them, or from the Impressions of
social intercourse, probably from both: the i'm
preston has Icing been deeply mbued in nv mind.
Ii In the resolution there is one SUGGESTION
worthy of notice, be the honour 10 him: what
ever is objectionable be the odirn and di<y,,co
upon my head. should have made this eynlen
alton several days since. but consulting with
l , more VersAd IN the uSages of public DO
DIES, was advised |: would be time enough
when should address YOU IN my own defence.
The gentleman from Pc:crSturg Nj Brown y
SAID that ''ihls was not the -,an Of Mr. Jef;r-
SON. TINS fact will be developed IN the course of
TINS debate. NY colleague. Mr.. Woodl said
mat ne ana not Know, that tins was the plan of
MIR. Jefferson. He might have known sir, If he
had chosen to ask These expressions tended
to convey the idea that there was some conceal
ment; an attempt to fois upon the House n plan
bearing the authority of MIR. Jefferson's name
when was not his. l do not believe, sir, INV
CoNeagne intended TO convey this idea
Mr.. Wood of Albemarlc, said he had not in
tended to convey the idea that his colleague hsd
presented his plan as that CT Mr.. Jefferson. when
II rcaIiy was not, nor to intimate that his promo
sltIon was not III part the plan of Mr. Jefferson
Dut nc had expressed doubt whether Mr. JEFF
ierson would now present such plan were he
hVing. 1T had been fa- from him 10 mpuie In
his colleague the intention of dcceivipn the
House, by presenting as Mr.. Jefcrson's a plan
which was not his
MIR. RANDOLPH 1t will be borne in mind.
SIR, that the amendment | offered the other dav,
TO the resolution OF the member from Mecklen
ourg, was n resolution OF enquiry only; that if
pointed simply to a specific object, and necesso.
rliy could not have the dcveopmcnts of n hill
or report; ana many amendments and modifca
IONS must OF necessity have been adopted no
lore IL could have assumed that shape, in accord
ahcc with the development of my own idea
upon the subject When resolutions are favor
ably received, they are usually left to tho d;.
cretion OF the committee, subject to the approyaI
OF the house, retaining their generic charac,c,
10 modify them INTO specific PnacimcDts II has
not oeen lhe custom, 1t is not, and from the M
ture OF things, never can be, TO submit rcso-
lutons OF enquiry in the maiured and eynandod
nf-
qnIre into tie eXpcdiency of rot ALLOWING slaves
born subsequent 10 the year 1870, TO be retained
III the commonwealth, after the females shall
attain the age of 49, and the males 81 wears; and
II retained to be removed by the comr6onyyeal,b
the exp hSes OF such removal to be rcmunc-
fateu out OF me property itself. The mas
ter is allowed eighteen and twertv-onc
years alter the birth of each, to remove them.
and % years are allowed before the first ore rc
CURED to be removed, a period, in which accord
ing to the bills Of mortality, near three-rouribs
OF the grown persons now living, will have d.
ed. IL ~ tact operates upon pUsteritv and not
upon the present generation. 1t lcyjes no
money tax upon the pcople-each slave povs his
own removal by his hire. The number EXPORT
CD annually after the year 1861 bv their own
ers or the commonwealth, would amount 10 f,ur
or five per cent. No slave now LIVING. and nonc
ooth prior TO 1910, would be subject to the one
ration OF the law. Emancipation in the stale
is torbldder, and not part of the plan. Before
they attal0 respectively the ages of I8 and Of
they may be sold out of the state by their oyr
ers, who would pocket the money. Eiobty
years VIII be necessary to work their entire cX
tmcjion; period sufficiently long for their IRA
n'aI removal, and The introduction of free Ia
bour 1T IN 1860, the evil is found rr rrmedi
able, repeal Of the law will place MS where vyo
no" stand. 1t Is cont ended ard arree in tho
OPINION, that they would prefer remaining hcro
in bondage, TO transportation to the coast Of AZ
rIca, and no lnsurectonary movement rouId h,
Appreciated from the repeal. The legislature
are not to act upon this plan until it has roc,i
yea the sanction Of the people 1t is the mo-
pie who are intcrcsted-it is the>peopIc ,ybn arc
exposed to the dangers Of its retention. os : oGo
10 one compared to this house. They arc tho hos,
JucScs OF Their own interest, and the Dcecss,
ucS Tor INC limiiatIon of that interest. [ can.
1"t concur I'D TIE views Of gentlemen who
u'rusi the people; who fear them: and
fn fir;r