Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-01-24

on question which vitality affects the interests f
inns Stato-a question of domestic policy purely
the gentleman from Brunswick u most approved
and accepted State Right Politician, rises and CT.
ting am article from the Federal Constitution
gTavoly admonishes u.s. that are prohibited by
that instrument, from proceeding one stem farther
MIR. Guo'.soN rose and said, in re f., ring To tic
Federal Constitution he had also referred to tho
Bin OF ighs of this State. lie had cited the ort;
Gle from the amendments to the Constitution,
merely in confederation of the same principlc CON
tainnd IN the Bill of Rights.
Mr. fAuLXNER-Sir, it may bc true that tho
/ gentleman from Brunswick did refer to the Bill Of
Nigais-i have, however, no recollection of any
sneh reference, indeed OF the existence of IA
similar principle in the Bill of Rights. But
do rccoect, sir, and rccollcct well, that he an
ho"nccd, with no little triumph, tho principle con-
famed III the 9Th art Of the amcndncnt to the Fcdc-
TAI t'"nS'uton-that he had it read, by tho clerk,
win some theatrical effect, from your table, and
mat ii. boldly declared, according To- his construc-
non oil The instrument, we were, by IT, forbid from
iegiNia'ion upon this subject.
@'r' 1t has been my fortune TO belong to that
10y "hioh Is supposed not to deny to the General
government, any of its just and legitimate pow
I'S' L am proud, sir, in being REGARDED MS an
"'hpie member of that party--and vet before L
would conccdc to the Federal Government the
,s go VI saying whether the State of Virginia shall
rrs'S'n'c, IN all the freedom of sovereignty upon
,he abolition of slavery, 1 would gladly sec that
bright ana beautiful arch of our liberties crumbcd
behind.
SIR, the article from the amendments to the Fed
rral constitution, cited by tho gentleman from
brunswick, can have no bearing upon any u,cs-
ton submitted for decision. II was never do
S,S"eu To operate upon the domestic legislation Of
the States IL was intended solely to control I'm.
acts nj the Federal Government and is n ru,c an
pi'cahio to the administration of its Federal con.
Germs alone. "
n'r' am gratified to perceive that no gentleman
mas yet risen IN this Hall, the avowcd advocate of
slavery. The day has gone by, when such n voic,
could be listened TO with patience, or even forbear
ahcc. even regret, Sir that should find those
amongst us, who enter the lists as its apoloyists
except alone on the ground of uncomfortable nc
ccssity. And yet, who could have listened Ia IN,
very eloquent remarks of the gentleman from
nfunS"iok' without concluding that he thought
slavery. though horrible ill theory, lost much of its
oc'orini.y, as you approached it, in practice
Sir, II there he one, who concurs with that ron
'!cman IN the harmless character of this institu-
tion, lce me request him to compare the condition.
OF the slave holding portion of this Commonwealth
I-barren, desoate, and scared as it were by TN.
avcnging hand of Heaven, with the dcscrin
tons which VIC have of this same country from
those who first broke its virgin soil To what 10
Tins change ascribablc? Alone to tho witherip.r
and blasting effects of slavery If this does NOT
satisfy him, let mo request him extend his travels
to the Northern States of this Unicn-and contrast
the busy and cheerful hum of industry-thc roniI
growth OF population-the progress in the arts
their literary Insttutions-hcir capital and MANN
! facnres, with the poverty, indolcncc and apntbv
| "po "putuy
oil the Southern States To what Sir, is all this
ascribabie! 10 that vice, in the organization Of
our society, by which one half its Inhabitants are
arraycd In interest and feeling against the other3
If this should not be sufficient and the cur;on.
and incredulous enquirer should suggest that tho
contrast which has been advcrtcd to- and is so
| manifest, might be traced to difference of eli
mate or other causes distinct from slavcrv itself
permit me to refer him to the two states of Ken.
lucky and Oho-no difference of soil--no DIVERSE
ty OF climate-no diversity in the original settle
mcEt OF those two States can account for the ro
markable disproporton in their national advance
ment.- Separated by river alone; they seem TO
have been purposely and providentialy designed to
exhibit on their future histories the difference which
necessarily results from country frea from, and
| a country afflicted with the curse of slayey Tho
same may be said of the two States of Missouri and
| Illinois.
Sir, ifsill he should hesitate in the apprchcn-
sion OF this important political TRUTH that slavery
is curse, which no local advanta pcs can counter
balance, let me invite him back again to his native
Statc-and point to the tragedy cf Southampton.
There sir undisguised and clear to the vision of all
men arc the evils of slavery WRITTEN IN BLOOD.
There may be seen practical commentary upon
that institution, it actually exists amongst us
The gentleman from Dinwiddic, has called it
"Pety affair" 1t docs not appear to me. Tho
more reflect upon it, the moro am convin-
ccd that it is an important-a most momcntous af.
fair. Sixty white native inhabitants of Viz
ginia-n few hours--in the face of day-m q
county well protected as most of the counties
east of the Blue Ridge, Observation-Disclosures
man.lcd, in n style of which the records of afro
city can scarcely furnish parallel. This petty
affair? 1t may suit the modesfy of those whose
va!or and energy suppressed the Instruction to
undcrratc its Importance. But to tho Statesman
lwho knows that like causes will produce like
effects, it must appear fraught with useful and i'm,
portant instruction. Let it not be said that eso in
Surrcctions rarely occur; and that similar one NAV
not take place for half century to come To u.s. no
more than to the murdered citizcns of Southamp
ton, is it given to know the day and the hour 1t
is sufficient that such evil man occur; and that
no vigilance of your police prevent its rocur-
renee.
Sir, the evils slavery stand confessed before u.s.
The only question, with Virginia statesman
should be--is there any remedy? and what shall
that remedy be? The gentleman from Abemarle
has exhibited one sclemc-the gentleman from
Dinwddic, has presented another. Other, and
perhaps, less cxceptionablc proct, will be submit
ted as soon as it is understood, that arc dispo-
scd TO apply some remedy. Let us manifest tho
will-tEc means will, assuredIy, follow. | never
could despair, sir, IN cause Just this. nc
yer could despair of accomplishing that, which
eight States although, it is true, under more
favorable clrcumstancos-hav already accomplish
ed. L never could despair OF doing that which
the venerable fathers of Republic have told
is not only practicable, but have adnoriscd us
must DO done, if VIC to save the Common
wealth from ruin. With steady perseverance,
| failure is impossible. The sympathcs and sup
port of the world would gather around us. Tho
smiles OF Heaven and our honest feelings would
sustain us.
lin conclusion, Mr.. Speaker, permit me again to
repeat that although 1 am decidedly in favor of
some scheme chat will ultimately relieve my coun-
try from the catastrophe which threatens it, let no
gentleman suppose from what has fallen from me-
that i'll favor Of any rash, violent or hastv
In lpff Cor aciic l,,t; 1