Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-03-10

them lofn, % mn
us In another Throughout tho world there Is spot
where life than in Virginia; and of all the busy
agents Of DEATH not has disturbed society little
surrccton Yet gentlemen will have il that sur
rounded with pcr and have arrayed them before in
ors terrible that the gloomy genius of Salvador Rosa
could have added nothing TO the picture They have talk
ed to rs oil passing the Rubicon, aud ''wadng in blood
and warned us that "he elements in notion aud "a
crisis il at hand When these and other prophetic boz
dngs ie upon my car all the melancholy madness of
eoquence, could scarcely persuade myself that some
great and impending ruin about burst over our
heads almos, aneicd that heard the war-cry and tho
clash OF arms; that the Gauls mounting the Capito-
line hill; that stood again in the House OF Bgesses and
heard that LOFTY old Roman, Patrick Henry procaining
10 MS aSounded audience, that inevitable; that
the enemy wcrs already forging their chains and an
appeal to arms and the God of hosts all that was left
put Sir, listen not to the deceptive voice OF eoqucnce
IL Is the orators art 10 raise the
der aud impress its errors senses Trust
HIM not Tor there is no "cri>is When hc elements are
in moiion-when Olympus does trenble and the bolt is
hurried from the rednsht arm of Jove, let all
The energies our nature as deserves
put Sir' There is no dangers there will be none, unless
our own ndlscreton produce it. beseech you, Sir, TO
pause and reflect before YOU embark this pero,s
prise Without the steady and faithful support of public
opinion, through long series years no law YOU NAV
pass, be cfccua Have YOU any assurance of such
support So far from it, socmnly YOU that what
ever act oil emancipation you may pass will be received
wh general reproba'on And il pass that vo-
lates the right OF property in slaves, il will be will,
TIC sharp quick remedy of resistance; will shake this
ancient commonwealth 10 IFS it will sever il in
twain. Then in truth, the Rubcon will have been passed
and we cannot pause until fall the base of Pompcy
statue Then, indeed II the genius Of cmanc PATTON be
hcnd and delight in ruin, she well may smile thu 'the
work goes bravely on
will not deoin you longer sir. In expressing my
opinions on tins subject have endeavorcd 10 divest
sell oil every feeling that might disturb the III,
reason and address mysclfolcy the understanding
no, the passions ofths body In doing So have gone per-
haps, too far into Details and fearful of having ftigucd
your attention But shall not regret il, il have sue
ceedcd IN pcrsuadiug single friend OF abolition pause
and reflect before he advances further took part in th
discussion with no expectation of winning aurels Tina
Is reserved Tor those who advocate emancipation The,
claim already the merit OF inrcpity and it they
III their object, they will be crowned, il is said with i'm
mortal honors |, the contrary and those who thin
with me- must submit 10 the charge of being too ,iid
keep pace with ''the spirit of the age" There is on
one event that can rebound TO credit-and trust il
Heaven that may never happen. II warning voic
DC disrcgarded, and the attempt be made and fail amls
the execrauons oil ruined people them indeed ma
prefer some claim TO prudence and dsccrnment. II ma
be, too, that have mistaken the wishes interests of m
constituents elected before this subject had al
tracsd attention, and they have had opportunity
making their opinions known me. | have obeycd IN
honest dictates OF my Judgment and acted in conformity
my own clear conviction of the true interests OF the peopl
represent and OF society generally the hav
aken involves any sacrifice OF personal nature, max
itiFcciy on the altar OF my country.
gt1ge I.r I.,,,,