Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-04-27

DEBATE on Mr.. GooDE's Resolution M ANno,
Substitute. The Report Of The Committee on Siares
and lh. PREsToN's Motion TO amend
Mr. WILLIAAIs's SPEECu-I ConcI,ded1
Much has been said by the gentlemen from Dnwiddic
and Petersburg as well as Others, upon the right of pro-
perry, which has been defended by much useless arp-
men and more unmeaning sophisry The ri at of pro-
perry disputes while the retention of the proper
" is not destructive OF the safety I'll the commnitv-
When that is the the right may be Questionci-
One gentleman has told us-aud il is wonderful that /,
did not clcctrily the House-ihat IA man is mnn'opI
has founded argument that position. TO NV mind
such scholastic stuff is absolute nonsense is very ca
Sy TO show that man is man, but there is more diff
Guilty in showing that man is property But little in
diligence IN such nSy augmentation will shcw its alb
surdity If, for instance own slave in Virginia he is
propcrty--but cannot own him in Massachusetts, be-
cause he is man; yet he is in Virginia also
where he is property This may shew the folly of arcu
ing in peculiar cases from general principles. We have
heard much OF The right TO the pest matt; and the gentle
man from Dnwdie has told u, that product enters into
The contract in the purchase OF the slave Here is ano
Their particular case which based upon an abs,ir
y For, was it ever heard that any thing cond be pro-
perry which was not in eSScl It's existence being I'M
certain and contingent? had thought Mr. Sneaker
that the subtedes OF legal Ingenuity had been exhausted
IN work upon your table and that nothing could he
added TO The intlicacCS OF legal logic which are TO be
found in Ferne contingent remanlors and statutory
deviscs. But tic gentlemen to whom am onnoscJ L,,
taught me that the human mind is fruitful of qibics Of
which the cunning of man had not yet drcdmcl-tbot
there is "heneah the lowostdcep, lower deep"
Unsaiishcdas we'll they may bc--of the STRENGTH NJ
e argument mat man possesses the natural right hold
his fellow in bondage, the gentlemen from Pcter,hr~
ana DnWlldc tor that RIGHT the
that slaves arc property under the statute. They are
forced TO abandon any pretensons constitutional rekt
mud settle down upon their sole dclence-ho risht under
the statute. Reduced 10 this point the arp,Inent rrc
sens no diBcuyfor if statutory provisions alone Give
the right then, none, it may he taken away by the
power existing in the Legislature repeal the statutes
But the gentleman from Petersburg has added 10 the
guarantee oil slave property "the common and
usage OF the country, defence still more liable TO be
withdrawn. For If the consent ceases the pro-
tecuon which gave while in existence is abogatcd in
stanteE And to that event, present circumstances point
with unerring correctness
Perhaps OF the most remarkable arguments in tbe
whole course of the debate was that bv which The
gentleman from Petersburg, (Nr. Brown) deavorcd
to maintain that our slaves do wish to he lihe-
rated--that seryiude is swcc and that the woke and
the her sit a. lightly their limbs garlands of Cov
ers and wreaths oi palm. The gentleman was led away
by ms eNubcrant imagination into picture of patriacha
simplicity and aSsioless content, which exists only the
dreams OF fancy. That gentleman knows the human
heart too well to blind himself 10 the influence of liz pas
slons and aspirations The poorest tattercd negro who
ulis the planters field, under his askinaster and abor-
to produce those fruits which he may never call his own
feels within him that spark which cman,tes from, tIc
deity-the innate longing for bcrty-and hears i'm tie
Utmost rccesScs of his SOUL the secret whisperne Of ma
ture that tell him he should be free The love of free
com IS universal animal princple-it is concoInitan
WIN Wtauy' no human being ever bern without
the wish Tor liberty implanted in his breast God never
made slaveior slavery is the work of man alone The
Pnsoned bird iuers against the bars of his narrow cage
ana pants Tor the shades OF his native wild wood and the
breath of his native sky.
We have, think, in this debate bv the admissions nm
one side and the arguments other sufficiently es
tablshed that slavery is derived from natural rich
strange as 1t may seem that the affirmative should have
ever been advanced. The whole argument in favor Of
slavery is then derived ncceSs7nfe rel When herc
lore the necessity Shifts and is found TO be ON the other
sue sue, forces acqescence. The necessity presents
Sell Tor the ren'oUai Of slavery found dangerous
patton. ~
very sensible gentleman has told ms that tle F,tr,
people had right to have their throas cut if tcy
icIfed That IS very true, Mr. Speaker so FAR as fbev
ohy are concerned But of the West are excessively
pNDO IN tho
powers OF Vitality and, notwithstanding their assurances
mat The danger will reach us behind the rampars
OF our mountains we better satisfied TO make ass,r
h'cc uouDiy sure by some timely measure of prevention
But this IS not alive bound by our dutv o our "a
Tern preyonf possible the catastrophe which
threatens lem. Had friend who nsomc III of piren.
zy, was about 10 rush into the most imminent cr;I mr.
medltacd suicide, II would be rcmarkable iu,ccd I1
not endeayor TO dssuade him from bis design and ,i'I
hlm from tie danger-nay more, if did not STAY his su
cldaI hand and wrcst from it the weapon of death WIN
uen 90 lho'c most exposed to danger, sit down and fold
ueir hands while they see the storm gathering TO wait
unlI 1t bursts upon them? True wisdom dictates 10 rrc
pare for its fury in time but those who advise such .
course, meet The fate Of all adv=crs-teir counsel i dis
regarded. - us
Among other extraordinary consequences Of debate
II has been declared that unless the differences
upon can be appcased, the State must be divided II il
an OPINION Wch nave not as yet been induced TO adop
ain not among those who complain of the anquisbjno
condition oil virginia IL she has kept pace with other
states affords no reason for dependence II we have
10, ''"cHcu e stature OF giant we can be contcnted
With ordinary dimensions We need not mourn for or,
""9 never eA'ed-ior surely ncncXstcncc has pains
--aithough IT IS apparent that existence has many ev
ana burihen.' arc not as ouhshng as some OF Inc
western odies, whose condition has been 20 viyiv po,r
rayed. But will not admit hat we are in fE c.ls;,li
ing and desPondent condition which has been assumed bv
come virginia still her venerable form anon, bc
sister States, honocd and respected IL not blesf win an
he quits OF fortune which superior enterprise has won for
The gentleman from Petersburg haselaboracd his sub
Ject WIN great elegance and with the glowing colours
aer'e imagination Butt was the bilIiancy Of soplis.
ny. own that was not for tie moment proof AGAINST
thc fascination OF his cloquence, was almost induced
70 accede to lbs positions But Ike the frost work Of fan
ey at the touch of RcasCn's wand the imaginary sruc
turc vanished INTO thin aro like the cloud IN Ucsuerts
an attempt to grasp H. al exposed lie insnbsis,ta
nature trust tc House viii not be misled by The me-
teonc lights struck forth from the genius OF that gentle
man Although il is impossible hat any Thing could add
70 the respect which feel for hm have NOT been he.
wderei by his reasoning, and shall freely examine few
OF his positions. w"
lie has attempted 10 trace tie origin Of aaycry,rd
has ioo"c il as itr up in the history Of man as 10 do
immediate deecendau- Of Coin. IN His research could
not l'Ho" him, but stopped Ia' shor. Of n' his ultimate