Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-01-21
Speech of.Mr. POWELL of Spottsylpania.

!
Mr.. SrEAKER-l shall trespass upon the pa
ticnce OF the House but for very short time,
while mike an explanation of the course am
about to Pursue upon the subject under cons der
alton. | need not say sir, that ] approach the
discussion of this question. with feelings of diff
dence aud embarrassment; feelings inspired part
| iy by the novelty ofthe situation in which hnve
perhaps too ihcautiouSy p lced myself. but more
by the importance and magnitude of the sub
lect lts'lt before me; for let Us consider it in
what aspect We may, 1t is certainly one of the
IN, st important that could possibly have been
presented to our consideration; and in giving the
70 which am about To give upon 1t, | feel
degree of responsibility rcver before expericn-
ced III my short legislative career In relation
! 10 the opinions of tina, portion OF the people
whom have the honor to represent, upon this
momon ous question, l am IN great measure
utterly IgnOrant and IL is possible, that in con-
sequence OF that ignorance, it may he my mis-
fortune npon the present occasion, not to speak
their wishes. 1t is possible too sir, that in the
Opinions which | am alb nut to advance, and IN
the course am abont to pursue, ! may not
by them he sustained. Sir, after having
anXIously bestowed :.pon this subject, the best
reflection of which a'n capable, that course is
the one pointed out 10 me by the best dictates of
my judgment; II Is the one which, to my mind,
the b Isl interests Of my country nay, sir, her
very safety requires to be pursucdi and whatever
effect 1t may have upon my political destiny,
Gene veal or come woe, ] mean 10 pursue it.
Snung i'll this Hall for the two last days. and
! stCrng to an uErCStrnIrcd discussion, upon
Suticct heretofore hrrmeti, aIy sealed, our opia-
ions upon which, We Lave been accustomed to
breathe III the lowest whispers, | have almost
felt as though were III dream, ard have been
tempted 10 ask myself can 1t be rea--am ] &C.
tuay in the Legislative Hall Of Virginia listen
my to such dScus$io? Sir, but short time,
a very short time since, and the bare terance
OF sentiments now listened TO with the most pro-
found attention would at once have been fcpudi-
atcd by Il imuI'Gucous murner cf dsapprobaton
throughout tbs Hall. What, sir, does this
p!ovc?-docs it not prove that, already, great,
powerful change has been wrought in public
opinion upon this subject, Does il not prove
what lie gentleman from Dinp'iddic, ve> terday
remarked that The RubIcon is indeed passed.
Circumstances beyond our conrroul have given
to this subject IN lmpc'u-, and 1t must now roll
on by the force of lis own intrinsic weight and
importance. Sir, crisis is at hand; this great
question Is obliged II be met, it can no longer
%" eyGdcd. and it becomes us, as men, and as
pitriots. to meet it with iirmness and decision,
yet win caution and circumsp cction. And
should 10 other good grow out Of orr deIIbera-
tions this session, it is, AT least, to be hoped that
we may derive this important advan;ag" from the
discussions now going on, it is most ardcnrly to
be desired, iia they may have the tendency to
arouse the people of this Commonwealth, from
TIM tai state Of apathy uaon this subject, in
which they have long, too long, slumbered
A'to the f"5-ttutc proposed by the gentle
man from Aihcwa'Ie, ! am decidedly opposed to
1t. canuo' 90 for that or for any other scheme
which does rot rccnCPize the right If property
over THIS sp"cIos of population, or which takes
from the stakeholder MS slave, either without
ms consent, of WITHOUT an equivalent.
In" fi"s'lon Ir'scntcd to our consideration
ny 'he resolution 81 the orn'l,man from Neck
Icnbutg, is "tr'h"r The Committee 10 whom this
suhIrct was referee at an early period Of the
S"S7i ~. shall now 80 discharged from the far
tbcr consideration Uf l.; or la other words the
qr'sil'E s.whc her &c shall now aitcrnpt bv vttc
OF this House, far as vote Of this House can
eirct that oJ"ct to stay Tire impetus which has
b"cD giv'n 20 this sui. or whether we shall
siriT the bal nus put IN motion to roll on to lis
destination IL fact, sir. by our vote upon This
question, we are about to auuOunCc TO tho PEG.
pie OF tbs Commonwealth. whose ewes from
every qIar'cr, aro nov anxiously turned upon
IT,, ond who are looking 10 our action on this
important subject with degree Of almost fearful
anYutY-I say, SIR, we are about to announce to
them that this subject IS one beyond our control,
one too great tor our grasp, and that al we can
DO, is TO 'o'd up our arms, and wait IN silence,
the prJg'css OF eIeDs; or VIC nrc about to an
nouncc to tbrm, what | persuade myself would
be far more pleasing intelligence, that we do not
look upon tbs matter in that gloomy light; that
We cannot but indulge the hope, that when the