Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-01-26

EsEss&'FHi ON ABOLITION.
Conclusion Of .1Ir. Gholson's Speech
[CoNTiNuED.

Conclusion Of Nh Gholson's Speech. J
Pcrmit me now, MIR Speaker, in very bri.f
and concise manner. to address to this Hou-c
SEINE cnnsd .rutions Of policy, which, in MY tcs;
Judgment, forbid The prnpricty Of Legislative &C
lion. at tins time, on ta!s most absorbing and
moWcn'cus question.
1T was in August INST, that we were clothed
by our constituents with the powers i, was ex-
pccieI We would exercise during our prc:en.
CELEBRATIONS. cIll The attention of gentlemen
20 t's ti,t because we are ever prone to forget
me tenure by which we enjoy power. Tic &C
rusTcnces which have. beyond controversy.
9tv2Rrss, to the agitation nt this a. cs.:on have
their ca' G rnslcr!ur to cur elections. we have
Teccvc'i no Inst iOHS--and hut two acn,ori-
ais are addressed 10 Us oil tic subject. And
yet, Sir, we are told, this is the accented tIn,r.
aud that we must insian;cr apply our legislative
wisdom to the disposition of 4 qucc' ion. compar-
cd with which. either for its intrinsic oipcr-
lance, the circumstances with which it is
surrounded, or uudeiiuabe consequences. has
nohtg like p1la!lcl i'll our history, since the
era o! or Independence. Is his expected of Us:
Has V:rsini', with an aTSIous eye to las vas
and momrntons suhiPtt, convened together
her faithful and wcL-lried political pairiarcls
10 consult together for the public safety? Mr.
Speaker. his marac the excepted timr; and thl-
Legislature may be the one, beyond all others
10 examine apd settle this mighty sluestion-bui
] am SIRE Of this. Sir-our Todcsty does not be-
speak merit.
Consjic atSns Of respect, md regard for Che
interest If our nei ghbour.ng sister States fer.
bid nur Tasty or premature action on question
Ike !hiS. Between irirntly powers, n sense o,
International Iuscicc viii ever restrain the one
from cd1ptlng any measures, WHICH may cnlar-
ger lie safety or property of the other, without
udvicc and consul;s ;0f. it was this principle
which lu. the other day, Influenced the eomG4ci
OF EX-Prcs;drnt Adams on the presentation to
Congr, SIS Of ID Quaker memorials for the aboli.
tiHn If slavery in the District If Columbia. Sir.
Virginia approved and applaudcd TIC course q
that distinguished Individual. on the occasrr
referred TO- Eut think you, Sir, that The Dis
fct OF C,lHMha, Maryland, kcntucsH, Ten
III see and \. Carolina will approve and ppland
th rish hnd precpta;e CoDIics OF Virginia ON
Tie present occaslo! p Mr.. Speaker, with The
lmdiscrcion of children, we are PLAYING with
torches and IRE brands, either regardless CT
toEge'!ul t;at magazines are under and aronnG
ais. no measures Of Ills igh import Shout! BE-
agi'n Cd or discussed, without the iticgdly w
Outstanding aud co-opcra'i,n of our sister
Sla'cS similarly situated. Rash and iriempc-
rate dchaie-und gcstcd and premature action
VII not only blight our happiness, but ING hay-
hincsS OF all around us.
Considerations of canton and prudence seem
Ito have ost their influence witt gen lcmer, ard
f'I.h"r odmon,tInns not cxhortatlnng csn cav
Fhtm IN their nnrcluous career. Time ana
ficuhs, arc oit OF tie quo sllpD--''Epws Tie daI
2Gd 70" . i!is hour" The sdcsines of tho re
Pu'iic hang upon the prescott decisions ui I'll,
august and unFiyalcd body rocrasfi;,, tio,.
10 rpn is any representative so tjryii and
undecided - ask time for reflection ana
nycs'igalinu? Sir, lie is answered Lp q era
'rIsTic. j. any member GDubiIul as TO tLc
views and sentiments cf lis constituents? IIc is
charged with being regardless o" the lights CT
TIE AyGE. Something must &c done" is the favc.
1i:c rXciamaioD Of gen lernCn, and they res upon
u n their fight aS ii it were the perfection If
bfgmmcnt AID summit Of cioquercc Mr., S2cui:,.
e., permit me-, mo respectfully 10 cXlori gcn-
ilcn.cp, tJ iml their views within reasonable
Aip!chs on>; lot III the ar.!rur Of exc cncni
SF''y go father than reasonable men w'li sane
non or the better uGgmen: Of ;hcir owa cooler
moments WI approve. Communities, Ike Ia
GW'd"ai>, WHO ruu before their resources or ahil-
hS'' bnd too late, that they have midt
moro ha>lR than Notwithstanding ami iiCD
"F'rpps 'is'ii. aud fails OF tuthCr side Cen
ic'''SH Wou do moro than our utmost abilities
t@h accomplish. IL we effect during our pfcsrri
deh'eFQiionS the OBJ ct which seems to ,ncrt
INC oPPF32at'ou OF all, we will in my irdrmcrf
pave conc enough; aud put INTO rcuutsirinn as
f"u-h o. ,he means and cnG7gy flhc State, Us /,
r''s'n""it i'r The pJcsout.-l Giludc In IT,. r..
m'V'' 81 Tic FREE colorcd population, Sir This
hcSlgn meets The appreciation of all parties in tia
House at present; aud, well afranrcd an di
gcsicd, vii, J hope. be ultimately a9rp,cd
ms oiJ G. should claim tile first considerations
and regard oFih,s Legislature. TIE free black,
comprise D0atlY onc-ten;h Of The cuijr, black
population " he State: il is the mc,t Gcrrevcd
cssojate, miserable and dangerous portion Ct