Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-02-02

grccs extending over the ,roridi Who, Sir has
surveyed this subject in all lis dimcrsions-:,s
hearings and tendencies, proNimatc and Interior,
without pcrcciVing that it involves, not only the
vithI interests of Nirgnia-,he Interests not on
~ the thousands who now people her regions, and
OF the millions yet unborn, who are To spring up
after uS;but, that from lis nature. 1T rs To exert
an Influence, which, to some extent will operate
'ior veal for wo," all the sister States
"iths great Con fedcracy-on the free citizens of
all Amortization the sable tribes which inhabit
the continent of Airca,---on the globe. And may
not add Sir, without impropricty or irrevorcncc,
on earth and heaven! Already had many other
States, shaped their systems OF policy on conlcc-
tural Su,iciputons of the coarse Virginia might
adopt, even before This Legislature assembled; and
who pretend TO limit the boundaries Of ,hiS in.
iucnce?
This subject, sir, has long been with me, of
ANXIOUS aud painful reflection, and IT is my ms
iortWue to be unable entirely TO concur with either
OF the extreme parties in this liousc-cther
with those who hold that the existence Of
slavery is not AN evil, or that nothing can,
ought to Gc done, to abatc the evil, or lcsscu its
cicC,S;-and still less, with those who propose as
Il remedy, plan iraushi, in my judgment, with
iucaiculahlc mischicS; which would tear up by the
roots, all the gamcuts which bind society togcth-
Cr-suIver: principles which have been consocrItcd
hy the wisdom of ages, and break down every bar
rier With which our constitution and laws have
fenced the security Of private property for, such
is the light in which am compelled 10 regard the
monstrous project of the gentleman from Abe
MARIE (Mr. RIndoph.)
MIR. Speaker, feel deeply, the delicate embar-
rassmont of The situation am called to occupv-
In times of high political excitement, when coun-
ter-cnrcnts sit strongly in opposite directions the
position Of the moderate man, who may not con-
scientiousl5 sail on cther-who is equally averSc
to either extreme, and believes that there is pru
dcncc, and wisdom, and safety, in the ma Kim, an
i2cdiO uiisSj8uS ibiS"-is OF all others the least
cnvablc. Ii is said, sometimes to be assumed from
CONSIDERATIONS of policy; but really, the individual
/ so Gro lun,i vln.b La,
| looked to the support and appreciation OF the
friends with whom he was associated in service,
or exclusively TO his own political pre!crmcut,
must be egregiously ignorant of tho s:rongc
| impulses OF human nature. Yes, sir, nothing but
conscientious judgment folly, can ever recon
/ mend such course. The public man, who relu-
scS to rush hcadlorg to the 'uitnG fhule" Of party
becomes obnoxious 10 the suspicious of the Ultra,
on both sides, and is apt 10 lose the confidence of
all, and be regarded neutral by both, and an
ally by neither. Or, stationed on The middle ground
he is exposed TO the shots of both parties in the
conflict and can expect no quarters from either
Inc moderate man has also to encounter other
disadvantages lie does not possess equal facilities
with others, in reCommc nding his views and opin-
! IONS For, the Statesman who is disposed to lis
Ten TO ''the still small voice" of and mode
raton-Who Is willing 10 examine frankly and fair
ly, the arguments aud principles of others, without
regard TO what party they m1y belong, from
| what region they may have come, without consi-
| derIng reason and intelligence, as bounded BY
]
both, all that he finds valuable in either while he
REJECTS all That is erroneous, pursHes of
tenor too even TO excite the appreciation, OF COM
mand Tie deliberate examination Of those who are
heated in tho conflict. His course is that of the
! gentle rlvuict, which winds its peaceful wav un-
| seen, and unhcard, through til. forests and the
hciJS, attracting little attention. while the bold and
ardent partisan resembles, in debate, the noble and
| majestic river, on whose margin we arc now dc
iiOcrhing, which dashcs its mpetuous torrent, i'm
/ patient OF restraint, the rocks and cliffs which
would obstruct 1t, and rushes in foaming fury TO
| the ocean The middle ground presents field
| Tor The exhibition of that inpas sioned fccling-
! those bold and striking figurcs-thoso brilliant
corruscatlons of a vivid ina gnation, which never
l"N 10 attract and engage us, Gnd of which have
Witnessed so many instances in this debate. The
calm observer, unaffected himself by the cnthusi-
aSin around HIM, Is regarded tame and unintcr-
csting-and deliberate Judgment is little valued
when opposed to "thougmts that breathe and
words that barn" Bat, sir, these considerations
have little effect 1t is true, rogret,--yes
sir, deeply rCgret-that ! am unable 10 concur
not only rs to our ultimate objects, which mainly
are The same, bat on the mode of action which
experience might Indicate, with those friends in
his House, to whom am affiliated, by contiguity
of residence and identity of interest-bv Iona eS
tabiiShcd coincidence of opinion on all subjects
OF general policy, and by strong ties of personal
regard. But, regardless Of the effects which may
result to myself, personally have but one rule
OF act'on-thot is, TO pursue that path of duty
mistake IFS traccs-no doubt often debut when
think | have discovered ii, l will ondeavor to
follow it steadily, wherever it may conduct me;
and support those measures and those alone
which | may deem most beneficial TO nv consiitn
onts, and most suspicious to my country
Sir, L confidently believe that a PLAN can be de-
VIscd TO mitigate, ii not subduc, the evil which
presses so sorcly upon MS, entirely conssient.with
The prlnc les which have been ably and so gal
|antiy maintained by gentlemen from my own re-
glon OF country, where those principles have over
he'n regarded, as sacred and invioable and vet
compromising all that brethren from other
DIVISIONS OF the State and holding other opinions
ought 10 desire. But Sir, uufortunatelv I think
both parties, in the heat of debate have run into
extremes which may eTdangcr the result Mr.
Speaker, never before have felt so intensely tl,o
aeStltnN"n OF that intellectual vigor, that com
handing influence and pcrsuasivenss which would
enable me to Undue others with nv own r,,ros
SONS and carry conviction TO their minds Of the
Tuths winch appear so clear and irresistible 10
my own Sir 'rOYh that possessed some portion
OF That 'resIst!css eIoqucnce," which
"W'edrd at - II the fierce Depocr,rv
"Si ook the arsenal, aud flnned Der Rorr,
would exert it MI on this occasion There have
indeed been already examinations" cuoumb. hut
would exert al! in my power in imploring gentle
men on Doth SIDES to mutual Cancellation and for
bearancc' would exert myself 10 inducc tbcec
who differ most widely in their views. TO con,nro
mise some portion of their exactions-not to cv
pect, not 10 desire what either bclievc ruino,.. ,
10 unite III celebrating on some plan from which
results beneficial 20 both mirht Lc dc,isod 7
would beg of them by every consideration 7 cou1J
urge not to tread on the dccenru! cindersp no
meath us-not 10 peril every thing bv attc,rr,inr
too much, or refusing to do any thing Lei ms moi
refuse to do any thing, bccausc WE cannot ,I,,,;,
al VIC desire. Reason and prudence in tbo c,
mon affairs OF life, and in the most ,voIphfy con
Germs OF states and empires, certainly point out y
different course lot us, in this couciljatiuo spi
rt, examine tic subject and if the substitute oC!
tb0 II