Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-02-24
Legislative RscDaac---Consim,.ed.
HOUSE OF DELEG ATES.

tSINrH DAYl-Ttesday, January II.
DEnArE on M GooDE's Resolution, Nh, RANDo1rH's
substitute, the Report Of the Committee on Slarcs
and Nh PREsroN's Motion TO amend.
MIR. CHANDLER, rose aud said:
MIR. Speakcr-tpon subject interesting, so
monentous, so well calculated 10 distract the mind
and torture tho heart, to break with friends, and
create enemies the better part OF discretion may
possibly be silence. This caution | was originally
disposed to pursue; but since the question has been
discussed, should prove rocrcaut 10 all the prnci-
pies oil my nature, were now To be satisfied in Civ
ing mere tacit VOTE Never before did fec TO so
great an extent the responsibility OF the representa-
i've characters never so oppressed with the magni-
tldc OF "A trust These considerations inpcl me to
declare the reasons of my course.
should have preferred, Sir, giving my vote on
me proposition OF the gentleman from Mccklenburg,
(Mr. Goode) only. What is that? ltis to take from
one OF the largest and most talented Committees of
tins House, even the consideration of II subject so
vitality interesting To- the people of this Coniinon-
wealth was that proposition now before the House,
should vote for lis rejection / should do so be-
cause 1 humbly conceive its adoption would be
declaration to the world, that Virginia has within her
disease which dctiCs the knife of the surgeon, and
the medicine of the physicians; that she is possessed
of an evil about which her politicians dare not even
talk. In doing this, should be giving consistent
vote. 1t will he recolieced, Sir that when the me-
moral from Charles City was presented by the gen
tleman from Hanover, Mr. Roancl and when its re-
ference was opposed, that took occasion to observe,
that believed the people of Norfolk county would
rejoice, could they, even in the vista OF time, see
some scheme for the gradual removal OF this curse
from our land. should have voted, Sir, Tor It's re-
icclion, because was dcsrous to see report from
tine Committec, declaring the slave population an
evil, and recommending TO thc people of this Com
monwealth, the adoption Of some plan for its rid
dance. In the early part OF thc discussion, was
opposed TO all measures calculated either to retarl
or accelerate the proceedings Of the Committee
Actpatcd 10y prudential motives, should have pre-
crred that the vote should have been taken without
debate. Discussion, however, has been preferred hy
Others and II Is due 10 the House, that their aro-
nIcnts should he answered. The debate hlr Speak
Ell was commenced 10y those friendly 10 ii, OBJ
lect of the petition. The first move was maize lv
the gentleman from Mcckicnburg, Or. Goode1
against its reference In this he failed, by vote OF
nInety-thrce To twenty and scarcely had the
Committee been in session week, before tliev had
reported upon the eXpcdency of removing even the
free negroes; and before they had considered any
proposition touching the slave populations motion
was made 10y the same gentleman, to discharge them
from the consideration of all memorials and petitions
referred to them, relating To Il removal of the slaves.
The discussion, Sin, commenced with him. and upon
his and not our shoulders, rest the consequences
should any INJURY arise out OF it: none, however /
0pprchcnd, will ensuc.
1t has been said that this is the first session of the
Legislature which has ever admitted discussion OF
this nature: and what, Sir, does this prove? Clearly
that there IS no danger. When you discover an ey-
pcrienccd gunner going into a magazine with metal
buttons and sCel-tappcd shoes, YOU may be satisfied
that the floor las been well swept and the powder
secured in fre-proof casks: and when YOU find an
accomplished tactican, one familiar with the Blodus
operdndt OF this House, commencing discussion of
this nature, you may be sure that all is safe do
you require farther evidence of this? Look Sir nj
the females who grace this auditory. The dimplc
"f Joy their check aud tho expression of Inirtl,
aud happiness in their eye, attest there is no cause of
alarm. Shall man, fearless man. whose boast and
PRIDE 1t is TO be regardless Of danger shrink from
the discussion of that which woman, lovely woman
with all her tender seDsibiitics and tmid nppreheu
SONS, smiles at? No, Sir. This and the last vecl,
have shewn that the of Virginia arc NOT afraid
TO meet this question. Never was the Common
wealth so safe; the whites strong; the blacks so
weak. They terrified almost TO death bv the
CONSCIOUSNESS Of thor wCkedncss aud the fear of
rcrIbuyc justice. The Whites are armed at all
points. we are strong in the Wcsf, and still strong
or III the East. The powerful arm Of the Federal
Government alone in that quarter can protect MS
against all danger. Thus circunIsanced if This
question were ever to be debated now the session
for IT. could, however, have wished that the de-
DN'e hod commenced more regularly, and with lit
Tie more preparation IL has broken upon us like a
ihunder Storm IN clear summers day This how
ever, may be an advantage; for had the peonIo M
ucIpacd II, some apprchensions might have been
entertained abOut the result. must confess nm,
uhPrepared to argue the proposition involved in thn
debate IN detail Principles must be combattod bv
Ania2onisuc incplC5-rcsuits by opposin, ras,,l,
marches of the mind by counter Inarches,
The gentleman from Brunswick, MIR Gholsopl
has, with an clOqucnCc TINT has charmed the HOUSE
spoken Of the chartered rights of the people These
words leil hke muslc upon my There is Gu
Phohy' hcrc is melody in them. They animate the
Soul ana enlNcn tllc iuuCy. Ia Imagination [ was
carried TO Runncmcdr, where our British ancestors,
wrcsted FROM the tyfsut John ON acknowledgements
OF thsir rights 10y cAer.cr so ccyraled in history
and TO the subsequent reign, when that haloyyed in.
'"'Ah'ui "a9 countries by lis son Henry. 'rhe