Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-02-11

adducing arguments splendid scheme of PHI
ian'hropy AZ one moment we have been directed TO the
sacred authority oil holy Writ, and entertained with dis
sertaton upon the moral evil of sayery-Thc next,
gloomy picture upon the desolaon that necessarily
ensue uponts longer continuance aud then closed by
formidable array OF the OF distinguished men, who
have been opposed TO tho principle of slavery The
iony OF MIR. Jefferson has been held up in its most inn
posing form, aud made the standard around which scntc-
men have rallied their hosts. Sir, no man enertans n
more exalted opinion Of this great man than do. The
powers OF his vast and comprehensive mind directed
ne advancement o. the principles of free governments he
has won by his efforts in the cause of liberty an i'm
mortality Tor his naic, that will live halowcd through all
gratitude OF rcgcncratcd man. But Sir cannot
yled lae convictions of my Judgment 10 the devotion
oil my feelings. What Sir might have been practicable
at the time that Mr.. Jefferson advanced this abstract Cpl
nion is certainly ncxpedient now; and il persisted n if
forced into application, without regard to circumstances
Will produce wreck of devastation over which his patr
olic genius would have wiiacred behold Sir regard
Tie conduct more than the opinions OF men; and Mr. JEFF
efsoh presented practical example, which be
taken; he never acted upon this mild and dsnteresed
Pncpe ,nat gentlemen say he recommended to Others
ny pcraing his savcs-bnt, Sir continued in their pos
session. and perpctuatcd their condition by the last solemn
act OF his lille; which is sufficient with me TO put 10 igh;
all The conclusions tina; have been drawn from the ex-
preston Of this abstract opinion. But, Sir upon what
principle is il that gentlemen have arrived at the coneu-
SION ,a' slavery Is This crying evil this cornorant that
1, preying upon e vitas oil the body polite consuming
a tnatiS valuable in The principles of Government
or' cannot agree with the gentlcmen- force
my mimi, even by calling 10 its aid humanity, religion or
Pan'nropy, TO the conclusion that slavery, it exists
IN Virginia san evil. But, Sir, on the contrary con-
slider 1t susceptible OF demonstration that it is to this very
c"use tnat we may trace the high and elevated charac
ter which she has heretofore susancd and moreover
That It's existence isindispcnsaby requisite in order 10
serve The forms OF Republican Government. Sir,
mouiu ask gentlemen TO point to solitary
government, since the institution of civil society in which
'nc pncpe oil slavery not tolerated some form or
oer SIR from the very inherent nature of society il has
and VIII continue exist Fortune genius and
erconSdtutc difference in and not nature
M" 1.aw no me oil distinction between him who drives,
anu mn VINO rides within the COACH yet circumstances
haVe ami these circumstances force the one 10 lend his
services othc accommodation of the other Sir in the
Republics of Greece and Rome that have becn dcnom;
atcu The cradles of bcrtyfom whose spirit millions
nave been awakened TO the love of freedom slavery was
IN lhc severes, FORM and the principle by which
was governed, relentless 10 every feeling of humanity
on whose soil the principle of universal emanci-
pauon iitst claimed its existence contains miserable
I % ana degraded peasanry who perform the
MAJ oucs oil i'e compared TO whom our slaves may be
regarded as occupying most enviabc condition. JIu
mainly, SIR, must plead in vain for their removal. For
place IL upon this ground, and none can hesitate IN 40
knowedge, but that the slave in Virginia reared os h l.
TO the knowledge of moral pncpIe is in more nanny
.luoh uah me African, wandering as he does in igno-
ana wIeehedncss the sun-scorchcd deserts
ms naive iahd stranger TO the lights of moral re-
Vcaed religion. But force out this principle of humanity
ehu remove Them TO the shores of Africa; immune them
Ia is iau OF darkness, on which the beam of Intelligence
has never yet played; subject them to the influence ot Tho
examples oil misery, cruelty and degra-
u1oh Wch they must daily witness among this bcnght-
ed people, and tho revolution of half century will moi
nave passed before every moral aud enlightened impress
sion will have been obitera,ed and thew sunk IN Tho
wrctched degradation of its native inhabitan,s Rut Sir
we have been oltha the moral energies of Virginia are
rapidly sinking under lis influence Cast your reflections
Mf. Speaker but for moment, the range of This
widely extended continent and where, Sir is the com
munty, with which the high destiny the moral and no
hucal elevation OF Virginia, would flower in the copar
son! Look Sir 10 her civil historycverv pacc Of which
contains name that will live fresh in the recoecons of
after times as having performed deeds and effected rcvo
luons that would have reflected upon any age or
country Turn Sir, TO her military achievements and
me deeds OF Washington, whose every battlefield is
holy ground reflects immortality upon her destiny
Mat the successive revolutions of ages can never oace
Sr she Is not declining. But freed from the influence
ahtS pdRpR a6ss PbseS4asSH will hold the ha
J ios ,aPuIy advancing States in this Conederacy
lear, Mr. Speaker, that have already tresnossc1 ,
o'S upon inc KIND indulgence of this House: but sod
oe wanting IN duty TO those that represent were NOT 70
warn gentlemen against the fatal consequences of such
Po"cy oi we feel the strongest attachment 10 This land
vi our hauvyand arc ready make any sacrifice ~ nro
mote The public veal But we cannot surrender o,r pro
perry 10 me demands OF dcluded Enaicism; we cannot
Sciu 10 me efacilons OF power that must srp us of all
@ wor' preservation in political association: and
IL gentlemen are determined TO force i, measure mon
US P'lhop'e oil seli-prescrvaion will drive us TO The
maintenance oil our rghtsor submission IN This arlr,
ry eNacton is than freemen will hear Tbo Loni
OF S Concderacy must he dissolved or the inhabitants
,e East driven 10 other States, in which they NAV find
% p,oecuon or Their property which this measure seeks
10 ucSoy. ne fertile field that heretofore waived will
!leh toiage, will yield its verdure TO the thistle The
1sPtaoc mansion That was animated with the voice of
fh' and It's halls quckcncd gaicty by the festive
dhce VIII DC closed, with the shadow of ruin fixed upon
ltS portals will not extend the picture of oeanclol
dcsolaon that must follow the result will not on,ci
pa INC ale mat IS already settling in gloom upon The
bright prospect that opened before The ady,nc;r
destiny OF Virginia The impoicy of the measure i -
lection 70 ~ :" ''' ie-
In conclusion, Mr.. Speaker. allow M, 10 .,o,,,.
thanks for the kind attention of the House '
(DtbGte TO be continual
4 Wcnty-scc0sd Congress- assess. Q.