Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-04-02

heard hini ask THIS pre- gnant question. II the States have
a right P~eaceably 10 seeede whenever they ara dissa-
ushed. Of what great importance was il that the Con.
situiion should have been so strenuously resisted in ma.
ny oil the Conventions: Suppose, sncr one of Patrick
henrys animated p~hilippics. and highly colored pictures
oil The dangers to liberty, which he unprecedented from this
Constitution, MIR. Madison had simply remarked. "ihs,
,hese dangers were visionary, because a State might with.
draw IRON the Union, whenever she thought fit" What
reply would have been made, by the opponents of the
Constitutions! l answer, they would have denied his con.
struction Of the Constitution. Who doubts il! Or, ifthey
dd not, they might have truly sail. that IL was not worth
disputing about. What i, the Union, but a rope Of sand.
IL such are IFS principles? IL the Soutl, had acsuiesced i'm
such principles in the time OF the Embargo. and of the
Hartford Convention during the late war, what would
have become Of some Of the Eastern States! They would
probably have gone of from the Union, Sustained as
they would have been, by the powerful foe with whom we
ere contcnding) but, for The large minorities in those
very States, who, like the patriotic and noble and
undaunted minority in South Carolina, clung to the
Union with unhinchiag tenacNy. Aud so il will always
be-, II this rights conceded TO exist in any other form than
That great right OF revolution, which is the most itupot-
'an' oil all our rights; but which is ne v0r TO be used ex-
cept III the very last extremity. That extremity canno,
exist In a country Is free, as happy and Us fourishinr as
ours. Are the people in the enjoyment Of their freedom,
Shew Inc the single individual whose liberty is oppressed.
Are they happy! They were so till tlrea'e ned by South
ern disturbances with disunion and civil war. Are they
iourishing! Look TO our csnsus-see the growing popu-
iailou: look TO our custom house books, look To our coun.
Try every where Improving. II wo are a suffering, and
oppressed, aud enslaved people, then the providence of
Sod mas forbidden the enjoyment OF happiness and liberty
forever 10 the whole human family. Let a, moi deserve
his wrath oy dissatisfaction, whilst we erioy al his hands
30 many enviable blessings. We are the envy of the ci-
viized world. The lovers OF liberty in Europe look to
us as the happiest Of people. They have pointed TO Is as
a model. They have looked TO a like condition as IN.
great object OF their aspirations. But they are now ircn,-
bling at our discussions: whilst their enemies are cxclaim.
ing, "behoid your boosted Republic!'
l certsiny have charity enough TO believe, that some
oil tiose who have adopted those alarming and danger
Gus opinions are misguided, aud unconscious of tLeir
iatai effects. They ainuse themselves with Liscnssinc
the questions Of Secession aud Modification az abstract
rights: IL II was proposed at this moment that Virginia
should secede and dissolve the Union, they would start
back with indignation anil adherence from the propo,i.
ton. They do not perceive that this is not the case with
all Ihey dc not perceive that the discussion aud asser-
ton OF these rights are steps in the downward road IN IN.
dissolution of the Union. Look, 1 pray YOU. at the eyi.
dence. You are increasingly told that there are irrccon.
ciiabie Interests between the northern and southern
States. The very last act of Csrolina-one of the re-.
ports oil her convention, reiterates the assertion, and all
her follower, echo it from Charleston 10 the Potomac
rms IS 10 render us dissatisfied ,cih the cOnncriOn !
\ ou nre then told, that the southern States are in a mino.
rhy, aiJ that without the power Of checking the majority
by multiplying the laws, the Uuion must continue TO he on.
pressive TO them. This rs to render us dissatisfied triih
me ONion! You are then addressed i'm that print which,
Is the generally received organ of the party, in animated
language, denying that our happiness, and our liberty, and
independence depend upon the Union; aud asserting tina,
we may be as happy and independent and free in a state
OF separation. This is to Jamiiiarize and reconcile as 10
the idea Of sepdrdtioni
You are also told in every quarter that YOU have a rio II,
to secede; and ii the object is not to secedc, wLy il il liza,
The right Is now so zealously asserted and maintained!
why Is 1t that II is made a vital question, as il our all de.
fN'NSN NrNh w uO 10 v - very earnest IN ASSERTING
a right which they have no desire TO exercise! You arc
told you have a right 10 secede pedceably. This is to re.
more me dpPfehensions Of civil tcdr and 6loodshed
which with the benevolent, and humane, and aniable peo.
pie oil our country, would be a prevailing argument agaIns,
secession.
Even the paternal admonition of Gen. Washington :. 10
disc9unlenance whatever may suggest a suspicion that
.he Onion can In any event be abandoned" is denounced
oy the bold organ oil the party. For, unfortunately. the
printers are our leaders in every thing.
Yes, fellow citizens, when they shall have succeeded
IN convincing us that the Union is oppressive and ruinous
10 me people OF the South, that. we cannot be prosperous
and happy In it, but may be happy out of it; when they
can prove TO US we have the right TO leave il at Measure.
ana may do so ln peace, then they will throw aside eve.
~ uiSgulse' and The proposition will be openly submitted
THAT THIS UNION BE DISSOLVED"
III you would avoid this sad event, elect TO vour NOV,
Legislature men Of COO. heads, sound principles, and devo.
'ed friends oil good order, and peace, aud Union. Keen
your General Assembly free from inhammable materials
heep that body cool aud firm, and there will be no danger
for' virginia stands in the cOntre, between the north and
me sou'n' IKE a bold pronIOntory; and as long ms She is
calm ana steadfast, there will be no danger. Whilst sle is
hrIn. Carolina will sec the fruitlessness of the efforts of
her demagogues TO shake the Union TO pieces, and the o. r
oil good feelings and good principles win return. Her
people, who are misguided by their leaders, will see
through Their designs, and will cast them from their cor,
huehce; aud VIII call once more TO their councils the 10
SerS oil good order, aud the friends of the Union.
VOICE LnD NrtA