Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-08-30

mperously requires IT, Ono Of the most humillating pic
lures Of this country drawn by Captain Basil Hail. e tina
which describes slave auction at the seat Of free
publican government IL is the more humliating, be
Of Its truth Let this STAIN therefore, upon the Anne
csn name De endured no longer. The rulers Of free
people should assemble only In the atmosphere Of free
dom. Not another session should pass. away before
this plague-spot is removed. We aware that the
difculty oil achieving il has been increased during the
past year by the indiscreon of few infatuated zeaos
me North Should the proposition TO abolish slavery In
he District OF Columbia be made at the approaching
sion, those whose policy is TO embro the South with the
North. will cry that this is evidence the
prophecyihst there Is systematic determn ltion the
part OF the North to interfere with the slave properly
the South This pretence, however will not we trust
deter the friends OF human rights from proceeding
form their duty. This clsmor, believe will prove as
impotent as that Of their anpodes-the immediate abo
tionss We have lately perused with speech
of General Blair of South Carolina, in which, notwi,h
standing his high toned remarks i'm Congress last winter
he does justice to the North in expressing his
mat she has no intention TO interfere with those rights
which the CONSTITUTION has recognized and guaranteed. We
say then, that vast majority the liberal aad
men oil the South will go with in regard TO the abolition
oi slavery IN the District Of Columbia and in Hing the
inference that this is an ncpent and nsdious
10 greater object The question OF continuing slavery
me District is anomalous. Ii has affinity whatever to
those topics which the uras both sides OF the question
are so anxious to discuss and set the country by the
upon When period more oppoune than the present
occur, oree ourselves from this national reproach''
And when, say we, could any period less oppor-
tune be consulted? When the w. India project is
own presses are teeming with Jealous feelings; and
the agitaors on both sides of the Potomac are rush
ing on to their nschevous purposes is This the time
Tor bringing the discussion into our public councils?
TINS the time to excite the fostering sensibites of
the South-to threaten her rights-to furnish new
weapons to the Nulliiers-and split the country in
to sectional parties-and usher in host of evils,
which 1t may take much wiser men, than Mr.. Stone
or ourselves to anticipate to arrest? We address
ourselves to him freely, because upon this subject
ut least he has hitherto displayed discernmen and
a discretion which commanded our sincere appro.
bation We ask him "Is this the time:" Have we
not gone on very well-has not our country attained
an unparalleled prosperity for 80 years. without at
tempting any such revolution in the District of CO.
Iumbia! But we go farther-and we ask Mr.. Stone
where is the forbearance, where the Justice, of maxi
ing any such innovation? 1t is well understood
that this confederated Republic is divided in its inter-
ests opinions and feelings upon this, the only great
source of distinction between the North and the
South. Why should not the Government leave this
question as 1t found it-keep entirely aoof from it
preserve perfect neutrality between two sides-and
not manifest any degree of partality towards the
one, or any species OF persecution towards the other
The people of the District have rights and interests
OF their own-and are they not to be consulted? The
District OF Columbia was taken off from two slave
holding States. She is still surrounded by both Vir
ginia and Maryland-and it would thus plant a CO.
ony In the midst of them, which might serve as the
asylum OF their fugitive slaves-as the medium of
connection between them and the Northern Fana-
cs-as constant thorn in their Sides ready to in
name ana TO irritae the masters with the people of
the District, and the Citizens of the north
But we forbear for the present We cannot per-
suade ourselves that the project will be seriously
preached or that it receive the countenance of
he Congress of the United States. Should it I'M
fortunately do SO, we for one prepared to do our
luty. We shall oppose the mischievous attempt
with all the means in our power-and we are per-
ectly satisfied that Virginia will protest against it
N the frnest manner.
Mr. Stone knows very well, that zoe do not belong
% the tribe OF the Agitators-and that we have
bearded and defed the resentments of " those,
whose policy it is to embro the South with the
North" But we know the mischiefs which such
may produce; and we respectfully warn
Mr. Stone and his friends against the consequences
May our admonitions not be like those of Cassan-
1ra