Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-04-03

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admitted that there persons the North,
who claim that Congress possess power upon the
subject than Mr.. Webster supposed still have not the
slightest doubt, but the substantial operative and
trolling sentiment OF the North such he described
it. Amongst the political party with which have al
ways been associated, hazard nothing in saying, that
there exists The greatest Immunity There is therefore,
no ground for apprehension upon this point
In regard the other branch the subject (the ques,
ton of Abolition in the District of Columbia the
is substantially the same, though it, is entirely
different II is true hlt petitions from the North have,
tor several Sessions been presented to Congress- praying
for the Abolition OF Slavery in The District and
aware how much you apprcliend from this mode aga-
ting the subject But | submit yon whether the
course which has hitherto been pursued in respect TO
those applications is not sufficient couneract what
ever effect their presentation may have producedOne
or two facts will place the matter clear light When
the late President Adams in 1882 the House
OF Representatives. several petitions which had been
committed to his charge. asking amongst other things
Tor the Abolition of Slavery in the District of Columbia
he expressed his views upon branch of the petitions
IN the following explicit and strong terms: As to the
oher prayer OF the petitions the Abolition by Congress-
OF slavery in the District of Columbia had occurred to
hun that the petitions might have been committed
- ., '''u'i an 'Al'et' uiat u wou'u re-
ceive ms countenancc and support. He deemed it
therefore his duty to declare that il would not
Whatever might be his opinion fsavery the abstract
or OF slavery IN the District of Columbia, a subject
which he hoped would be discussed in th.t House;
ifit should be- he might perhaps assign the why
he could give il support At present
he would only say the House. the worthy citi-
zens who had committed their petition his charge,
that the most sauiary medicines, unduy administered,
were the most deadly of poisons"
The petitions were referred TO the Committee the
District who reported against any interference until the
wisdom Of the State Governments shall have devised
some practicable means of diminishing eradcang the
eyh complained Of This Report adopted by the
House, without division. pass the interval be-
tween that period and the last session. without other
ce than simply To remind you, that ground Ia
Ken during that interval. inconsistent with what has
been stated AT the last session, similar petition pre-
scented to the House of Representatives ordered
DC laid on the table by of than of
the members In the Senate a course similar in its re-
ed No b,v
been referred, without debate, TO the Committee
District OF Columbia and no further action has been
had upon them
In reference to this whole subject there another and
stiil more Impressive fact, which ought be
looked During that crisis ofunprecedened political cx
cenent through which we have just passed. although al
mostevcry other matter drawn by the force ocircu-
stances INTO the vortex of party every question
ca WIN the peculiar institutions and interests of the
South was kept out Oft apparently common consent
and although the names of several Southern gentlemen
have, during the present canvass been brought before
the public candidates for the Presidency and their re-
spcctve merits less discussed am vet to see
the first instance in which their supposed opinions upon
this point, have been made at the North the subject of
observation. Do these facts my dear sir when la
ken in connection with other indications of popular SEN
tnent which willrcady afford the strongest
evidence OF the consderatc and liberal spirit with which
Tie great body of the people of the North are dis
posed TO deal with this delicate subject? am in
sensible to the deep interest which you naturally take
In IT. nor wanting in respect that degree of sensitive
ness which, am free to admit u.s. in degree inse-
parable from your condition. But in view of the facts
winch have been stated, may il not be suggested that
the bcrality and orbearancc of the rejecting portion
of Northern populations ought TO be met in n cor.
responding temper by their brethren of the South; and
that IN this way good men both Sides acting for their
country and practising reciprocal orbcnrance may pre-
vent any serious dernent TO the harmony and pcrma-
nencc of our political conicderacy?
3. The 1ari6.-Mr Van Buren's views upon the sub
Ject OF the Tariff were stated without reserve when
candidate Tor the Vice Presidency in October, 1892 i'm
letter to a committee appointed by public meeting
held at Shocco Springs in North Carolina In that let,
Ter he thus oppressed msel-and nothing has since oc
channc he hon onfe
Although my official acts in relation the protcc-
tive system, might well be regarded as rendering the
avowal unnecessary, think it, nevertheless proper to
say that believe the establishment of commercial rcgu-
latIons, with view to the encouragement of domestic
gress Whilst howevqS have entertained this opin
ion IT has been my wish the power in acs-
ton exercised with an oppressive inequality upon any
Pornon OF our citizens or for the advantage of one
section of the Union at the expense of another on
the contrary, have at all times believed be the sa-
cred duty OF those who ntrused with the Admins.
tration of the Federal Government direct its opera
tons in the manner best calculated distribute as equally
possible its burthcns and blessings among the eyeraI
States and the People. My views upon this subject
were several years ago spread before the People of this
State, and have since been widely dhused through the
medium OF the public My object at that time,
TO invite the attention of immediate constituents to
dispassionate consideration of the subject in various
bearings being well assured. that such investigation
would bring them to standard, which, from its modera-
ton and justice would furnish the best guarantee for the
true interests of all IT, as has been supposed those
views have contributed in any degree produce state
o feeling so much TO be desired have be graft
fed with the result
1.-The approaching and if the policy of the present Elk
ecuve rs allowed to prevail the certain and speedy
ungushment OF the national debt has presented
Portunity tor the more equitable adjustment of the Tariff
which las been already embraced by the adoption of
conciatory measure the spirit Of which will doubt
continue to be cherished by all who DESTROYS of
advancing their private interest the sacrifice of those
oil the public and who place Just value upon the
and harmony of the Union.
" The protective system and lis proper adjustment be-
came subject Of frequent and necessary consideration
whilst formed part of the cabinet; and the manner in
winch the PRESIDENT proposed to carry into effect the
Pohcy IN relation to IMPORTS recommended in his previ
Gus messages, has since been avowed with that
winch belongs to his character To this end he recon-
mended modification of the Tariff which should pro-
duce reduction of the the wants of the Co
Vernment, and adjustment of the duty upon Imports
with view to equal justice in relation to all ton
al interests and to the cOunteracon of foreign policy
SO tar as IL may be injurious to those interests
" In these sentiments, fully concur; and have been
thus explicit IN the statement of them, that there may
no room Tor mlsapprchenson as to my views upon
the SUBJECT sincere and faithful application of these
principles to our legislation, unwarpcd by private inter
est or political design restriction of the wants of the
Government TO simple and economical administration
oil It's affarsthe only administration which is consistent
WIN the purity and stability of the republican SYSTEM
preference IN encouragement given TO such manufac-
lures as are essential to the national defence its
tension to others in proportion they are pied 10 our
country, and of which the material is produced by
ourselves with proper respect for the rule which dc.
nands that ali taxes should be imposed in proportion
the ability and condition Of the contributors would
am convinced, give ultimate satisfaction TO vast mao-
y OF the People of the United Staes and arrest that
spirit OF discomfort, which is unhappiy prevalent
and which threatens extensive tI. ,,stf.