Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-12-15

with At least policy would dictate that the eon,eou.n
ees OF REFUSAL ought to be weighed against the conse
fuences resulting from want of the thing demanded
the demand be made on the one side and refused
on Inc Other the peace of the two parties can only
preserved by compromise of the honor or position
one, Or both parties. This is point to which hope
.ese States may never be driven for is one from which
'ney cannot rccede but by dissolution of the Union
After depicting the dangers of the Abolition Societies
INC worm IN very aPProPri ate terms, the Governor
says, mat the Slave. holding States have perfect right
OF all the others, that they should adopt prompt
anu eheent means to suppress all such associations
istlng within their limits and recommends the sadop
lion oi such measures only may Justify strong app
cat"n TO each Of coStates within which any Of the
associations referred to may exist suppress them spec
oily; and 10 establish such other regulations as may be
TO prevent punish acts designed or calculated
70 oiSurb our tranquility But from mach correspon-
ocncc IN relation To the subject with persons on the
ne nds the prevailing opinion of most of them to be
tat mo efectua legislative action need be expected on
e part OF our co-States where is necessary but
mat Tie Southern and South western States will have 10
rely upon themselves only for the preservation of their
own peace and tranquility; and finally he swould re-
that communications be opened speedily with
al! tse Savehsdng States, to invite their co-operaton
IN any plan that you the Legsature) may think most
wise to be adopted not only in regard the action of
The Federal Government but to the suggested applica-
ton 10 our co-States."
Now, suppose Virginia shall under this "pcrfect right
requre the Northern States to adopt prompt and eff.
ecual means to suppress all such associations existing
within their limits" and that those States should reply
tha within their limits discussion of the abstract prin
cpe OF slavery, we'll its policy perfectly nno-
cent any other question of morals political
that IN Virginia, slaves may be manunitted by will or
oeeo and that any argument going TO show the proprty
OF peaceabe and voluntary of slaves in Viz
gina, IS perfectly innocent and compatible with the
laws ofhe State, and that any such argument may be
published as we'll in Virginia any Northern State that
an attempt to suppress any such discussion in the North
crn States, would be incompatible with the freedom Of
their Institutions and could not be asked by Virginia,
while she permits such discussion the manumssion of
slaves within her limits that publications having
dency TO ncite the slaves of Virginia TO rebellion can
only be mlschcyous when made, or exhibited in Virgil
MA, where the offenders can be appropriately punished
that the Northern States neither knowing the character
ofthe States the focc and effect Of publications up
their minds, could not judge with proprety, what
would would not be lawful and right to suppress that
the execution Of any laws which they could pass might
be evaded without the knowledge consent of the pub
lie funconares; and that faithful execution of any
laws adequate to the suppression Of the evil could only
be expected by those on the spot, where danger
be apprelcndcd from the slaves.
What course, then, would Virginia take' Would she
abandon this perfect right and retract her demand:"
Would she pocket the insult and rely at last upon her
exerons; would she attempt dissolution of the
Union? What does tho Governor mean by recommend
ing that communications be opened speedily with all
the holding States to invite their cooperation in
any plan that the Legislature may think wise be
adopted unless II be confederation of the South
he goes further in developing The ultimate issue 10
which his plan will carry He the Legislature
in the following words, to witt Under this aspect of
affairs, two questions demand your considerations the
prompt decision Of which, required not less by the
rights of the States than by the security and inter
est; of those you represent. The first OF these qucs
tons refers TO the condition Of things exist
ing, and cxacts Of you to determine whether such
a state shall longer be borne. The second regards
the proposed change in present relations, which
lations have long brought happiness and tranquility
to all This second question cannot be misunderstood
and would seem, was intended TO warn the Legsla
ture Of speedy dissolution Of the Union, unless the
Northern States shall do what is very generally ad-
mted they will not do. Why shall tamper with so
vital and important question: 1t seems to Inc, that
Virginia has the power, and the WILL 10 protect herself
against all the Fanatics oil the North, if the Legislature
will but ire proper remedies 1t does not conport with
the dignity character Of the holding States 10
admit that they hold their property at the will of any
other States or powers If such admission made,
it would be untrue in point Of fact This admission is
most devuuy 10 be wished for, by tile Fanatics the
one hand, and by those who want dissolution of the
Union the other. For while the former would be
stimulated to vigorous exertens, under full belief
of their capacity 10 effect their designs: the latter
wond have brought the affairs OF country 10 that
point, beyond which, the Union could exist no longer
than would he necessary for formal DISSOLUTION.
The designs of the Fanatics most nctarous, and
all the pains and penalties that the ingenuity of our Lie.
gsluture devise Dug ht to be inflicted upon them
IL.
~ peculiar TO the Southern States and the protection
and of it, must also, be- and remain peculiar 10 them
If demand the protection of slave property at
the hands of the free Sates by pains and penalties to be
inflicted under their authority their dcudrd cti
zcns we shall arouse Indignation against Us, and eli
cit dis ussion Of the principles OF slavery at the polls,
where our rights will neither be respected, nor under
stood. Has any wise and prudent man studied the ef
fcts of popular institutions tte not TO know
that demand, leading inevitably to such discussion,
would be positively dangerous 10 the peace and happ-
ness Of country? Where is the slave hold
inn State that would condesccnd discuss its right 10
its own property, with any other State power None,
hope, any where. Yet, if we make the demand pro-
posed by the Governor provoke discussion, which,
if once fairly opened, may only be closed after spiling
the best bloud uf our beloved country.
Let first dc duty 10 ourselves, before demanding
certain duties from others While have forty thou
sand free negroes and mulaoes under the protection Of
our laws, raising up and educating tamles-sow'
ing the seeds of rebellion and sedlton IN all their walks
oil ltc-exhibng to the slaves, every where, the pos
sbility Of Understanding every thing among
the slaves calculated to make them worthless and un-
happy-and the Legislature almost in the daily ia-
bit of granting special leave for those to remain here,
wo by general laws, are protlted-l say, while all
these things exist position and conduct rather in
yite than prohibit tho practices OF Fanatics Let the
Legislature up TO the necessities OF our SITUATION IN
correcting the evils existing among u.s. and IN providing
the most cccua remedies against hole as well as TO-
reign fanatics and we shall have no occasion
to throw rebrand into the Northern hives which will
only contribute increase of fanatics, in more
dangerous form than they now exist.
Public opinion in the North is decidedly against the
uniusti6abc course of these miscevous and de!uded
people, and preserve the influence of that public Opt
Mon we must make no further demands upon 1t than
the Constitutions and laws Of the United States and the
respective States will fully justify We must make snch
laws as we ourselves execute and only require OF
the Northern States the delivery 10 of fugves from
the Justice of our own laws.-And call upon them for
further legislative restrictions, in case OF peculiar and
rhD,,I Iprsn n1tp ar.
rive. NIi-r f,A'tAi'O'
COMMUNICATED.
TO THE LEGISLATURE OF VIRGINIA.
Well done, thou good and faithful Servants! You are
doing the work of the People most nob!y, and faithfully
1t was confidently expected, You wou G Ieinstate Mr.