Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-09-11
EbO.Ya EsTIC
MIDDLEsEx MEETING ,Is


ce, for the purpose of taking into consideration the
course and principles of the Northern Fanatics in
ference to the subject of Southern Saves-On the
ton of Dr. Richard A. Christian, Mai Richard NJ Sc
gar called 10 the Chair and George Healy appoint
ed Secretary The Chairman then stated the object of
the meeting in very happy and appropriate addrcssin
the of which, he dsclamed every thing like poll
cal party feeling and expressed ardent desire that
such worthy influence would be permitted to ope
rate the mind of any individual present. which de-
sire, we believe, found responsive sentiment in every
bosom.
Resoiecd, That Il Committee OF Eleven to consider
and report Preamble aud Resolutions of the
which Committee the Chair proceeded to appoint fol-
lows Il T. Montague, Esq, Walter Ilealy, Esq, DR.
R. A. Christian, Col. Will Shepherd, Rev George
Noriham, l.. b. Montague, Esq, Rev. Philip r. Mon
tague, DIR John r. Taylor, Elder Geo Healy, Thomas
Street. Esq, and Will Broadus Esq-who having with
drawn for time from the meeting returned and pre-
scented the following Preamble and Resolutions for
sderation
'.rhe unparalleled and indeed appalling ropdity with
which lew misguided, despsed Fanatics, have incrcas-
cd IN number and In power To the North within the short
space less than three years unaded we are happy
to believe, by the support, counenance ofthe
respectable portion of those communities in which they
live, OF ITSELF addresses and Southern
generally voice of warning which il is the part of wis
dom not to disregard: But when add this the bold
and reckless avowals of that fiction the extent of
their designs combined with the mode of practical opc-
ration, developed by the facts which are daily accru-
ing amongst us; called upon i'm a tone rendered
nperious by the first great law ofNature to arouse from
that slunber in which fatally reposng, and adopt
loved country the most distressing calamity vet visited
upon man Sensible of the delicacy Of this
ec and FULLY aware of the difficulties by which IL
is surrounded we approach its consideration with
cere and unaffected diffidence
Nevertheless, impelled by of duty to our
selves, and those whom Providence hath placed under
our protection, cannot shrink from the task; and in
presenting views shall endeavor observe that per-
feet rankness and candor which should ever mark the
intercourse between republican brethren; and which
we regard peculiarly due this OCCASION alike to
ourselves and our fellow citizens of the North
locotn in Tho
in violation OF the Federal Constitution, and in utter
disregard of that Divine preccpt which nhibts any in
reference with other mems matters, and enoins upon
ALL separately and individually to do their own BUSH
ness have obiruGed themselves into the uranagement
OF our domestic relations, and with audacy equaled
only by IT'S FOLLY and wckedness have attempted force
upon forum of conscience for the formation and
government of our moral and religious principles
Not content with, but vainly presuming TO invade
the province ofthe Sovereign Ruler ofhe Universe
contempt of his Divine Wisdom and Authority they
have dared prescribe laws for the government Of his
subjects by assuming that Slavery is moral evil i'm the
eye of Heavens and that therefore, it the duty of all
to unite with them in the effort abolish it; which we
regard in direct opposition to all the limitations of DDS
pleasure aud providence developed in the Sacred Vo
lume given to man as lamp to his feet and light
his Path. u,o ,;,;.
infinitely better than that of the labourng classes in
many parts of the world that of the blacks
among themselves; yet, with the view of existing the
ignorant, and unnormed they have represented his
vtudc at the verge of human endurance; and paint
ed the supposed cruelty and oppression of the owner in
all the dIstempered colors of fasehood Fanaticsm
'.'rhey have called in religious preudices, panopy,
and even Phrenscs and in many instances
lresty robe for the double purpose of coakng their
black designs, and adding weight to their numerous
schemes.
hcy have organized hundreds of distinct but an xlia
ry societies scattered throughout the free States the
avowed purpose OF combining their energies, ncreas
ing their Numbers, concentrating their plans forming
systematic mode OF operation and reducing them
selves TO perfect state of readiness seize the first
opportunity which holds out the promise of accomplish
| ing their ultimate object.
"Not satisfied with their own mischievous power and
influence, they have imported from abroad one if
more additional instruments for the work of desruction
already uored in the schools ofdaIkness, and fitted for
immediate service-Ihs man, together with their do
mesc allies raverscs country enemies from the
regions OF night ami dims by his presence the pure light
| of morality and virtue.
"They have collected large sums of money and es-
ta6sed extensive for the sole purpose of pub
fishing inccndary papers, for grauous distribution at
the South and in execution of that purpose have bar
tbened our mails and sent out their agents under var
ons guses to scatter the death dealing missiles among
slaves thus exciting in their minds spirit of nsur
bordinahon giving impulse TO insurrectionary move
ments leading directly to disruption ofall the elements
OF society as at present ompromitcd and tending u
matey to involve our happy country in all the peril and
uncertainty of Anarchy and Revolution.
Ihese alarming evils have their source, and receive
their sanction in the Northern States without the limits
of our control and beyond the Jurisdiction Of our Laws
acquiring from that very consideration greater power
to do harm, long the present relation between
these States shall continue TO exist.
The bonds which connect our beloved Common
wealth with her sister States to the North afford every
/
States, for the successful prosecution of their designs
Our Northern brethren cannot hut feel the force and
admit the justice OF this TRUTH and in doing this they
cannot but conccdc that have right ask and re
quire OF them, not boom but sheer ndcd
justice TO suppress this growing evil among themselves
to restrain ehectualIy this sedtous spirit among their
citizens and thus prevent its influence extending To OR
borders and nsidiously working our ruin
While we presume not To dictate the modus ODcr0pJf
which they shall pursue. and simply insist upon the cE
icctuation of the above object would respectfully re-
mind our Northern brethren, that past Experience proves
very clearly the absolute necessity of employing some
other efficient than mere reason or
public opinion, whether presented through the MEDIUM of
the local press attended WITH all the imposing sanctions
OF popular assembly Neither reason, argument nor
popular contempt has ayalcd with the blind mis-
guided FanaticNor is it possble from the nature of
things, that they These means have all been
tried with reference 20 this very subject Of plant and
yet the unparalleled increase Of abolitionsn procaims
their inpotcncy whose moral scnsibities are so
bluued to persist in measure which must eyitably
result IN an ncalcuabe accumulation Of wrctchcdness
To both masters and slaves and contemplate the horrors
OF seryic war; with dcmoniac pleasure laugh reason
and argument and rejoice that they permitted 10 pro
coed ia the work Of destruction with such feeble resist
ancc 10 encounter. Such can only be affected By
the weghty penalties Of aw-ond we are unwilling 10
doubt but that the Legislatures Of those states within
whose limits ntSaycry Societies are located, will
checrfuy make such laws shall be adequate TO the
suppression OF the evil far their constitution
power will extend.
"But while happy to entertain confidence i'm
the wisdom and Justice Of our Northern brethren pru.
dence admonehes that should trust much to
others and permit energies slide into supine
The time may come, and perhaps much sooner
our fellow citizens will find themselves powefess 20 do
good and Judging Of the future progress of Fauat