Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-09-11
PUBLIC MEETING

At an adjourned meeting of the citizens of .augusta
August, 1885, Gen. Briscoe CT. Baldwin Chairman of
the former Meeting, being absent, motion of John
H. Peyton, Esq, Col Joseph Brown called the
chair
David w. Patterson, Esq (the Chairman) being alb
sent from the county, VIM. Kinney, Jr, Esq, from the
Committee appointed TO draft preamble and resolu-
TONS made the following report, which unanimous
ly adopted:
The people ofAugusta county, having witnessed with
eqnsI surprise and regret the which has lately
been pursued by portion Of the citizens the North
ern States who under the imposing guse of Philantro
Ply, have adopted measures calculated to excite servle
Instruction, 10 Interrupt the peace security of the
Southern States to undermine the Constitution and to
sever the union of the States have deemed il duty
which they owed to themselves their brethren of the
South, and TO the Union at large assemble together
and declare their deliberate opinions upon this subject
and their fixed determination to maintain them.
The institution of slavery in the Southern States s
the offspring of the policy of Great Britain whilst they
were IN the condition of Colonial dependents 1t has been
transmitted from generation TO generation until in
heIited il from fathers. We have had no agency i'm
creating IT. and have not the power without endanger-
ing the safety and happiness of society OF Kidding
selves Of 81 II we were so disposed Whether we should
make the attempt or not, is question which we shall
not, at this time, undertake discuss We regard the
institution ITSELF and every thing that appertains to H.
domestic in its character claim for the slave
holding States the entire and exclusive control over IL
We regard them the only proper Judges of all mea-
sures tending to effect it, and of the time when and the
mode in which such should be carried into eff
feet.
The Constitution of the United States has ruarantoed
TO us the rights OF property and has recognized the in
situtlon OF slavery in the appotonment of the repre-
senton of the several States in the Congress of The
United States. We feel therefore, that we are doubly
fortified, by justice, and constitutional limitation in re-
sstng all foreign cxtraneous with orr
domestic institutions; and do now most solemnIv de-
clare that shall look upon every interference of that
kind as indicating disregard ofour constitutional rights
and OF our peace and happiness which we never can
submit We far from entertaining the opinion that
the more enlightened portion of Northern brethren
are prepared to commit such aggression upon our
rights and interests On the contrary we hail with plea
sure the proceedings OF numerous meetings Of the people
OF the North as manesiinga liberal disposition towards
u.s. and determination TO circumference the diaboca
schemes of their fellow citizens To that portion of our
brethren now appeal Whilst the danger is compa-
ativcly at distance, them of the congcouen-
ees which must result from the abors Of the incendia
RES We call upon them not merely resotpe but to act
We impore them by the ties Of kindred by the hallow
ed recollection of revolutionary dangers and
trials by their attachment TO glorious Union by their
feelings Of humanity and by their regard for the condi-
ton OF the slave population itself with energy and
promPincss IN arresng the progress Of that wild spirit
Of fsnaicisn which has stolen the cloak of humanity 10
cover us purposes ofrapne and slaughter We call upon
lhrh through their respective Legislatures to impose
such penalties may be sufficient suppress the publ-
cation and circulation Of sedous and ncendary papers
In the spirit Of friendship them that Soma
efficient means adopted 10 accomplish this purnoqe
dsuniUn and bloodshcd must be the consequence The
people Of the South will be forced their natu-
raj rights and dearly they prize the nestimabe blcs-
sings -four Union they viii ultimately be driven in self
defence to dissolve all ties social commercial and po-
ltca with those States whose citizens suffered with
mpuny, to instigate the midnight assassin the per-
pctraton Of his hcsh deeds aud the discovered rag
nents Of our happy Union will be the of
tnual and civil commissions The chains Of
Slavery viii be more closely riyetodthe conforis of
that unfortunate class of our population viii be abrdged
and their condition in every respect must be rendered
dcplorabe.
Entertaining these opinions this meeting doth there.
fore, resolve
ls That the institution Of Slavery as it exists in
the Southern states, exclusively domestic in its char
acter- and the sole right Of modifying aboshing il
belongs 10 the several States, ia which it existsand
every attempt by the citizens Legislatures Of any
State by the Congress of the United States TO in
erfere with the subject in any other State, should be
looked upon unconditional invasion Of the rights
Of such State.
g Resoircd That IL is Of the last Importance 70 the
welfare Of The South, that she discard from her councils
every thing like pary feeling this momentous ques-
ton-and, Influenced by the single determination OF
maintaining her rights against foreign sggressioR that