Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-09-08
D9ys s1sVEC.
TIE ABOLITION QUESTION.
Mr. OTIS CpEEf.IT
Az rMn Mknrlxa Ar FANrrlL HAI1. Bosrn.

a
wears to address fall assembly OF my fellow.
that do not feel confidence that my voice and physca
strength VIII enable me TO make myself heard aud under
stood as may have done in the brighter and better sea
son OF my life And though it is not my intention to
tax your patience, feel that shall stand in need of all
The indulgence which have been plrased 10 extend
10 me before time and affection had pressed upon me
with their heavy hands IL the same time crafty
ing Snd encouraging to know, that the ample justice
mas becn done tn the subject which convened
by the eoauencc and talents OF those who have preceded
me Justice SO ample, that should attempt fol.
low them, bat for the purpose OF re- cening pledge
acted oy some Of my partial friends that would this
occasions (protaby for the last time declare i'm this
Puoc aeinolage my sentiments upon the which
are passing around us II were called upon 10
eet The most noinentous occasion which the people
oil Tins country had been convened in their prirI
~ assemblies my own judgment would point the
when they met To decide upon tie plon Of the Fee
deTal Constitution. There are few, am confident
among those present who can recocc that period nd
the intense anxiety which then pcrvadcd every bosom
me result oil those deliberations has fully justified that
universal sensbity The national prosperity has far cx
re'ded NE most sanSuine Gale uations of the of those
times. Yet more inoncutous will have arrived, if
we mngine state of public affairs, when the people
snail meet in their primary assemblies TO discuss tire
pedehcy Oh resembling the Federal Compact Had this
compact been at first rejected by the people il would
have been indeed calantous sSull frame Of
government oil sort would have been
OF winch Union would have been the basis The tratrr
nal syinpalhes, the recOcctions of common dangers
and sui!crings and uumphs were still alive and
Inc great fundamental axiom, nited slund e
vided we fall adopted in every mans creed
and would have insured the preservation of a federal
ence oil national prosperity which is without paal-
lei, aud almost without neasure-aiter realizing eve
ny Politlc and social blessing that could be wished
and more than could be expected, consistently with the
impcrecton of all human institutions the North and
inc south should be destined To separate through the
mere wahtohness OF prosperity, from the ncompauhty
OF temper ana family quarrcs, the divorce will be
nal Fraierna rancor, more bitter and indispensable
than that OF national enemies will suppant the Influence
OF mutual good Will The temple OF liberty would first
be rent in twain. What and how many uncqnal and
misshapen forms the parts would afterwards assume no
NINA f.y IL, 80
dIsJontcd conrderacies would compel US 10 reuounce
the hope Of seeing rebuilt upon It's and twenty
pillars, polished after the simi.tude of palace
Now, Sir, 1t II were the object OF meeting here
TO debate the cxpcdrncy Of tAkng measures for the
abolition OF slavery, should regard identical with
e question "i the eNpediency of dssolvng the Union
am sure 1t would be considered by the Southern
States. My conviction results from iurty wears ac.
quuintance with prominent individuals of those States
VI ali parca, and III ali the vcissudcs of party Be
assured that whenever that question shall be agated in
our puhic assemblies, under circumstances which
should Indicate the Flevaio ncc or the probability OF
general sentiment IN the Tree States in favor of
acting upon that subject tine Union will be at an end
They would regard all rIanating from such
sentiment as war IN disguise upon their lives heiI
properly, their rights and institutions an outrage upon
t'cif pFidc a"d hHnoT and tile faith OF contracts--
hcnacIhg TIE purity OF their women, the safety OF
their chIidren, the comfort Of their homes and their
heGrtls, and ia WORD, all that man holds dear In
these opinions they might be mistaken but in snnnort c
urin thry would exhibit spectacle of unanimny un
pariIeled among mumcrousa population upon amy sub
Ject al any time, IN any part OF the world These opn
redltary, and habitual from infancy 10 ane Tic cit-
zens OF those States have Tor meetings to
compare sentiments, for speeches stimulate TO action
of plans 10 arrange and organize of opposition
Ihey would be ready in the supposed for q levy en-
m0SSeI universe! Landsturmto seize and use for life
ana of Death Whatever arms their npassi0ned resent
nirnt could furnish 10 resist every approach to
ehce with their domestic relations. Meetings indeed
they have already begun call-but they are like te
meetings OF cl uds charged with the same fiery material
the occasional flashes OF which only to show the
stores OF hidden thunder which in reserve.
Sir, happily for county, there disposition in
Inc people OF tins community nor, believe, OF any
our cilses or towns to public discussion of a
question pFcgnunt with these fatal consequences But
inc time has arrived which makes II the part of wisdom
and safety to look ut this question in the distance and
ioesaI ITS approacltO satisfy ourselves others that
1t ought to be entertained exccu in the
and expression of individual Judgment and opinonond
that every EFFORT intended propagate general scnt
favorable to the immediate abolition of siarr,, -
OIL ioEbidding aspect aud ruInOus tendency.
III mas OF late Lccome certain though not yet peraug
generally known that has been formed in
ncghbYrng State for the avowcd purpose of cf;ctino
the 'HmediGte aOoition c( Sar~y Their number is AZ
present comparatively small and insignificant but as
lhry boast, Augmented Within the last year Their printed
constitution aud proceedings, by me ONLY within
lew days, frankly deveiope their desire establish aux
mary societies in every State and municipality and to
enlist in the of the CAUSE man v,o,,n 80
enid Tins SIMPLE statement shows 1t 10 be a danverous
location very rapid exposition OF the tendency of
heT principles wall prove them to be not only
~ dangerous but hostile to the spirit and !ctter of be
Constitution ofthe Union / will in order 10 naLr The
apparent, call the recollection OF NV Gow-citzcns to
inc history Oi Tie Constitution and to the Constitution
sei-Hnd compare tie doctrines Of tie Constitution with
The canoEs OF the aptslavery association and de,non
stfate that II tie latter be yet an unlawful ,ssoria
lion, ("hch some sound jurists think il ISL il is i'm fair
way To become 50, by It's design trench upon the pro.
VISIONS oil Tie Constitution by overt acts aud its tendency
To break down the sacred Palladium
II Is well known doubt moi u, AL q 30 sear mo lilo,
PRIOR 10 our Revolution the American Colonies were tn
All ncnis and purposes hide pendent Of ch other Tbcy
all owed common allegiance the mother country
10 mat only la every other political relation they stood
10 each DINER as distinct and sovereign States and they
were IN TACT cEfcly discOnneGed in the departments Of
cir cFl administrations. Indeed, the peoplc Of the
SCUM ana OF ING North knew Little OF each other
than That they had descended from common anc esrv
had different habits and pursuits and that the
81 the son was carried ~ the Mouth pnciunllv by
Ehl'c labor, and IN the South entirely by t,1t ri
slaves Now what first led 90 a better ac0uniutanrrs
NHAt but m1gnuri.n0us sympathy of tlip South in
feelings excited ~ The North by The oppression Of the
parent country When soil was invaded and this
part OF tie country The scat of war we were food
anu eager enough TO invite them come TO our aid IN
make "ih us commOn cause I need not say li,,v
promptly ucy accepted the invitation nor how etrdally
hey assisted our fathers in tine cabinet and how nohf
IN r heidi but pass 81 the pooh Of the Grsl con
federation By this time the DELEGATES ia, ('oo,,s.
each other, and with the respective circumstance az
thc people OBJ ihe different sections OF the Union --
ne SUBJECT q" slavery and tJ claims Of the ptoyrie
tors over their slaves, must have bccu be- fore tric aud
considered with great dclibsraton We find provision
81 h' MHcesi0r appofOntur The troops 81 be- raised fy
th" puuhc service, agOug the free white inbabt,ts o
uc several states according TO their numbers Iu ,bs
aiucie We clam Of the South 30 consider tpif ss vc
az cyPhers o. noGcttltes is acquiesced u and con.
nfmeu Oy the North Hero was surprise, no ipeup.
d,EShndng, no concealment Of facts or Of claims -
OPon he iH'h o. ,s coni' Iteration tie South continued
nj HH NJ L.