Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-02-27
VIRGINIA LEGsasgAFUEggl.
DEFERRED DEB.9TE.-[CoSrlNUED.I
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.-Saiur jan l6
t ABOLITION RESOLUTIONS.

Inn
ABOLITION RESOLUTIONS.
MIR. GRIeos said MIR. Speaker-'rhe gentleman yvIo
has just taken his seat Nr Danie has thought fit to
call the attention of the House which was taken
few days ago. upon of the resolutions of the select
committeeman resolution which declares that the Con
gress of the United States has power to
abolish slavery in The District oil Columbia
regret that any aIlusion should have been made TO
that subject IL certainly at all necessary for any
purpose of that gentleman argument; nor, indeed to
illustrate any position he attempted maintain.
1t is known To at least OF the members of this
House, that my IS recorded in the list OF those who
voted in vccy small minority on that question and I
placed for the first time since that vote was
taken, under sort OF necessity of saying few words
an its vindicaton. have intention Mr. Speaker of
entering into any discussion OF the general merits of the
resolutions have appetite for public speaking; nor
have the talents To iake il proper me TO thrust nv.
self in the ranks of those who have discussed this subject
with SO much ability ON both sides shall merely ATTEMPT
TO state, in us blei possibly cam some Of
The reasons which constrained to vote against the
solution in question will, however sir make use of
this occasion to say, that whole, prefer the reslu
tons reported by the select contee to those offered
by the gentleman from Goocband their substitute
because the resolutions OF the c0Hmitiee IN NV Ddg
nent, assert our opinions with ceaness and pre-
cson, and demand iat Justice which we have r0ht In
ask and claim al our sister States with more rness and
energy And whilst ct the resolutions OF the select
committee maintains prime pie which, in my conscience
cannot approve for the correalive resolution in
the series OF resolutions offered by the gentleman from
Goochland asserts the prncplc and xpressed
an still stronger ana "a odious form. For whilst
the resolution OF the select committee asserts tbnt Com
gress has constitutional power abolish slavery i'm
the District OF Coumbia-that which is offered as a
substitute, declares that any attempt the part of Con.
gress to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia
would be violation OF the Constitdon-any attempt
however abnrve, however it might drop still born from
the hands OF those who mediated the mischief
faSht be INSTANTLY abandoned This position
cannot be maintained The thing is impossible unless
Indeed there be some course of reasoning which can
prove that attempt violate the Constitution is
an actual breach of that instrument or that every effort
accomplishes its object
Mr. Speaker, the Constitution Of the United States
has conferred upon Congress the power of exclusive le
gsiation over the District of Columbia And the Arti-
cles OF Cession made by Virginia aud Maryland of the
ten miles square vests in Congress the exclusive urs-
dcton the coded territory with single proviso
and excepuon-that s that the Of The land should
sui have and retain the right of property in the SOIL
thus jnhbiling Congr from taking the land scep as
purchaser This, / say, is the only excep lon or re-
seryaton made in the Articles of Cesson according TO
the planest rules Of grammatical constructions And tits
well-esabshed principle ia ali cgai constructions that
an All grants one or more exceptions reservations
are made, in eongaton of the general objects of the
grant, 1t shall be aken that other reservation
cePuon was intended. AND surely this principle is
founded on tie painest principles of common sense
and will challenge universal assent Then, there
rs no limitation to the powers of Congress over the
CossloD Mr. Speaker. care not which of tine phrases
we may use, :. exclusive legislation "cxclusive
jurisdiction They appear to me TO be equivalent ex-
PressOns. But az the phrase exclusive legislation is
The phrase OF the Constitution let that and will
now ask any gentleman IN this House, ii he construct
phrase IN the English language Which better con.
vey the idea Ol sovereign power. confess cannot -
Exclusive legislation must be paramount legislation
must extend to all persons and all things If IL does
not, must he Imperfect, subordinate II il be excu
slve, must be perfect, complete The phrase itself is
SO strong and full o meaning that it il can.
not be infused In 10Y Judgment theU the Constitution
has conferred upon Congress the full power of povern
ment over the District of Columbia would then ask
can any mau conceive the idea OF government with
out assoclatng with 1t the notion OF sovereign power
10 speak OF such thing would be abuse OF language
confusion of thought. The thing would not be intel.
igble You might well talk about IA Judge without
jurisdiction,
in some sort IL IS admitted that Congress has the pow
or OF enaeDg code Of penal laws Tor the District and
that II may inict the penalty of death upon those who
may violate those laws IL may shed human blood
take human life, wich is the highest exercise of sOye-
Segn power upon earth. IL do all this aud yet
graVsy conlehded, That TINS Congress docs not
possess tie power Of disturbing the delicate relations
subssiing between muster and II be were
strange indeed.
admit, Mr. Speaker, most cheerfuly admit that all
Legislation Of Congress the District well as over
all other subjects. must be- under the control aud ita-
tons OF the Consultation But challenge any gentle
man IN tgs House To sew me that clause OF tie Const
futlOn, (which restricts power of Congress- over the
subject OF slavery IA the District Of Columbia tie
slghtes; degree derogaes iro the scope or extent Of
that power which IS expressly conferred upon them by
the grant Of eJeiuSjoe tgisatiOn boldly airn there
10 none VIII any gentleman refer me to that clause
which declares that Congress shall not take private pro-
perry Tor PHbtic ascs without just compensation lie
who relies upon That clause, in my judgment absolutely
saFreDders tbe question For who is there that cannot
at once perceive the manifest difference between t,c
emancipation Of slaves, and e taking private property
100 PDtc Hses, without just compensaton2 But sup
pose Congress 10 pay their value thcr masters
In that event, is there upon earth who could
entertain doubt for "a single moment
The gentleman from Richmond City, day or two
ago and Just the about 10 De taken on this
resolution addressed 70 Use House short argueu but
1t was powcrfm argument lie stated that slaves Tie
District Of Columbia, much property any other
goods and chatteis and asked with tie greatest oppa
tentconhdence Of negative answer, whether Congress
could conh5cate ocr property? Sir, we will all answer
thatquestiou in tie negative And yet IL not easy to
perceive ihe diacrnce between lhe emancipation of
slaves, which may be- act Of strict justice and Of the
most imperiope ucccssty, and tsc coHfsc lion
Of property?
I will not stop here. Mr. speakor, 20 enquire whether
there be any difference between slaves Oatnan Acnps1
as properly and any other goods aud chaels Nor Viii
enquire iuio that grave question, whether any indyi
dual in society has any right 10 bold species OF pro.
perry, which from ITS very nature, may be calculated to
destroy the happiness add security Of his neighbour and
finally 10 sap and ogeun Che very foundations society
say VIII not inquire into these subiecs-no sir not
here ~ elsewhere, now hcreaaer-l am no abolition.
stI dctest and obhor al their schemes. Mr. Speaker
let the gentleman from Richmond city ecoect that the
resolution 70 which object maintains the position that