Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-02-02

md carry into effect .heir murderous designs and we
may call the States punish the printed invitation 10
form the conspiracy but not the conspiracy OF eFen 'e
measures in execution of it.
These societies may compot schemes, and even COM
nit acts levecd aganstthe peace, livcs and property
of the South, and you cannot call ior laws nay, Tue
States in which they conrpre cannot pass laws TO sup
press tem-but yet they may pass penal laws to pre-
vent them from printing. say, sir that here IS mani
fest inconsistency And that in these Inconsistencies,
in these unfounded pretensons in these dslngcnuous
allegations of purposes which not shown to exist.
find grounds for dstrus,ing the sincerity Of gentlemen
in relation 10 this subject | disregard professions
however earnest and Violent Of wish TO protect the
rights of Virginia. when find that those who make teIn
when called upon TO cct-wlcn their opinions and pro-
positions are analysrd-w oud leave without any pro-
lection But, sir let us narrow down the question to
comparison between the resolution Of tho majority md the
one proposed to be substituted for it. The former con-
taius, even according to the gentleman himself some
proper principles So far as it declares that neither
the General nor State Governments have right 10
interfere with the slave property OF The South, The
gentleman agrees with il; but he contends, that it Is
not proper for US to say that the citizens OF the STATES
have not right so to interfere with Yes sir this is
the question row before The House. We have no right
tell the citizens Of the nonsiave-holdnS states lhal
they shall not interfere with our property Who is
prepared to second the gentleman hcreca propositions
The whole population of the North may embody them.
selves and march give freedom to our slaves, and
they do not invade rights! Sir, Is The question Of
invasion Of rights confined 10 the stale ana feae
raj Governments? Is not the constitutional obigauoii,
connected with this subject, binding upon the Citizens
Of Suite as we'll as its Government: When you say
the Federal State Governments cannot interfere TN
the property of the South do you not say ALSO that me
citizens of the various States cannot so interfere
what metaphysical process hns the gentleman arrived
at that construction of the constitutional obligation
of non-inlcrercncc, by which he says the State Go
vernmenls cannot interfere with Us; but by which he
tells the citizens of the non-s1aYe-hoding States y",
and you, and you may, send among us ncenoaiy Pu-
cations-pace the hands of our sarrs-and you
do not invade rights violate the Constitution -
True, the gentleman says they shall not print They
may asscnble-cmbody tlcmsclves--and luke any
measures they please libcrac slaves they may do
all that they may act with perfect impunity but the
thunder OF the law will be brought to bear upon them II
they printf they declare their intentions through the
medium Of their publications. Now sir, ask who will
venture to support these viewsoi tic gentleman Who
will say that The citizens Of the North do not violate the
Constitutional obligation when they interfere with the
slave property ofte South The only object Of the
solution Of the njoy now proposed to be stricken out
was affirm the ltuisn that tie Northern States and
their citizens had such right to interfere This, thcn
The gentleman denied. He considered that such inter
ference would no, be invasion Of the rights of the
States and violation of the obi cations of the Constu
ton.
Mr. GARLAND: I do not say so.
Mr. SraSARp. In the name Of heaven, then, where
arc We; and how we 10 understand him: Has he
not lust denied, and he does not why oppose the
.,
upon this point, in face of the fact that while the sole
objection he had urged to the resolution is, that denies
THAT the citizens Of the other States have right 10 inter
ftrr his substitute denies that the Porle Of the
other States have such right should not consider
myself justified ia OBTAINING the House further upon THIS
subject, but that think it due to the House and the
people, exhibit in full relief these glazing inconsis!
ccirs and hercsies-that they should be enabled 10 de-
eide how fur evidence has been furnished OF the sincerity
and capacity of those who aspire to take the lead upon
Ills
nation, let make further observation. II has Leon
my earnes. dcsre-my most anxious wish-that the pro-
cecdngs Of this body should exhibit upon this subject AS
much nnlity possblc and guarantee for the
ccry fthis declaration-l rcr: the resolutions which
have been reported by the rrjory refer to those re
solutions; their tone End temper to show how far
how much, have been influenced by the consideration
to which have alluded. When my attention first
called to this Subject, agrcraby the desire which
have stated TO keep it separate and distinct from party
feeling, it appeared to me necessary and proper or
well knew that many in this House, who, though they
might agree with III the resolutions, would not agree
with the process reasoning by which arrived at them)
that should present them uaaccomPanicd by any pre-
anble. felt assured that the presentation Of pre-.
anble especially in the existing jealous state Of feeling
of the House. would afford preext for destroying una
to the reasoning of which knew might encounter the
honest opposition Of some members thought that tho
best of attaining the object had in view
(unaniIritp) would be the presentation, in firm bu
temperate language, of the principles which
ought to govern action upon this question, nnt
which pIinc pies the people had at their primary meet
inss, so clearly defined and laid down. With view &c
tins end, sir the resolutions OF the majority drawn
and presented, keeping necessarily before our minds The
purpose of Immunity, and at the same time adapting
them 10 the taste and sense oproprety-and to secure
that, avoiding the of all exaggerated intamnlalory
and gasconading language-indulgng in sentiments OIL
respect and good feeling towards the people Of The North
c-n St,tcs, and abiding in single instance 10 coa
ton Of the Southern States in connection with this mat
ter Now, sir let this spirit land that il existed among
and has governed the ina jority, appeal 10 the reso
tions) be compared with the spirit and feeling :est
ed in almost every line OF the resolutions reported by the
gentleman from Mccklcnburg. The preamble, SIT =
what does deal in but insinuaLions and dcnuncations
against parties, reaching TO the members Of Con
ge SO OF the Administration party, who have sought
a distinct disclaimer by Congress OF the power 10
ubolsl slavery in the District of Columbia and
containing as prove by the records Of the House
perversion Of historical truth, and anc OF the most
outrageous bcS against the principles and sincerity Of
tie Southern States, when &c Missouri Question was in
agitation, that was ever pcnncd-and charging upon
Members Of Congress, that they have wauony attempt
ed to obtain from Congress disclaimer of the right oil
rgls!aling in relation 10 slavery in the District oil Co
!uba Bat 1t Is not proper HOW 10 into discussion
Of the whole OF this document; and have only said
much as have, to show the spirit, in which it
cooled. evidence oil the scrneS de YIsed to Illustrate
rndcr p"wcrss the voice that has TO from
the primary meetings Of The people submit 10 the
House whether they are prepared say that the citizens
Of The Northern States, mag form associations Of the
kind i'll question, without invading rights; whether
those individuals may conspre against The peace and
lives Of the Southern people, and ycbc beyond the reach
OF punishment suppression.
Mr. GARLAND said do not doubt the sincerity of the
desire expressed By the gentleman from Richmond fer
unanimous action upon this subject but il appears
10 have unannli,y only condition that we follow
his leaGadopt his principles and views He desires
TO exercise our own judyncnt1nd will permit us to
think upon this subject, provided think with the
Court am under obligation 10 the gentleman for the
trouble he has taken 10 show the taken by
members ofhs House, in order that their constituents
may the shifting and manGuvrng of Which he says
those members have been guilty. obliged to the gcu
t!eman for the pains he has token 10 enlighcn in this
~ Rail Ill, ,,I,