Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-01-19
VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.
HOUSE OF QEhssA tFs.
Tuesday. Dec. %.
ABCyfTIOS RspopTa

Mr. BOOKER saae 1t was not his purpose to 90 into
discussion of tins subject. The sole object he had in
view WIS 10 attempt correction of some msapnreben.
slons OF the course he had pursued and some remarks
which had fallen from him during this debate, The
gentleman from Albemarle had said that he Mr. b. had
expressed doubt to the power of Congress to eman-
cpate the slaves in the District Of Columbia Sir
pressed no such doubt in the House. conversation of
the sort held in the committee my instance-the
Constitution of the United States was read and then
did say that my mind was unsettled upon the subject;
and also stated that mentioned tin the committee that
it might be the subject Of conversation, desired 10
hear the opinions Of others upon it, The gentleman has
also suid stated tina. there fanatics in Bucknp.
ham.
Mr. GrLMER. The gentleman Inexperienced me
My statement was that he had said that there were a
natcs in Virginia.
Mr. Booker. I did mistake re,ttleman said
there were fanatics in thsSou,h. and if did not saw
I'st mere were in Virginia. it was not because
aiu not p s have been said to act with incon-
IT,. for delay, and then urging on the
80. 5eeAS!Il Hotspur misunderstanding the bit Tor &c
;. What the facts At late hour in~the even
Sexg, when the House fatgued with the previous
proceedings, in the absence of the chairman OF the
mittec-although did not know he then. absent
this resolution introduced And there seemed to be
determination the part of its friends that should
not have until the next day, to reflect upon It, Alter 1t
had been once laid upon the table, motion was again
made in five minutes to take it up. Having wished a
delay in the first place, it natural that should OPP
pose that motion had never seen the resolution be-
fore, and scarcely comprehended its import, and could
formed consequences.
there then my thing censurable in wishing delay
of it for twentyfour hours distinctly avowed TO the
House, for the purpose Of considering the probable
results Of its adoption? When came to the House
the next day, said distinctly, that there
ciaons of Northern fanatics, which ought TO he put
down. and that after had set household right,
it would become our duty respectfully to request oCr
brethren of the North to suppress those associations
SEQ no Hotspur violence in this had decided upon
distinct mode by which this object should be attained
believed it necessary TO cgslate in the Southern
States against these associations at the North So far
as the Governor recommended that should Feeuest
the Northern States suppress them agreed with him.
but when he sud ought to demand OF them egsla-
tive action upon this subject did not agree with him.
thought that the patriotic citizens Of the North who
had displayed such strong attachment lothe Union, &C.
served courteous treatment from u.s. and thought
the word request would have been much more proper
than tie word a7nund. was ready tor sction when
the necessary information was ripe. And II gentle
men can find in my request for delay in order to cons
der this resolution when first introduced, any indication
of disposition to avoid action this subject, they
ere welcome fava, themselves OF every advantage
which they cao derive from it, On every occasion
when have pied the floor, have in the most EN-.
phatc declared that would not lend myself to
party influence this question. have said, that was
immoveaby determined TO the negro property OF
this State az all hazards and that would not YIELD
any party consideration, title of wha, deemed ne
cessary to obtain that object While other gentlcme
have disceilned such influence, my Disclaimers have
not been Needed and they have been needed
if had touched upon questions which had the eteo to
awaken party feelings in the House, But have not
done So and those who have accused ME Of have mis-.
conceived both my intentions and my meaning. I-dis-
regard the long speeches which have heard in this de-
bate and if desired will help to give them currency in
my county. j do not fear their effects upon me, do
wish 10 prevent my constituents from hearing oil that
lis said against When sir, am no! delegate of
the people, and when do not represent their views upon
this floor, shall prefer my home and my irc.sidc.
know that am weak and feeble man-but as the CAB.
bling geese fold reused the strong men to stand
TO Their arms when the enemy and uEusrsavsd
the Capitol from vioa.ionifI shall have reused those
who are stronger un myseto action on this important
subject shall have done service TO my country.
Mr. AUSTIN said that this question presented in
such an attitude that he did not think he could give
thai of vote upon it that he could have wished
The motion before the House was TO refer this
solution to the Committee 1t his desire that that
motion should have been withdrawn, and the vote taken
directly for or against the resolution But That de-
sire could not be gratitied, he should move the ndc
mite postponement Of the subject 1t not his de-
sign in making this motion prevent discussion the
merits OF the question: but 10 place it in situation in
which members could vote for or against the PROPOSE
ton lie would give short statement of the reasons
WHY he thought that this resolution ought 70 he put
down When the fanatics first came out lus.
with their gins and practices against our lives aud
property what did TIE Southern people do? They
semblies and passed resolutions Throughout. the
try denouncng these ncendarles and their designs.
Did you then.fnd immediate legislation necessary for
their suppression? No, sir; because the public OPT
Mon ultimately put u1et ooWu. II So "Haeesof WIS TIE
excitement of the people during that period Of agi
taton the sentiment in favor of immediate Legislation
had subsidized before the meeting Of the General Assem-
sby, because it longer necessary-the Northern
people themselves, having suppressed the agtaors and
crushed their mschievous works. If to be in favor of
Abolition is to be fanatic, there upon this
floor three years ago. There was here from Buck
ingham; and Mr.. A. could tell the gentleman from AL.
,bemare that there also from that county, He
could also inform the gentleman from Rockbrdge that
his county represented by Abotionis on that &C.
casion In what position, The gentlemen themselves
then stood upon that subject: did not pretend know
WE'LL sir did you find necessity then to egslate for
the suppression of Abolition No. sir the people took
the matter into their hands, and at the baot.boxes
most efectually put them down. So it was last
year-the people of the South acted with spirit and
unenimity, and the Northern people suppressed the
fanatics What did they do with their Societies:
They were dispersed by moIs. What did they do with
Garrison and fhompson?-They put a rope round the
neck of one, and dragged him through the streets, and
The other was forced the water to his
ty And asked to raise this whirlwnd again
If do, who is to direct the storm? We asked to
agta,a question anew which has been already settled
and by the renewal of which, great injury will proba
bly, be produced. We asked TO open a correspond
ence-to appoint plen poentiary to negotiate with
sister States this subject Well sir suppose you
Rsead receive from the Northern States declarations
that they would not take for the suppression of
the Abolitionists: What would you then do: WHY YOU
would make laws within your own limits AGAINST jfana
sics foreign domestic. You can do no more-von
have not the power The committee has the sphjsc, !
upaer consideration, and will recommend some proner
measures The people DO not wish you to egslate for
the North but they wish you make laws against the
fanatics Southern or Northern, who may eneavor 10 in.
tesfere with their slaves
But suppose YOU obtain information that the Northern
States will egislae on this subec-suppose your envoy
is informed that they will comply With your wishes