Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-02-25
Twenty-ioursh Consress--ssts, c>s.
IN SENATE-Monday, Jsn IL.
SrEEcH OF MIR. WRIGHT, or NEW York.
OHIO ABOLITION pE,rfrInNA

Mr. Wright said he considered il to be his duty 10
trouble the Senate with very few remarks btre IN.
pending question was put. He did 80 with extreme re-.
uctancc, arising from the deepest conviction TINT this
whoe SUBJECT had better not have been debated at ALL
that these petitions had better have been suffered 10 take
their usual course the they had TAX en- every
when he had been IA member Of either house of ON
gress Tie course OF other petitions being permitted
10 be read at the Clerk table, and referred 10 the npro
PIRATE committee. His reluctance was greatly and nr
haPs ne say principally, increased by the
that the whole subject was surrounded viii d;a
cunes; mat IL was excitnbe in every aspect that the
different sections of the Union were liable 10 diff rent
affections from the expression of the same sentiment:
reinark, might fall from him. which, uninrntionnuv ON
his part might increase, rather alay excitement in
the one portion the other of the country
Yet he ielt that he should not dschorp the dptv in
cunDent upon him, properly represent his constu-
ents IT he permitted this question be decided jthopt
saying any thing Had he been able otherwise To- con
tent himself to give silent vote, he could not do so
now since the extracts read by the honorable Senator
from Virginia, Nlr Leigh,) from the late publication of
te hev Dr. Channing a book he had ever seen and
of the contents of which he was wholly ignorant onv
farther than the very limited quotations of that honora
Die Senator had made him acquainted with them, He
was PREPARED however from those extracts alone "a saw
that however distinguished pure however pious
and however we'll intended the author of that work mich,
he, in issuing 10 the public such book he had shown
himself as Ignorant of the opinions and feelings Of the
great mass of the citizens of the holding STATES
as he had, in the quotations made of the merits and
virtues OF The people of the South. He MIR W y was
ready 10 pronounce in his place that the publication in
the spirit in which it seemed TO be written as grossly
abused the Northern feeling as its language did the
Southern mol ais.
When such representations of the sentiment of the
North come from such sources. 1t incumbent upon
MN TO convince the Senator from Virginia. the senate
ana the public, that belief in them the sentiments of
the non holding States would be doing violent in
justice to those Staes and the patriotism and opinions
of their citizens.
Mr. w said he was not to discuss the subject of lave
ry IN the abstract He knew it, and the people of the
North, as body, knew it only it existed under the
Constitution of the United States and wns sanctioned
byit They thought of il in that light and i'm that lt
only far its existence in hes States is concerned
ana so Jar MS the quiet OF the ny and the preserva
ton fthe Union invo ed any agitation OF the sub
lect In that sense, it question for discussion
in that body.
Neither (said Mr.. W. was he t. debate the question
OF slavery in the sovereign States of this Union The
sacred and invaluable compact VIII c constitutes us one
people had not given to Congress the jurisdiction over
that question II left solely az xclusiyeIv IN h
States, and in his humble Judgment it ought never obe
debated here in amy manner whatever.
Mr. W. SAID he would go farthe: and say that he did
not purpose to trouble the Senate it'll discussion unon
the proprey of any action tn part of Compress in
reference TO the abolition of slavery in the District of
Columbia or IN regard to the constitutional power of
Congress over mat SUBJECT He IL ID listened with plea
sure and profit the able argum mt of tho honorable
Senator from Virginia. MIR. Leigh upon the powers nf
Congress, and had marked his concessions Of nowar
equal TO that by the Leg stature of the
tive States of Maryland and Virginia over the same sun
ject within those States. He had studied the oues
tlon himself because lie able mark out his ovn
COURSE with perfect satisfaction his own mind with
out examining either the consr iona powers OF Com
flo
was ready to declare his opinion be- that CONGRESS
ought not TO act in this matter bun upon the mnuse NJ
the two States surrounding the istrcl, and then in
precisely graduated by the action of those ,t
upon the subject. Had the Constitution in terms
given TO Congress all power in tie matter this would
with his present views and feelings be his opinion Of
the eXpedient rule of action and nertannp This oni
mon. examination into the powe to act had been nm
necessary determine his upoi the PRAYER of these
petitions lie was ready promptly TO reject their pray.
e and he deeply regretted that he was not permitted NO
TO vote without debate.
The refusal to receive the petitions Mr. w said. wa.
to his mind, very different question That was The
question now presented If the ref sal sbonH h. e
toned by the Senate upon the broad ground of Inc nb
ec prayed for, and not upon the di objection of in
fecOrous language of matter in tlie petition iiser
would be considered and felt. in many sections of line
country, denial of the constt iona rirht TO nr,i
ton, and such, would be infinitely more calculated To-
produce and increase, than allay excitement 'rh.
prompt rejection of the prayer OF thes. petions oold
the of the Senate in the most marked and
decisive manner against the objects of the petitioners
The refusal TO the petitions would ais, new is
sue, infinitely more favorable, he deeply feared Il, the.
schemes of these mad incendaries than all which had
gone before this proposed step.
He entreated, he said, his brethren of the Sontb q,
reflect before they gave this immense advantage To The
agators. He that the Southern feeling must
be sensitive perhaps beyond his ability n estimate o,
this subject of domestic slavery. The constitn,innal
rights the personal and private interests the domestic
peace and domestic security Of the people of the slave
holding Suites, compelled them f I'll deeply and keen
y upon every agitation of this delicate question lie
could not be Dsensble TO the existence these eNnos
or to their justice. Yet might he appeal TO u,r,-
bers OF this body from those States and ask them m re-
member that excitement growing of the same suL;,et
also prevailingI the holding States? That
the public mind in those States had become aroused l.,
the subject That limited number OF indiyiduas r,o.
what motives he would attempt TO " were k;n,
ii their calling and business TO increase thai settlement,
and to make universal. And might he not claim tLa,
the action Of t'e Senate should be such as would most
likely TO caln the excitement in all tile States and in
every section Of the Union?
What, them Mr. w. asked was The action most likely
tO produce this result, result he must believe ,uo.t
highly desired by every member OF the senate 70
answer Tins inquiry he must detain the Senate with
short examination OF the true of public opnion ia
the slave holding States in relation TO the rnoyp
mcns OF the abOlltiOnsts, manifested and publisb,d
90 the world since the last adjournment Uf COnpress
lie should cOnhne his statements upon this point Ia
the STATE which he had the honor part 20 represent
here because his information in reference to that nor
because lac satisfied that the general feeling OF f,
citizens OF his State, upon this point was equally line
general feeling OF oil the MISUNDERSTANDING Slates
He would then shy, that he did not know of n single
meeting oil citizens n his State convened for the par
pose oi considering the civil and political condition ~
the country, during the whole sumniernnd autumn now
last past, 81 whatever political party the meeting might
be- single instance to which he should have OCCASION
hereafter u refer being alone excepted which had not
made the most distinct and firm expressions against The
efforts Of these agitatOs Ia addition 10 this evidence
Of the almost entfe feeling Of the citizens Of the State
obtained from these ordinary assembagcs Of citizens he
need only remind the Senate, to BRING the fact % the
distinct recollection of every member Of the body that
Immense public meetings composed Of men Of all grades
Of talent and influence, Of ali parties in politics and Of
all secis 10 religion had been held in almost every mo-
pulous town IN New York, for the express purpose of
giving 90 the country, aud especially their brethren
OF tie SOUTH the public sentiment and public reproba-
80 NN IL