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

measures in execution of il.
These societies may compot schemes, and
init acts cyelled against the peace, lives and property
OF the South, aud you cannot cal Tor laws nay, the
States in which they conspre pass laws sup
press uein-but yet, they may pass penal laws pre-
vent them from printing say sir that here is mani
fest Inconsistency. And that IN these ncies
in these unounded pretensons in these disingenuous
allegations of purposes which not shown TO exist,
lind grounds for distressing the sincerity Of gentemcn
IN relation 10 this subject disregard professions,
however ard violent of wish TO protect the
rights of Virginia. when find that those who make them
when called upon 10 det-when their opinions and pro-
positions anaysed-woud leave without any pro-
lection But, sir let us narrow down the question
comparison between the resolution of the majority and the
proposed be substituted for it, The former con-
tains, even according to the gentleman HIMSELF
proper principles so lar as 1T declares that neither
the General nor State Governments have a right TO
interfere with the slave property of the South the
gentleman agrees with it; but he contends that it is
not proper for US to say that the citizens of States
have not right to interfere with Yes sir this is
the question now before the House We have no right
10 tell the citizens of the oding States that
they shall not interfere with property Who is
prepared tosecond the gentleman hereticai
The whole population of the North may enbody them
selves and march to give freedom 10 slaves and
they do not invade our rights Sir is the question of
INVASION OF our rights confined TO the State and Fede-
raj Governmental Is not the constitutional obligation
connected with this subject binding upon the citizens
OF State well as its Government? When you say
the Federal and State Governments cannot interfere with
the property OF the South, do you say ALSO that the
citizens OF the various States Interfere? BY
what metaphysical process has the gentleman arrived
Mt that construction OF the constitutional obligation
of non-nterference, by which he says the State Co
vernments cannot interfere with us; but by which he
tells tho citizens of the non-slave- holding States YOU
anu you, and you may, send among incendiary pub
cationsplace the hands oil our saycs-and YOU
do not invade our rights violate the Constitution a.
True, the gentleman says they shall print. They
may asscnble---embody themselvcs----and take any
measures they please to liberate slaves theyay do
all that they may act with perfect npunity; but the
thunder of the law will be brought bear upon them if
they prntf they declare their intentions through the
medium of their publications. Now sir, ask who will
venture to support these views OF the gentleman Who
VIII say that the citizens of the North not violate the
Constitutional obligation when they interfere with the
slave property ofthe South The only object of the re-
solution OF the majority proposed to be strick ont
was to affirm the trusm that the Northern States and
their citizens had not such right interfere This then
the gentleman denied. He considered that such inter
ference would not be invasion of the rights of the
States, and violation of the obligations the Const;u-
ton.
MIR. GARLAND: do not say So
Mr.. STASARD. In the of heaven then where
are We and how TO understand him Has he
not just denied and if he does not why oppose the
luton? But why said MIR. s., should | aroue fnrtber
upon this point, in face of the fact that while the sole
objection he had urged to the resolution u.s. that il denies
that the citizens OF the other States have right 10 inter-
fere, his own substitute denies that the People of the
other States have such right should not consider
myself justified in OBTAINING the House further upon this
SUBJECT but that l think it due TO the House and the
people, to exhibit In full relief, these glarng nconss-
encles and heresiestIa hey should be enabled TO de-
eide how fer evidence has been furnished the sincerity
and capacity of those who aspire to take the lead unon
this floor Having said thus much in the way of expa-
naon let me make further observation II has lee
my earnest desire-my most anxious wishtha the pro-
cecdngs OF this body should exhibit upon this subject as
much unanlmty possible and guarantee for the
cerity of this declaraton-I refer TO the resolutions
have been reported by the majority. refer those re-
solutlons TO their tone and temper show how far
how much have been influenced by the consde ration
to which have alluded. When my attention was first
called TO this subject, agrecaby to the desire which
have stated to keep it separate distinct from marty
feeling, 1t appeared to necessary and proper flor
well knew that many in this House, who though they
nlsht ourp WI in nI,,to..
with the process OF reasoning by which arrived them
that should present them unaccompaned by any pre-
amble. felt assured that the presentation of nrc-
asie, especially in the existing jealous state Of feeling
of the House, would afford pretext for DESTROYING una
nnlly; and hence avoided offering such a document
10 The reasoning ofwhIch knew might encounter the
honest opposition of members thought that the
best means OF attaining the object | had in view
(unammty) would be the presentation, in firm but
temperate language, of the principles which
ought TO govern action upon this question and
which principles the people had their primary meet
ngs so clearly defined and laid down. With view 10
Tins end sir, were the resolutions of the majority drawn
ana presented, keeping necessarily before minds the
purpose oi nnanimity, and at the time adapting
Them to the taste and sense OF proprietyand to secure
that avoiding the of all exaggerated infiammatorv
and gasconading language-indulging in sentiments of
respect and good feeling towards the people of the North
err ST tes and abiding in single instance TO coa
ton OF the Southern States in connection with This mat
ter Now sir let this spirit (and that it existed among
and has governed the majority, appeal the resou
uonsi be compared with the spirit and feeling manifest
ed in almost every line of the resolutions reported by the
s'"Hci"ah rom hecklchDufg. The preamble, -
what does deal IN but destinations and denuncations
against parties. reaching to the members of Con-
gfess oil the Administration party, who have sought
distinct disclaimer by Congress of the power To
abolish slavery in the District of Columbia and
containing, prove by the records of The House
perverson OF historical truth, and of the most
outrageous hbeS against the principles and sincerity of
the Southern States, when The Missouri Question was i'm
agitation that was ever penned--and charging upon
Members OF Congress, that they have wantonly attempt
ed To obtain from Congress disclaimer of the roht of
egslatng IN relation to slavery in the District OF Co
luuiba But IS not proper 90 into discussion
oil the whole OF this document and have only said as
much as have TO show the spirit in which il was CON
c"ceu as evidence OF the schemes devised Illustrate
or render Poweriess the voice that has come to us from
tie primary meetings Of the people now submit 10 The
ouse whether ley prepared to say that the citizens
OF the Northern States, may form associations of the
klnd IN question, without invading our rights; whether
,nosc INDIVIDUALS may conspire against the peace and
OF he oouthern people, and yetbe beyond tho reach
OF punishment suppression.
MIR GARLASD said do doubt The sincerity of fbe
desire expressed by the gentleman from Richmond for
unanimous action this subject but il appears we
arr 70 nave uhanmiy only on condition that we follow
ms eadadoP his principles and views He desires ms
TO exercise our own judgmcni--and will permit us 10
mink upon TINS subject, provided think with the
Court am under obligation to the gentleman for the
trouble he has taken to show the course taken by some
members fthS House. in order that their constituents
may the shifting and inaneuyring of which he saYs
those members have been guilty Obliged to the zen
leinan Tor The pains he taken 10 enIIyhfen in tbs
respect the people of Mecklcnburg But tell the pcnte
man That The people Of MeckenbGrg as wide awake ne
he Island VIII detect any shifting or mannuyrng in nv
course quickly he do am ready To stand or c
by the vote shall give this occasion am yv;llinv
SIR, TO give an account OF my Stewardship 10 my con
suents, and TO abide by their decision have no.ln
to sustain me IN their good opinion but the proper per-
forfnancc of my duty them as their representa,iv
MeckIenburo a., d..