Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-01-07
VIRGINIA LEGISLATURES.
DEFERRED DEB.4rE.-lCoNrlsurD.
Saturday. December 10.

consideration of MIR. Gilmcr's resolution
MIR. DoRMAS said, that having moved the adjourn
ent on former day, might perhaps be supposed that
lie intended to take part in this debae-and he would
now take the opportunity of stating very briefly his
views OF this question to the House. If he had con-
suited his own feelings alone upon this OCCASION admo
nshed as he was by indspositon that his efforts must
DC feeble indeed-he should not say word But
here were other motives which mpecd him to the per-
Torrance of what he considered duty He was in.
duced TO address the House, because the people in that
part of the State from which he came felt a deem and
lively interest in the subject under discussion If
1t is to be understood that there party differences u
on this qncstI9n-that the lines Of party have been
Drawn in thus House, and thnt councils upon
henceforh to be divided he wished be understood
that there were no geographical divisions in the State
tins all important subecor il there were that people
whom he represented did partake them He con
tossed that lie felt surprise and modification at the op-
position winch this resolution had met wiihan oppos
uon whch he had not been prepared TO expect after the
sentiments expressed by the people of this Common.
wealth in their primary assemblies during e twelve
months lie had anticipated that, this question: there
would have been perfect unanimity-that there would
have been struggle who should be foremost in main.
tanning the rights interests of Virginia on subject
OF such momentous import to the State Previous TO
leaving home, the question frequently propounded To-
him. What would Virginia do upon the subject of Abo-
htion His uniform reply was, that he could only say
that he would do all in his power check the zeal OF our
Eastern brethren and possible, prevent them from
gong TOO lar lie did not anticipate that resolution
IKE inns would have been opposed He supposed there
would have been fiery zeal for action and that it would
have become the duty of those who wished the Legsla-
ture TO act wisely and whose situations being less expos
cd to danger, rendered them less liable excitemeno
restrain the mpetuosty of their jealous brethren
But it appears that a resolution of the most peacefnl
quet and respectful character which merely proposed
course for obtaining Information, is upon the hresl.
hold, and opposed with the utmost violence Although
he had been prised at the opposition with which this
motion was met the first day. he had hoped that il
would not be continued lie had ondy trusted that af
ter the holy influence of sleep and iii ught had Gained
Tie minds OF ITS opponents, their opposition its adop
ton would have ceased. He had hoped that after
the many political trumphs which they had achieved
during the present session, they would have given
holiday to those feelings which we're calculated 10 af
feet inuousy henterests of Virginia. and would have
yielded TO this subject that calm deliberate consdra
ton which so much 10 be desired. My venerable
friend from Henry, said Mr.. D. gave some indications
on Thursday of an endeavor to harmonze the scordant
clements which have been set in motion | augured
favorably from that gentlemans peaceful invocation to
all Partles but we have seen Indications since,
which could not be mistaken, that we have nothing to
hope for from that quarter.
Mr.. d. begged TO be informed what it in this re.
solution, that gentlemen could look upon dangerous
to the rights or interests of Virginia. Will they tell
what it is they iear' lie could better plain its
Jecs than by reading the resolution itself (hr d. then
read MIR. Gilmers resolution) What was it. he asked
that this resolution proposed, Simply that the Execu.
tive OF Virginia should open correspondence with the
Executives Of those States in which inccndiary assoca
tons were known 10 exst-and for what purpose: To
ascertain from those missionaries far possible, the
dispositions of the Legislatures of those States up
on this subject, and the probability Of their making
those anatcal associations. Here, then, is simple
ter of inquiry proposed be made through the proper
and constitutional organ, for the purpose of obtaining
such information would enable this Legislature to
act efficiently upon the subject of Abolition Does
ray us against those States Does IT, is suppos
ed by the gentleman from Campbell, involve the pro-
liability OF collision with them, of giving them
offence? lie could not see the possibility of such
result from respectful inquiry TO the which
the Legislatures of those States might be expected to
pursue. The gentleman from Campbell supposed tina,
we should call on the Governor of the State of New
York. lie was one those who would necessarily DO
called uPonand it objection Of the gentleman
from Campbell TO this resolution, that Governor Marcy
would be applied to? We're there any influences
connected with the Executive of New York, which made
this resolution Objectionable to the gentleman from
Campbell, or TO other members of this House Was it
matter of difficulty at this day ascertain in which
States these Associations existed? Certainly not. 1t
matter of such general notoricty that our Govern
or could not err in applying TO the States in which those
associations existed. Would there lie any difficulty in
obtaining from the Governors of those States the nlor
nation we ask, lthad been suggested that il would
DO IN inc power oil The Governors to answer satistactor
| ly; but Mr.. DoTman thought otherwise. Would the
Governor OF Virginia, If applied TO by the Execu-
tive of another State, for information the feelings
| Of Virginia upon this subject, find any difficulty
in returning answer No, sir, he would be per
fecty able TO reply; and il is fair TO presume that
the Governors Of other States well informed
upon the dispositions of their Legislatures and people.
Wo ask our Governor to obtain for information,
which, # the Northern people manifested that DISPOSE
tlon which he, Mr.. d., hoped and in part believed that
they in reality entertained might render action the
part OF Virginia and the South unnecessary. Ii might
prove that such was The disposition of the intelligent
portion OF the North 10 oppose the designs Of the Abo
tionists that there would be necessity for action
part, and it for this that Mr.. d. was SO
earnestly DESTROYS that this resolution should be adopted
Ii il be true has been by the gentleman from
buckingham that the North intend to do all that can be
desirable to Virginia and the South, what have we to
fear from this enquiry The result would be- that we
should obtain the very information which wish, and
the matter would end we desire IT, on the other
hand, il should prove that there is intention the
part Of the North suppress those associations was there
in The State who would peril all in the de-
fence Of our lives, property and institutions
1t was all important that the resolution should be
adopted and equally important that it should be adopted
at early period. Ii had been nma,ed that this in
formation could not be obtained in time be acted upon
MIR ID. denied this During the month Of January, an
swers could be received from all the States giving to
the General Assembly the whole month Of February to
legsate upon IT after IL was received.
IL was difficult TO ascertain the exact grounds upon
which gentlemen placed their opposition to this resolu-
ton or what they proposed TO do, which would better
serve the public interest The gentleman from Buck
ngham says he is opposed to IT, because ne is vOr of
acton but Whit species Of action he is for he has
told u.s. while he IS opposing the only kind Of action
which can be made efficient We TO be dcluded
by these seeming "airs from heaven, when the delay
which he recommends may surround US with " blasts
from hell IL was efficient action which Mr.. D0rnan
dcsrcd-sucb should fully grappe with thc evil and
such as only could be had when Tie extent Of that evil
was known
The gentleman from buckingham has for The purpose
OF sustaining his views, Intmated that there was in
spoken Of tie select committee aud charged with apa
Thy and slugglshness in the performance of its duties
Mr. -. thought that the committee deserving Of
TINS febuke and that IL came with very bad grace from
the gentleman from Buckingham. IT there had been
apathy IN the committee, IN what had il been shown
They had had bnt meeting and IL il was proper
speak Of the proceedings Of that meeting il would be
easy TO show that the charge Of the gentleman
founded. At the breaking up Of the meeting the 0ucs
ton as TO the period 10 which they should dourn