Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-02-11

IT,
Slaves held property in Virginia when the bill Of
rights and the Constitution both adopted and
the Subjects In part to which the protective principles
of these instruments had reference. But now, said MIR
Co. it gravey contended that instead Of protection and
security to property, these instruments ADM, the
qualified power fits destruction. This, Sir cunao BE-
so it is too absurd for serious refutation do de-
ny, said Mr. Co. that the people, by primary 40, Of
sovereignty, may confer their ordinary legislature the
power Of abclishing slavery in the State; only deny
that the Legislature is clothed with that power
With these 1emarks referring TO what snd on former
OCCASION and TO the able and unanswerabc arguments
of THE Senators Of my State in the other House,
tobear further scnark upon this branch of the sub
Iect.
The honorable gentleman from Massachusetts Isaid
MIR. G, has ininated, not iuma,cd, sig but directly
declared that Ike and these petitioners will regard the
flsal Of this Hssc to receive this petition and ocss
OF like character, violation Of their rights and de-
sructiVe OF their btrtses-as ant-repabceE. Sir lsad
Mr. 60 II the rights and liberties of the people of Mas
sachusetts depend upon their right TO have petitions
ceiped and considered by this dlouse ocoasly seeking
10 snbpert the rights and liberties Of the South by de-
sroyiag their property and exciting by their cenda.
petito1s, Southern slaves to ind rebel
Hon. then indeed sir ought their liberties TO be endan
gered. The liberty OF cioen interfere with the rights
Of others secured by The Constitution and Laws if hey
be SO, ought not only to be abridged bu, entirely erad
lated, dangerous ia thc exlreme But sir, the gen.
tleman must excuse when refuse TO recognise in
them right which il actually subverSive mot in theory
but in practce) of liberies destructive of our
property and our lives.
Mr. G. said be would ask, however, what liberty has
been invaded what right Of these petitioners has been
violated? The right of petition' They have assembled
and pe,itioned without interruption The freedom Of
the press? They have presses in full operation. The
freedom Of debate God knows they haze debated here
and elsewhere with perfect freedom. The next thing
will be- we must abolish slavery, or the liberties of the
Northern people will be endangered. Mr. Speaker, said
Mr. G., indulge the hope that the gentleman himself
and his constituents will think better upon this subject
and come 10 rational conclusions about liberty
It has been said by the honorable gentleman from
Massachusetts, Mr.. Cushing) said Mr. G., that the
sa of this House to receive these petitioners would
give res and efficiency to the efforts of the abotonis,s
and greatly increase their strength. hope not, (said
Mr. CT Bat Il it SO, he had only thing to say
and that was, that he who for such insufficient
would become sbolGonist uboltioniS already
ut Aeat and Gully waits plausible Pretext to throw OFT
lis guise and enter upon his work.
Mr. G. said that there were many remarks of the gen
sman which he orbore to reply TO- although susceptible
very ready answer but would bring his remarks to
ciose He said that he himself had been the object OF
some peculiar atenti0n. from some of this gentle and