Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-02-27

the Congress Of The United States does not possess the
power 10 abolish slavery in the District OF Columbia,
uider any possible or conceivable circumstances foF'
although the resolution docs not say so IN SO many wo'ds,
there IS no exception stated. The inhibition must,
therefore, necessarily be taken 10 BIZ absolute anu unfer-
sal Now, sir, suppose that nine-ientiis OF hhetyhe
hud; cdhG Of The suye holders OF The D!s:rct oi 20
luLia We're To petition Congress 10 euancpatc their
slaves and 1t The time to pay for them their lull
vau, suppose Congress were perfectly convinced
tina, il would be proper TO DO so, that the very SALVATION
of the country depended upon the measure; yet tir
hands would be tied -nolhny could be done; and yet the
Constitution coniers upon Congress the power OF e1c''
sive legislation the Dstrict-TIIs would NOT he
cJniscalun. But gentlemen may Object, and say that
Congress does not pssess tic RI h appropriate mo-
ncy Tor purpose. There certainly can be no rea
snate doubt question Upon this subjcct-CongresS
las the power Of exclusive legislation over The DISTRICT
and clearly ncd nta 10 this right Is the hl 10 apP!o
pirate money carry their legislation into elect iias
Congress the RIG Lt to appropriate money 10 eiec'
Court House, in winch their la~s are 10 DC au'n'iSel
or TO pay the master the value Of slave WI" may "
condemned death, and actually eXecutru: ai"S CIT
tamil; llcy have and their right 10 appropriate money
COX the emancipation ot tler saves Is efu"'y
| ;iGl.. 49,. ,.
Il is admitted on all hands, indeed il is asserted IN one
r tho rc.nntons now under discussion, tina! the slave
holding States have full and plcnafy power over ''e
subject of slavery within teir !IinlS 'lrSiHin, t"e"'
had, before she ccdd that part 81 the Disrct ""e. lay
within her limits, the iu!l power Vi emaacIpa'Hs ''T
slaves within that Tertiary, well is ali DINER saFes
within her jurisdiction Wcl--se has surrendered 10
CONGRESS the exclusive jurisdiction that territory
without any reservation upon The SUBJECT oi SAVER
Vruua iIcn has n; retained the right to rmanciPa'c
The slaves of The District and gentleman say Congress
,!oes no, POSSESS he power. Then, ask what has be-
come of it? In VIA. authority is 1t vested: IS 'h'S
!,nportaH power lest, anniated' Perhaps gentlemen
NAV saw il is in the primary assemblies OF The people
By hat act was it transferred irn the Government to
the people in tn, r primary assemblies: When, where,
and how was this act done: If this argument has any
force here, il may be used on universal argument
arairst the cxrrcs. Of all delegated power. 1t is nposs
ble Mr. Speaker, that such anomalous state ol things
can exist in any country where there is regular orgn-
nizrd government Such condition Of things seems 20
me to be almost prcrostcrous.
Mr. Speaker, have already said am no aholonIt
aJhol and dctcst their aims and objects; andl VIII go as
lar as any other gentleman in this House TO protest
Gainst the propricy of all interference on the part OF
Congress- the subject of slavery in The District OF Co.
| lunbia | AIN perfectly entirely satisfied that such
i step will lead directly to the severance Of this Union
| maintain, and shall ever maintain, that the people
Of the holding States have proper right to
petition Congress that subject that it is fragrant
breach of lh to the Southern States; ana hope most
sincerely hope, that Congress will dispose OF all such
petitions, with little ceremony as may be consistent
! with p oper sense Of their dignity.
But Mr. Speaker, with all these sentiments, never
ihceSs could not vote for the adoption OF the resoll-
ton To Which object without al absolute surrender OF
The frnrst convictions Of my Judgment, and at the
time doing the greatest violence I" my own con-
science This cannot do and hope no circumstances
will ever occur, which will tempt me 10 10 SO:
had mach rather BE- peace at home, than 10 have the
empty qualification of voting with the largest nalo'!!y
Mr Speaker caldor conSlranS lie to stat" sentiment
which honestly entertain i'll regard to this painful sub
cct Perhaps, sir, the sentiment may render me oaIous
in the eyes Of some members of this House, though
! fan hope it may net 1t is this: ! one OF those
who think, and have always believed that sla
very great evil great curse, sir, If you
please, TO this country; great evil to the slave
aud yet greater evil to the master. Yet | Confess
how il is possible fer us 10 relieve ourselves
from the calamity. TO emaEc pale them, aud TO give
them equal rights with ourselves, would be TO cXlcrin
na:' the white population. To emanc Fate them. and
t. place them in inferior or degraded condition. would
l place them in lcnuid condition than they
occupy. 1t seems TO me, we have alternative
must submit 10 cur destiny.
Mr.. Speaker all know that wise Providence has
permitted slavery exist, in form other from
the earliest records OF human society. This, confess
has reconccd me, in Sort to that condition OF
| things aud Tor one, am content to wait in patience
until it shall please God, in the goodness OF his Provl.
dcncc, to direct things otherwise.
(Dl6atc to lie c0HtinGcd.)