Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1836-03-24

can be safely placed on the same ground on whieh
il stands in regard 10 the States, viz The want oi
constitutional power in Congress TO interfere in
the matter. | owe il, however, To eandor, to say
to you, that have not been able 10 satisfy myself
HAT the grant to Congress, in the Constitution, OF
the power OF " e1eilsire legislation IN all cases
nLatSoorfr" over the Federal District, does not
confer on that body the same authority over the
subject that would Otherwise have been possessed
by the States Of Mary Wand and Nireinia, that
/ Congress might mol. in virtue thereof, take such
steps upon the subject in this District, as those
States might themselves take within thcr own
limits, and consistently with their rights OF sose-
rcignty.
Thus view nr the matter, would not, Fl ON the
lights now before me, feel my self safe III pronoun-
cling that Congress docs not possess the power OF
interfering with or abolishing slavery in the Dis
trict Of Columbia. But, whilst such are my pre-
sent impressions upon the absrac, question ol the
legal power of Congress-npression which !
shall at all times be- not only ready, but disposed,
to surrender upon conviction oi crroI-l do not
hesitate 10 give il 10 you my deliberate and
well considered opinion that there are objections
10 the exercise of this power against the wishes Of
the save-hodng States, dS Imperative IN Mtr nd-
t.re and obigat,on,, in regulating the conduct Of
public men, as he mast paipabh rant Of oonsti-
tmi0noi ro1rtr m0nd bc.
situation in which have been placed before the pub
lie an4 take it for granted, that il is 10 that cir
cumstanoa, rather than to any other, that | am to
a,cribr the >olicitudc felt by yourselves and your
fellow citizens in respect to my views on this sub
ret | recognise, 10 the fullest extent, the pro-
priofy of tins desire ON Your part and although
there is nothing IN your lrttof making the avowal
necessary, prefer that not only sou, but all the
people Of the United States shall now understand
that the desire Of that portion Of them which IS
favorable to my elevation 10 the Chiet Magstraes,
should be gra,ldrd, must 90 INTO The pfcsldcntl.d
Chair the mile sibIc aud uncompromlslng opponent
of any attempt on the part OF Congress to abolish
SLAYER, N the District of Columbia, against the wish
Is Of the holding STATE, q also with the deter
minatou equally deoded, to resist the slightest in
reference with the subject in the States where it
exists. In saving this, tender neither to them
nor to vou, any pledges, but declare only settled,
opinions and conviction Of duty Those who doubt
that they will he carried into full and fair effect
are under obligations to trust me. An oppor-
tunv is afforded them to exercise their free choice
III the matter and they may be assured, that there
is no one less likely to complain OF It's exercise
than my sill.
The y, cuar i'm poltan,c of the subject, aud a
desire (Which vou VII, allow me TO trrl that my
views o, i, should be correctly understood, make
II proper that should explain the grounds Of ,hr
opluions above expressed. They are founded, a.
mongN others, on the following considerations,
VIZ;
ll. believe, that if bad been forcsccn, n
the time Of the adoption OF the Constitution, that
the seat ol the Federal Government would be fixed
i IN saveholdlug region, and HAT the sub ect of
slavery wond be- there aGitlted to the prrludicc Of
those holding this species OF property, the right 10
do 80, would with tho assent OF the non-,a'rhod
ing States have been made IA exception To the
restricted Legislative power etNen to Congress over
the District to he cedcd.
2dy. cannot bat regard tho agitation Of tins
subject IN The District OF Columbia, surprlzc
upon the people Of Mar, land and Virginia. beng
very confident that II the state of things which
ISIS, had been at all unprecedented by those States.
the ccs>on of the District would not have been
made, except upon the express condition that
Congress should exercise no such power; and that
with such Il condition the ccssou would, in the
then state of public opinion, have been readily
ccptcd.
3lIv. do therefore believe, tht the abolition OF
! slavery in the District ot Columbia, against the
wishes the >laycholding States (a,sumine that
Congress has the power to effect it) would violate
thu spirit OF that compromise of interests which
lies al the basis Of our social compact; and am
thoroughly con> need, that could not be so done
without imminent peril, II not certain dcStruCtion
10 the Union Of the States. viewing the matter
IN this light it is my clvar aud settled opinion, that
the Federal Government ought To abstain from do
my SO, and that il Is the sacred duty of those
whom the people Of the United States entrust with
the control of it, action so to u>r the constitutions
al power with which they invested, to pre-
vent it,
| think il due To the occasion, aud only a sim
pie act OF Justice To my fellow citizens OF the North,
OF all political parties, to add the expression OF my
full belief, that the opinions above expressed ac-
cord in substance with those entertained by lar
ger majority OF the people ot the Notwithstanding
States than has existed in those States a
public question OF equal magnitude. 1t Is also due
10 them 10 say, that their sentiments on this sub
lrct spring out OF considerations Of too high cha
ractcr, ond look 10 consequences of toe solemn an
import, - BE- shaken bv Slight causes. " it'll only
gcncrou, confidence the part OF the South in
their hre thren of the North, and firm determine
tion the part of each To visit with their >cvcrcSl
displcasurc any attempt to connect the subject with
party politics, those sentiments cannot be over
thrown. All further attempts on the part of the
aboition.ts to do 50, will then uul, serve to accu-
mulatc and concentrate public odium ON them
selves. That there are persons al the North Nhc
far from concurrlug IN the prevailing scnti-
mcnt have described, is certainly true; but then
numbers when compared with the rest Of the COM
munitv, arc very inconsdcrablc and itthc con-
prudence, many OF them, have NO doubt, viii Ill