Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-04-19
POLITICAL.

Mr.. VAN BURENs clear, statesmanlIke and
letter, the subject of Abolition the District of Co.
lumba, aud the rights of the slave-holding States
generally, is fully before the Southern People
One would think that doctrines broadly affirmed and
pledges distinct and unqualified, could easily be
misrepresenled by the most peryerse ingenuity OF po-
lticalinustce But already wo have seen naris oc liz
argument separated violently from the context aud ex-
hibed true versions of the whole. Detached phrases
which, where they stand truly in the letter merely
descriptions ofan existing case, against which the whole
ann OF the letter is to array every moral and public and
patriotic principle, produced, though Mr. VAN
buren, had no other meaning thano insist upen the
iacts which he impugns Such is the CUSTOMARY
justice rendered TO this eminent man. and the issue will
be the customary issue 10 all the attempts Of
ms adverSares TO biacken his character and his
onward march in the confidence of the American peo
pie Each seems TO bring him trumphs by afford
Tag opportunities for bringing his life and conduct the
test OF public scrutiny and each throws the motley ranks
OF his enemies into new confusion The fierce unscru
pulous, dishonest attempts TO connect his with the
Abolit.oniss have only served TO make manifest that
the leaders and ayorers Of that class of noxous ncen
diaries are TO be found politically associated with the
HhtgS IN their opposition TO Mr. Van Buren, and that
he himself sound orthodox and pledged every point
wh'ch is necessary for the tranquility and curity of
Southern institutions.
The letter contains few simple propositions which
come up fully 10 this point and all the perversions mis-
Quotations aud gablings of the WhiQs cannot alter the
tactsnor, what they for most prevent the m from
being known TO an intelligent truth loving, and mag
unanimous people
Mr.. Van BuRKs holds that the grant by the LegisIa.
lures oil Maryland and Virginia to the General Govern.
ment of "egciSire egiStatiOR all aehatsOeuer
includes by rs terms The power question, just
arms 70 be technical inclusion of what would have
been reserved and therefore in compliance with the
intentions of the grantors the spirit of the grant, and
he declares the objections the exercise of the powe 10
be "aS Imperative en- etr and obligations in regu.
i1ng Tie eond"ct IF pubtic men, tie papatie
III constitutional p0iocr 1oOud BE-" This then ia
his broad, unqualified doctrine that whatever may be e
technical presumptions in favor of power without
right, hostility to its exercise is binding duty to the
spirit OF the Constitution, though had been written
plainly on its face.
Upon the application Of aiis rule 10 his own conduct
his language is equally emphatic and alike beyond ca
vii 1t elected President he announces his determine
ton TO 90 into the Presidential Chair the inxLLe and
IncompromStng opponent Of any attempt tie part Of
Congress 10 abolish Slavery an tie District of Columbia
against the wishes of tho slave holding States and de-
termination equally decided resist the slightest inter
ference with the subject in the States in which il exists
To those explicit declarations of settled opinions and
high moral and constitutional obligations, in favor OF
tai abstinence from interference with slavery the
District OF COiumba aud OF resistance 10 the designs
those who would interfere; 10 these announcements ni
doctrine and purpose man, there is added solemn
inumaon of the obligation upon the Executive to use
the VITO power in aid OF the South Viewing the Abo.
lton in the District fraught with "immnent peril
mot ''certan destruction to the Union, he expresses
IL as bis eedT md settled opSHt0n that the Federal CO.
vernmeDt should abstain from it, and that '' IS The sa.
cred duty those i0hom Tie People If tie Uaited Suites in
trust toi Tie control is acOa THAT of the Federal Co
veTnment) to use Me coSsrIrUTIoSAL POWER teM
1oheh Mey ars infested, as ~ Preventa."
In this letter. them MIR Van BuIen has clearly ex.
pressed ROLE for public conduct the application Of the
rule to his position and purposes and the means to
enforce Il IN the EXTREMIST case, relating TO this import
ant question.
The S, total abstinenee from Interference with
Slavery in the District of Columbia upon considers
tons as imperative the most palpabc constitutional
prohibition and inseparaby blended with Tie continu.
OF the USIoN
The APPLICATIONS is an avowed obligation TO 90 into
the Presidential chair nlexbly and uncomProinsingly
hostile TO any such interference from any quarter.
The MEANS clearly intmaled, is the vEro POWER
Is there an honest sincere Union Southern man who
can desire more 3--dto5iie Register.
The editors Of the Southern Recorder have disap-
pointed us instead Of categorical to the ques.
tons propOundod 70 them, they eYasVely pass Them
over and wish US To meet than The pOint of
fTOuorsy md 81 interest 1ch is discuss TOuads
Of their o00g gcars GgO for mr. pau BareG FIR 1e
why they heartily oppose him for The PTesdencg We
ready 60 meet the editors the Recorder on line re
P0int Of cOHfrOUersy and If interest," and shall certain
y do 80 IN subsequent numbers Of this paper Bot be-
fore we meet them on this true point should be ara
tined 10 Dave our questions properly answered set
tied, because conceive that they Intimately con
neccd with the true point stated BY TIC editors Of the
Recorder.
The only direct answer to our questions we find in
the Recorder is, that they advocated the preen
sons Of Mr. v Buren, for the Presidency ind therefore
there can be no Inconsistency in not advocating them
now Because, say they they have supported man Tor
one Office, II is strange logic 10 argue inconsistency boz
cause they wil not support him ior another For instance
81 man be supported for the Office Of Judge Of the luf
rior Court by Of the readers of the Recorder he ,os
be very inconsistent IL he refuses 10 sgpport him ss
ddate for the bench Ofthe Superior Court likewise Tb
continue the editors, would be according our view liz
subject TO such argument have 10 observe tbat
we are sorry TO find the editors resort 10 mere onbble
ne good sense and intelligence Of The editors Of the
recorder should certainly have led them 10 abstain f
&c comparison they make. Because they voted for Mr.
an Buren, for the Vice Presidency il il no srnqon st
ey should nave voted, or should vote FOR him for