Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-01-21


ais having similar object in view. If he had been
formed oi II, he should have endeavored persuade
him TO wait until Monday next, when he, (Sir. 3D.
would nave been prepared to pursue the he had
Indicated But the question has now been forced upon
US No, (said Mr.. b. it has not been forced upon me,
because | am glad TO have suitable occasion Of ex-
pressing my opinions upon the subject.
The memorial which have in my possession is en-
titled the respect from the character of the
memoriaists. AS entirely dissent from the opinion
which they express that ought to abolish slavery
the District OF Columbia ieelit TO be due to them,
myself and TO the Senate, respectfully FIRMLY
the reasons why cannot advocate their views OF &C.
quiesce in their conclusions.
II any one principle of constitutional law can this
day De considered as settled it is that Congress have
no right, no power, the question of slavery within
thoso States where IL exists The property of The
yer In ms slave existed in full force before Federal
constitution was adopted IL was subject which then
belonged AS it still belongs to the exclusive jurisdiction
of the several States These States bv The adonton of
the Constitution yielded TO the General Govern
lnent any right 10 interfere with the question It re-
mains where 1t was previous to the establishment of
contederacy.
The Constitution has, in the clearest terms recognz
cd tne right OF property in slaves. 1t prohibits any
state INTO winch slave may have ed from passing any
law TO discharge him from slavery and declares that he
shall be delivered by the authorities of State
ms master Nay, more, makes the existence OF slave
~ The foundation of political power by giving those
States within which in Congress
not only in proportion the whole number of free per
of slaves
An occasion very fortunately arose in the fist Con
gress TO settle this question forever The society for
!
iore that congress by memorial, which presented
on the lth day Of February, 1890. After the subject
had been discussed for several days. aud solemn
liberation, the House of Representatives, in Committee
OF the Whole, on the Odd day of March, 1890 resolved
That Congress have authority to interfere in the
emancipation of slaves in the treatment of The n, with
IN any OF the States IL remaining with the States
alone, to provide any regulations theren which huma-
nifty and true policy may require
have thought il would be proper TO present this de-
cison, which made almost half century aro dis
uncty to the view oil the American People. The Ian.
uase OF the resolution is clear precise and definite 1t
leaves the question where the Constitution le it, and
where so FAR as concerned il ever shall remain =
The Constitution OF the United States never would
oech called INTO existence-nsead of the innumerabe
blessings which have flowed from our happy Union we
should have had anarchy jealousy, and civil war among
the sister Republics of which our conederacv is
cd had not the free States abandoned all control
question: For one, whatever may be my opinions upon
the abstract question ofsavcry and free to confess
they are those of the people
attempt to violate this fundamcna compact The Union
wi be dissolved, and incaculable evils will rise from
It's ashes, the any such attempt is seriously od
by the free States in Congress.
What then, are the circumstances under which these
memorials are now presented! number of ianatcs
ied on by foreign lncendiaries have been scattering
rows, hrebrands, and DEATH, throughout the Southern
States The natural tendency of their publications is
TO produce dissatisfaction and revolt among the slaves
and toncite their wild passions to vengeance All lis
tory, as well as the present condition of the slaves
proves that there be danger of the final result Of
serviie war. But, in the time, what dreadful
scenes may be enacted before such an insurrection
winch would spare neither age SEX could be spp,
cred
Sv py me genter SEX IN consequence of these pu6li.
caiions n.sny mother clasps her infant 10 her bosom
when she retres to resi- under dreadful apprehensons
tna she may be aroused from her SAUNDERS by the say.
age yells OF the slaves by whom she is s;iTi5,ns.-
These are the works OF the Abolionists That their
motives may be honest DO not doubt: but their 7eaI
without knowledge. The history o. the human race
presents numerous examples of ignorant enthusiasts The
purity o whose intentions cannot be doubted who have
spread devastation and boodshed over the face of the
earth - vac
These fanatics, instead of benefit,ng the slaves who
are the objects of their regard have inflicted seriou in
Jures upon them Selfpreservation is the first law of
nature The masters for the sake of their wives and
chIdren-ior the sake of all that is near and dear 10
lem on eart must tighten the rein of authority over
their slaves They must thus counleract the efforts of
the AboIitioniss. The slaves denied many indulen
which their masters would otherwise cbesrf,Il,
grant They must be kept in such a state of bondaoc
as etteetualy to prevent their rising These are the IN
furious effects produced by the Abolionss upon the
slave hiQself. Whilst, the hand they render
his condition miserable by presenting his mind vag
notions OF freedom, never TO be realized; on the Other
they make 1t doubly miserable by compelling The mas
ter TO be severe IN order 10 prevent any attempts at in
surrecton They thus render it impossible for the mas
Ter to treat his slave according TO the dictates of his
heart and his feelings
Besides, do not the Aboltonists perceive that the sni
mt which Is thus reused, protracL to an indefinite
period, the emancipation of the slave? The nrccssar,
effect Of their efforts is to render desperate those TO
whom the power OF emancipation exclusively belonus
believe, most conscicntiously in whatever light his
subject can be viewed that the best of the vc
require that the question should be left, where Con
sttuon as left IT, to the slaveholding States them.
selves, without foreign interference.
This being true of the case as apuIied 10
the States where slavery exists what is now asked v
these memoralists' That in this District of Ten nils
sqGaea District carved out oftwo slave. holding Stocs
and surrounded by them all sides, slavery sha mo
abolished What would he the effects of GRANTING icir
request You would thus citadel in the very heart
oil these States upon territory which they have cedcd
to you for far different purpose, from bch abolition
lsS ana IncendIares could securely attack
safety OF their citizens You establish spot vtbin1bo
slavc-hoding States which would be CITY of reguo tr
runaway slaves. You by law central poin fro,
into the surrounding States, which may at any nome Mt
produce fearful and destructive explosion y passin
such law you introduce the enemy into the very hnson
OF these two States, and afford him every opportunity 10
produce servIe Instruction. Is there ang reasonable
man. VINO can tor one moment suppose that VIRGINIA
and Maryland would have coded the District of mn,
bia TO the United States il they had entertained tIe
slightest idea That Congress would ever use il for nm,
such purpose They coded il for your use for vonr
convenience, and not for their destruction When
Maryland, then, and not till then, ought il TO be ahol
islled M the District OF. Columbia
Mr. H. SAID, that notwithstanding these were his opin
ions, ne could not vote for the motion of the Senator
rom south Carolina (Mr. CaIhoun0 not to receive
these memorials. lie would ao at eseut n,,cced .,
state his reasons, sill hoping the Senate con vel nSree
upon some course which would prove satisfactory To- all
win thls view ne moved that the whole suhiect he
postponed until Monday next And after some further
debate, il was postponed.
Alr Benton to express his concurrence i'm Tho sr
geson OF the Senator from Ponnsylvania MIR Bncb1
nanD ihatthe consideration oil this snbec be
III MONDAY lthud come up suddenly and unc xpectrdl
today and The postpOnemen would give an opporynit
ior senators TO reflect, and to confer tooeter and IN
conclude what best to be done where ali ,er i,d
produce excitement lie had risen for this proosc bn,
being on his feet he would cay few words ON the rem