Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-04-26
POLITICAL.
tfR. H.4.T BCRE.rS OPLii

1t would be more consistent with dealing, if tho
editor of the Chronicle instead Of giving his version OF
a Mr. Van Burens letter on tho slavery question, would
Law the letter before his readers speak for itself III as
he afirms it contains avowas which should be unac-
ceptabc to the South that is the shortest way OF dong
him the political injury which wna!d crafty the party
anmosities of the Chronicle The reluctance to do So,
WILL with those who pay attention to political! dcm"nstr1'
lions, be naturally attributed 10 doubt whether Tins
construction will be sustained by peruss of the whole
letter. and fear lest the publication might do Mr. Fan
Buren, good, rather than the coveted BARN, among the
Southern people, Had it been attack upon the Vice
President by Wing Abolitionis Gsrrit Smith for
ample whose letters the Chronicle has patrnnized it
would have been paTadrd in print with all the imposing
dignity of editorial commentator to particular alien
a ton. But, the manly and explicit reply of calun
mated statesnan to thousand slnnderous epsesen
q atons Of his opinions, clear and expci declaration
81 of the principles and Opinions OF prominent candidate
8 for the Presidency, topic Of vital interest to the
country the Constitution and the Cuion it is consider
ed by party zcaos be and generous To discuss and
81 ns in lieu Of the distorted commentary Of an avowcd
a bitter enemy Candid men, of all political opinions
B not we think, fail consider such suppression disin
q penuous, and to in it evident consciousness Of the
Il weakness Ut cause that dares not trust lis '"!lo"crs
Il with the whole truth.
"A We have rightto complain OF the evil consequences
of this injustice upon ourselves when the Chronicle
presses its regre. that the Register, by endorsing Mr.
u Van Burens letter, acknowledges the rtgM OF Con-
gress "to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia
Had the document itself been before its readers they
would have easily conpehrnded the unfnr nature OF so
broal an affirmation and corrected il by The facts. The
y Register found no such thing in the letter TO endorse
The whole letter, indeed decided, unequirocal and
\ uncompromising argumc Mt against the right naked
po,csr without right is admitted with qualifications
q flowing from the deed Of ccssion from Virginia
cases uhasoeccr" which is construed II tcrmin to
3 include the power on this, as on ell other subjects
possessed by those States there is better or any
4 other construction We shall be glad to have the
guments in its favor from the Chronicle, The power
81 thus coded has necessarily the limitations. aud the
same exclusions Of all interference with it es does-
tic institution guaranteed by the Constitution, that has
in the States Of Virginia and Maryland. The ol-
ratious imposed by the Constitution Of the United
ii States, govern Congress local Legislature in their
control of this question of all other questions that are
q imposed In Virginia and Maryland by the State Cons;
u tutons and there is the absolute right in the peo
4 pie Of the District to enjoyment Of their rights and
a property without interference from the people authn
q rites Of any State. This cagrc Yo,re though exist
a ing in this limited form unavoidable fruit Of the act
81 of cession, is made utterly imperative by The u
b means The District is constituted, that way
sts for the action Of the property holders upon the Sub
q iect for themselves distinct community and Con
gress has funds which constu,ionaly bc applied
to it, The naked po,cer is therefore qualified one,
exclusive one, and cless one without means. II is.
d moreover power without right. This view has been
81 distinctly affirmed in the South by writer's ardcnty DE-
voted to Southern interests, and Jealous IN their si-
ty to the slightest movements OF Aboltonism in the
District elsewhere. 1t affirmed in the columns
of the Charleston Courier during the highest excitement
3 Of the last summer and shcwn 10 be harmless. To this
81 extent it is allowed in Mr. Pan Eurens letter, and
II more
The question of right is another matter, and upon
this the South stands and Mr. Fan Buren goes thorough
II ly und warmly far any Southern man goes. The
3 right" docs not depend upon noong doubtful abstrac
lions discussing docrinal scrupes, but rests broadly
and strongly upon grounds of morals good faith, pa'r
q oEm, public duty TO the spirit of the CouSutnn 6de
n lily to The Union, and love of Liberty and Country,
which throw into utter insigncance all the petty sub
llees of constitutional and special pleading and make
an impregnabie argument against the aritaon of the
SUBJECT at ALL N the District or elsewhere. When these
q fall parchment projections flax. These high con-
u siderations OF ngM arc summed up clearly and CO.
q pently BY Mr.. Fan Burcn; we quote his words
believe that had been foreseen at the time Of the
adoption Of the Constitution, that the seat of the Fedora,
s. Government would be fixed in slavehod rrgnn
and that the subject of slavery would be there nrard
to the prejudice Of those holding this species of p.op.r
.y the right to do so, would with the Of the non.
e-holdng States, have been made exemption To
the Legislative power given 10 Congress
a the District to be coded.
az cannot Lul regard the agitation of this subject in
the District of Columbia, surprise upon the people
of Maryland and Vrg nia being very conden. that if
the state of things which exists had been at all ap
pretended by those Sa,es the ccsson Of the District
would have been made except upon the express
dton that Congress should exercise such power and
that with such condition the ccSson would in the then
state of public opinion, have been readily accepted
sc" do therefore believe, that The abolition Of slavery
in the District Of Columbia, against the wishes of the
save.holding States (assumng that Congress has the
8power 10 effect it} would violate the spirit of that
promise of interest which lies at the basis of social
compact and am thoroughly convinced, that j, could
not be 60 done, without imminent peril if not ccrtain
destruction to the Union of the States Viewing the
matter in this light it is my clear aud settled opinion,
that the Federal Government ought TO abstain from doing
and that is the sacred duty OF those whom the peo
ME Of The United States entrust with the control Of its
action, SO to use the constitutional power with which
they are invested, as TO prevent 1t. !" -..... Rs.