Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-03-15

gress over the District TO be ceded
2dly cannot but regard the agitation Of this subject
in the District Of Columbia as surprze upon the peo-
ME of MARYLAND and Virginia. being very confident that
f,he state of tnrs which exists had been al all APP
pretended BY those States, the cess'on OF the District
woul not have been made except upon the express
dton that Congress should exercise no such power and
that with such condition the ccSsion would IN the then
state Of public opinion, have been readily accepted
3dIv do therefore believe, that the abolition of slave
~ in the District OF Columbia against the wishes Of the
savehoding States (assuTing that Congress has the
power to effect iD would violate the spirit of That
promsc of interests which lies at the basis OF suclu
compact; and am thoroughly convinced, that it could
mot be so done, without imminent peril, if not certain
destruction, 10 the Union Of the States viewing the
matter in this light it is my clear and settled opinion
that the Federal Government ought to abstln from do
ing So and that is the sacred duty of those whom the
people of the United States entust with the control Of
its action to the constitutional power with which
they are invested, rs to prevent It.
think il due TO the occasion, and only simple act Of
Justice TO my ellow-citizens of the North, ct all Pot
cal parties TO add the expression OF my full belief, tna
the opinions above expressed, accord IN substance WIN
those Entertained by larger orty OF the people OF
the no-savc-boding States than has ever before exist
ed in those States public question OF equal magh-
tude 1t is also due TO them to say. that their
This subject spring out OF considerations Oh 700
character and look TO consequences OF too solemn an
import to be shaken by slight causes With only &C.
nerous confidence The part OF the South in their pre-
thrcn of the North and firm determination on the part
TO YSlL WIN incl! SepeIeSL ""J ~
tempt to connect The ubect with party politics. those sem
timcnts cannot he overthrown All future attempts on
the part of the aboitionss to do will then only serve
to accumulate and concentrate public odum on them
selves That there persons at the North who are at
from concurring in The prevailing sentiment have de-
.cribed certainly true; but their numbers, when COM
pared with the rest Of the community, are very lnconsi-
dr1able; and if the condition Of things not great
grayated by imprudence, many Of hem have no doubt
will ultimately adopt sounder views of the subject; anu
the efforts of those who may persist in the work OF ag'
a,on may be overcome by reason, rendered noPeFa
tive by constitutional remedies
To one class Of those who have hitherto Pctitioncd
Congress for the abolition of slavery in the District OF
Columbia cannot forbear TO refer aude to The So
ciety of Friends or the people usually denomnated
Quakers. The uniformity Of their course upon THIS SUD-
iect the temperate in which it has been mani
tested and the marked excellence Of their conduct ana
claracer appear have conciiated respect tor Their mo
lives even from those who differ with them in opinion
As far my observation has enabled me to Judge,
due them to say, that there las been no indication
of any change of opinion upon their part during the
sent excitement has there been evidence OF ds
position 10 lend themselves to the undue agItaons o
The pubc mind attempted by others There is certainly
no class Of people this country, who have deeper IN