Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-03-19


der this aspect of eur afrs qnes,nns demand your
consideration, The prompt Il, cisun requ red
less by me gS o the Stale, than by ihe srcofi'y und
interest Of thcsc you rcpr, The first OF these ques
tions refers to uc cnndtnn 81 things now existing,
and exnc,s ct you L. determine ,chc,scr such
~ MttgS Ss1T f""ger b. baFne The second regards
Mc proposed eaange in present telat,ons, &c
AZ an early day of the session, this subject was put
IN charge OF committee of Tie House OF DELEGATES
and while the COMMITTEE d.lilerutn9 upon H. one
oil the Delegates from AL,naris AN IA dent and active
member OF the OPPOSITION and yo himself member
OF the commitiee sought 10 withdraw the subject from
the commee, and sbnit:ed in tile House of Delegates
the following resolutions: Reso'red Tina. the Governor
OF this Commonwealth be requested To- open a cores
Ponuehce WAN c executive authorities of these States
within whose jurisdiction certain incendary associa
tons have been formed for the purpose of abolising
slavery IN tic District OF Columbia and in the United
States, with view ascertain, far practicable the
disposition OF those States Ia provide by adequate legal
enactnents for the suppression OF such
for arresng The circulation of their dangerous publca.
lions Also, with the Executive authorities of othrr
States IL he should deem il NECESSARY in order 10
tain the measures which have been taken, or may be
contemplated to councrac the fatal tendencies OF those
associations"
This resolution fortunately arrested but rave rise
10 violent and exciting debate, in which, whatever
might have been the design of the resolution II was
made the occasion OF the most unsparing abuse of Mr.
van Buren,, and an effort u him. in public es
maton, with the movements of the aboonsts. From
that moineut, the subject became party question and
we think IT requires no comment from us 10 show by
whose acts 1t was made And we cannot but nater
ourselves that you will with us in the opinon
that the management of this delicate question was
safer in the hands of the Legislature who ver The inn
mediate representatives OF the people, than woud have
been in the hands of the Governor whose known
feelings upon this subject, and his subsequent acts
IN reiau9n to another set of rcsolutions shew him
not TO be the saiest the most discreet dsposito
ny OF political power The resolutions which were
ultimately adopted although the result OF a com.
promise between the two parties believed to pre-
sent the claims of the State strong point of view
rs justice and good policy would dictate and that they
will be received by sister holding States
IN spirit of good feeling, and determination To do
Justice we cannot for a moment doubt we believe
moreover, tista he eli sofo
opponents TO excite public feeling upon this subject that
our slave property is at this time upon footing great
er security than has been for the last twenty wears
The excuses OF the abolitonss have called forth an
expression OF public opinion, both the North and the
South, of ardent attachment to the Union, and con
oemnation oil their proceedings, which in short time
must extnguish their hopes forever In Congress- too
the unqualified disclaimer of any authority 10 interfere
with the subject in the States and their fixed
ton 10 reject all petitions for abolition Of slavery in
the District of Columbia satisfy ALL except those
who disposed to keep up excitement in The coup
try for political purposes. against these political moi
tators we tell you TO beware We have already had one
panic Tor The overthrow of the present Adminis;ra-
ton; and this topic will be create another if thew
can, to defeat the election OF the distinguished ndivd.
al selected by the Democrats their candidate for the
Presidency.
Among other duties which have been deyolved u,op
the members OF the present General Assembly accord
ing to the ancient usage of the State that of meet
ing in Convention to nominate suitable persons for The
office OF President and Vice President Of the u States
and the formation of Electoral Ticket This duty has
been performed, and MIR. VAS BUREN of New York and
Judge WILLIAM SMITn of Alabama, formerly OF South
Carnina) have been selected the Democratic Cnnd
dates for those Offices respectively Previous lo ,Is
meeting of the Legislative Convention in Richmond il
Is known TO you that Convention ct Delegates from
all parts of the Union, assembled Baltimore in May
last for the purpose of selecting that individual in tile
Democratic ranks candidate for tie Presidency " no
would carry out the principles and policy the
Administration, and on whom the Democratic Rcpubli-
cans OF the country would be most likely unc That
Convention was unanimous in the selection OF Mr. Van
Buren, as The candidate for the Presidency and at the
same time selected Col r. M Johnson " as the can.
ddae for the Vice Presidency This last nomination was
strongly contested in the convention and cspecav bv the
Virginia delegation who ultimately gave notice 10 their
brethren in the Convention that they would not abide
the nomination of Col Johnson. Hence il was that we
have felt ourselves perfectly at liberty select another
individual whose political opinions belered TO accord
more nearly with the opinions OF the Democratic party in
Virgnia than those oil Col J. Judge Smith is a politi.
clan OF the old democratic school, and Tor many years
Senator from >. o In the Congress of the u. s. He
IS known TO be politician of much learning cxpe-
rience, and ofunsuied reputation lie is also
known 10 be devoted to the Union and have resisted
with his whole strength the mad volen
of the NuilhcTs Of South Carolina; and when overpow-
cred by them and longer able useful he with
drew himself from thence TO the State of Alabama
where lie at present resides.
In relation to Mr. Van Buren,, he has been closely
connected with the present Administration, and his po
htca opinions and public course have been fully
vassed that il is believed there few persons in the
country who have not been made acquainted with them
His position for the last two three years The most
prominent candidpte for the Presidency has exposed
him in peculiar manner TO the combined attacks of all
those who favored the precnsiOnS of his rivals. This
will always be the when there several candidates
for the Presidency, and of them more prominent
than the rest; and few strong enough To with
stand such influence.
Mr.. Crawford Ia his day, known TO have been the
most prominent candidate for the Presidency, no
that fact fully asccrtaned than he became
the target the shafts of all those who favored the pre-
tensions of others. And although strong in lie ahec
tons of the great body of tho Republicans the coun.
Try, yet he far coVen down, be only the third
the list of those who reached the House of Rcprcsc.
tatives. hr.Nan Buren, occupies similar position
and while confidently believe that he will be able TO
Withstand a. nd il
daily advancing in the esteem of his couurymen vet
his position Will account 10 for the violent and Der
seyerng efforts which have for the last year or two been
made To break him down Ills enemies desiencdy oyer.
looking all those conside rations which have recommend
ed him TO the American people, seized upon some
ton, and are urging them with the greatest zeal and in.
sdasty upon ALL WHO likely 10 be influenced by them
We think 1T therefore proper to notice those objections
and TO place the true state Of facts in relation To them
before the public, order that the people may iudoe
Tor themselves That the Democratic party should have
through long public life, should be wholly free from,
occasional error not to be expected Perfection be-
longs not to mortal 1t is the attribute Of The Del
ty only And nc who will only vote for a candidate for
the Presidency, who has committed lauIt and
whose opinions III all respects exactly agree with his
own VIII rarely have IT ~ bis power vote all in
Presidential election.
1st IL is objected 10 hlr Van Buren, on the ground at
he is in favor Of Internal lmproyen by the Federal
Government; and proof Of IT, his enemies refer 10
a single vote OF his upon the Cumberland Road bill in
1921, the first year that he in te Seuate Of tine IT,
States. Under what circumstances that was given
and his subsequent regret having gyea it, we viii rive
road IN reference the constitutional powers of the Co
veTnment, matter entirely sal geacrfs. IL was autn.