Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-05-31
: VOLUME xxXaaE.---No. 2.


the direiu consequences of his scheme, both to the
whites and the blacks, to the North and the South and
TO the whole Union at large?
your committee deemit their duty SAP that n their
opinion, the people Of the South have been very
lJnstiy censured IN reference 10 slavery. 1t is not
their purpose, however, to defend them Their cha.
ractcr, as men and citizens, needs no yindcation
from Wherever it is known it speaks for itself
nor wos'5 any wanonly traduce it, but those assas-
sins OF repnsation who are also willing to be the de-
stroyers of life Exaggerated pictures have been drawn
OF the hardsps OF the slave and every effort made 10
! mnlgn the South. aud TO enlist against il both the
religious and political feeling Of the North Your com
mit.ee cannot loo strongly express their unanimous and
nnqualhrd disapprobalon of all such movements The
Constitution, under which we live, framed by our
common ancestors to preserve the liberty and ndepend
achieved by their united efforts in The council and
the field In uil contests with foreign enemies the
South bias exhibited an unwaverng attachment to the
common cause. Where is the spot Of which Americans
are prouder than the plains CT Yorktown Or, when
was Britain more hunb!rd, or America more honored,
than by the victory of New Orleans All our history
from the Revolution down, attests the high, and uni
form, and devoted, patriotism of the South. Her do
nestle institutions are her own. They brought
into the Union with her, and secured by the compact
which makes US one people; and he who would dis
senslons among members OF the same great political
family, By assailng the Institutions, and mpugning the
character OF the citizens Of the South should be regarded
MS enemy to the peace and prosperity Of our
! country.
If there feature BY which the present age may be
which, dsrrgardng the pressing claims and wants of its
immediate neighbour hood, town, or State wastes
and dissipaes itself in visionary, and often very mis-
chIevous enterprises, for the imaginary benefit of remote
communities. True philanthropy, rightly understood,
and properly applied, is of the purrst and most
n'bng prnc pies Of our nature; but, msdirected or
perverted, degencratrs into that fell spirit Of fanat
csn which dsrrgards all ties and trampes on all obsa-
ccs however sacred venerable in the relentless prose-
cu!ion of its horrd purposes Experience proves how
ever, that when individuals in place mstaking the
true character benerornce rashy undertake. al the i'm
mincnt hazard OF Conflict and convuslon, to remedy
what they pleased consider evils and distresses in
another it is naturally regarded by those who thus
injured either as species OF madness which may be
PEELED resisted any other madness may, mani
testing feeling Of hostility the side, which must
necessarily produce corresponding alienation on the other
1t is I'll important therefore, that tie spirit Of abolition,
or in other words, Of Illegal and oficious interference
with the domestic Institutions Of the South, should be
arrested and put down and men OF intelligence and in
Rucncc at The North should endeavor produce that
sound and rational Of public opnion which equal
y due 10 The South and to the preservation Of the Union.
And this brings your committee to the last position
they have been instructed 10 sustain and that is, that
in the opinion Of this House, Congress ought 10 in
terfere, i'll any way with slavery in the District Of Co.
| lumbia.
3dly Because it would be dangerous to the Union
The first great object enumerated in the Constitution,
as an inducrmcnt 10 lis adoption, Was to - form
perfect union. Al that time, all the States held slaves
greater less extent and slavery in the States was
fully recognised and provided for in many particulars,
in that instrument itself II recognized, however,
and all tho provisions upon The subject regarded 1t,
State, and not national institution At that time,
l1o has been before remarked, the District of Coum
ha constituted integral part Of two of the ndepen.
dent States which became parties to the Confederacy
and to the Constitution itself. Since that time entire
patton of slaves has taken place in several of the
did Stairs; but III all cases this has been the work OF the
States themselves without any interference whatever by
the Federal Government New States have also been
admitted into the Union, with an introduction in their
Constitutions against involuntary servilude In this
way, the slave States have become minority in repre-
sentatun III the Federal Legislature. Their interests,
however, States in the institution of domestic slavery
as il exists within their limits, have not diminished, nor
has their right 10 perfect security under the Consutnn
in reference 10 this description Of property, been in any
way, 10 any degree, surrendered impaired since
the adoption OF that instrument by themselves and their
sister States.
The operation Of causes TO a great extent natural,
and proceeding from climate, SOIL and consequent pro-
dEcon, has rendered slavery local and sectional in
st!tulon and has thus added another the most alarm
ing apprernsons Of patriots for the perpeuty of this
Unipnthe apprehension Of local and phical ne
rests and distinctions How immensely important is it
then. that Congress should do act, and assume no
jurisdictions in reference to this great interest," by which
it shall appear place itself in the attitude of To-
cal, instead Of a national rbunal-a partial agent, pro-
yding for peculiar and sectional objects and feelings,
instead of general and pacrna legislature equally and
impartally promoting the general welfare OF all the
States. No fail 10 that any other course on
the part Of Congress- must weaken the confidence OF HE
injured Suites in the federal authority, and 10 the same
extent, prove dangerous to the Union
Since the adoption Of the Federal Constitution, the
District of Columbia has been ceded to the United
States as 4 seat Of the Federal Government but not
only many eminent statesmen Of the country, but all
Of the saYeholdng States, speaking through their Lc-
gsatiTe assemblies, firmly believe and insist that the
ce.son made has conferred upon Congress consti
tutona power 10 abolish slavery within the coded terri
tory Your committee have abs,ained from examina
ton of this question, because they were not instructed
TO discuss it, But they have hesitation to say, that
in the view they have taken OF the whole question, the
obligations of Congress not to act on this subject
fully binding and nsupcrab!e as positive constltu.
tional inlrrdct, an open acknowledgment OF want
of power.
Considering the subject in this light your committee
have already proved that any interference by Congress
with the subject Of slavery, would be evidently calculated
nurc the interests and disturb the peace of the slave
holding Staes and if they have succeeded in establish
ing this poson argument is necessary TO show, that
such consequences. sprngng from the action OF Con-
gress the local Legislature of the District, would emf
nently endanger the existence Of this Union II has also
been sbewn, that Congress, the Legislature of the
Union have constitutional power this subject
and that its powers local Legislature of the District
granted for the purpose of rendering It's ge
neral powers perfect and free from conflict and COLI
sion with the State authorities 1t has also been shown
that these local powers should be exercised 10
confer the greatest benefits upon the citizens resd.
ing within the District with the least possible inju
ry the peculiar interests Of any State, the ge.
neral interests of all the States. Your committee
have also shown, they think successfully, that the
abolition Of slavery in the District of Columbia would be
deep injury the citizens of the District and therefore,
violation Of the trust reposed in Congress us the local
Legislature Of the District and, also that it would IN
ic ncurablc injury upon all the States.
Ieposed in that BODY as the Legislature Of the Union.
IT, then they have Established these POSITIONS as they
think they have, can any doubt that The action con.
| tennla.ed would be dangerous to the Union being
;rcc,Iv calculated as would be, TO weaken the conf
dance IF The District in Congress safe and faithful