Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-03-05

ed. We have an undonbted right us have repeatedly
decared TO require of those States the prove of
interference the part of their citizens with our do
estc anirs-but the mode To be adopted for this pur
pose must be left To thcm-we have right Ia dictate
tcruis They understand The character and temper Of
their own people, better than we doThey nDder sund
the powers vested in them by their laws and Con-
sutu'ion and will undoubtedly take that best
calculated TO accomplish the end proposed II they be
sincere IN their professions aud really DESTROYS
suppress tins audacous and wicked OF their
Citizens, they will without any dictaon from us adopt
The icst eiiectua means. But these resolutions leave
no altcrnative-they demand specific nieasurr--tie
non slave holding States must suppress these assoca
tons by penal enactnents; and ii they tail comply
hough tey may be convinced that the end be bete
attained IN another way yet The cains OF Virginia will
not be satisfed-sle will stop short Of penal enact
men's though il may be manifest that attempt pro-
cure me would he ruinous To her
But these resolutions claim still extraordi-
nary They demand the othose societies which
may hereafter be projected by oil penal nhib
uon, Were an enemy TO my county, Sir, and de-
sired To involve it III civil broils-wess IL friend TO
these neiarious associations and prayed Tor their success
could not adopt effectua means than those pro-
posed ny Tie committee To accomplish the purposes Of
the one and TO effect the overthrow of the other Give
iu scope TO the spirit of these resolutions and you
taOiis ia Virginia. any Southern STATE the right to
Interfere with the internal affairs and municipal regula
lions OF another State-You confer her the power TO
ab"dse or modify the rights and liberties OF those who
are not under her govrrnment-nay, more, sir, You
give er the extraordinary and despuic power of con-
trolling the opinions and principles of en, and OF
most fccesses OF the domestic aside. How can law
be carried into opea,on which has for its object the pre-
vcnhon oil the formation of societies. How you to
ascertain tlat such society plated? How
you To know the individuals in its projection,
lis the public officer 10 proceed his suspicious
or Is he to take the information OF others I; Aud,
what, SIR Is the specific act for which the citizen
I" he presented indicted some private roinpa
ny, by hs own hresde perhaps he expresses OPINIONS
favorable To abollion and declares purpose of getting
others TO Join him in society aid that cause Tins
los aud
the offender dragged into court tried and condemned
not tor any act committed but for the expression o
opIniouior the uttcrance of sentiments in the circle
of his own family and friends Is possible conceive
of any thing more oppressive tyTsnncal, and nqusto
rial? And yet sir, would you accomplish your object
by such course IF you resort To- law for r.dressbv
the law you must stand or fall. The enactment which
any holding State may pass your dication
will cite the language al your resolution and one
rate Tor the prevention OF societies purportng be
abotionsts Now, SIR, cannot societies be formed pur
porting 10 be any thing ese and yet have abolition OBJ
lects in vew Can they not contrve their Vaccinations
aud carry on their schemes, in different form and u
der another name! Your penal enactments therefore
will be perfectly harmess unless you extend them fur.
Their aud embrace all associations which, in the remoest
degree, aid countenance the aboltunsts in their
designs You must seek The destruction of all tenn
perance soceties-traci bible and missionary sociers
for the moment the nboItoniss suppressed nominc
they will immediately resort TO organised assoca-
ton, and carry their schemes under borrowed name
All debating clubs must be sileDced where the princ
pies OF slavery discussed Above all sir, you must
seek the annilaon of the sewing sncirtes which con.
stItute the most important aud efficient the
of abolition. In these societies vast quantities or
fancy articles manuhcured-sold high prices and
the proceeds thereof applied To the support of inccnda
ry agents the propagation of sedious publications.
Thus, sir you may 80 step by step, passing enact
incnt alter enactment, invading the rights
OF the citizen, establishing system of espionage over
the private walks-the secret retirement OF men and
alter all ia to accomplish your purpose. The abolition
lists will carry on their plans in thousand ways secret
aud OPEN and yet no law can be devised to and
punish them.
But, sir do you suppose TINT the Northern people will
give heed Ia the acquisitions sought be made by these
resolutions; i'll they tolerate doctrine which in lis
consequences must lead to the suppression of pvuis
opinion and the constitutional right of citizens tn as.
semble together? They must be made of different
stuff from Vrgnians, ii they do not spurn Your an.
plcation with scorn and derIson. have never doubt
ed their readiness To comply with every reasonable
demand | would hazard my life upon the asser-
ton, That they will put down the abotonists spec.
Oily, bring an end TO their mlschevous operations and
that III the most effectuul mode. But, sir, when YOU
come in dicatorin spirit, making such as are
contemplated IN these resolutions, they cannot they will
not comply. Why then, should we place ourselves in
this questionable attitude! Ivy should we rouse the
Cancellation? And with what countenance can we
make demand, which must lead TO an invasion of the
private rights and revolution in the social relations of
another State is not this the very principle which
the abolltionsts acting? Do they claim The right
To interfere with the domestic slavery of the South by
operating the minds of the owner and by endeayor
States as will put cud to tha institution? Have we
not denounced their unconstitu ,ional anti
social, wicked and diaboica; And yet are willing
TO practise the same principles III acquisitions the
Northern States? How ask others to do that
which would not do ourselyes-which we would
scorn to doand which we have already branded with
the strongest epItiets Of Odun and detesiaon, Shall
we, then, persist in making demand for penal enact
mens, 10 suppress those associations, when we plainly
perceive, that laws for that purpose would be- inecua
Shall we persist in making regusion which cannot Ice
complied witbwbc must Turn the current of public
sentiment against usdvert the attention Of the North
people from the object consideration of their
own rights and lIberies--create enemies without conc
Hating single lrlcnd-aRd which is founded on those
decsable principles advocated by the aboonists them
selves hat good there be for efug
IN such doubtful and dangerous course? Have we
any example before us encouragement to pro-
coed Not one. Neither North Carolina South Caro-.
liza nor Gcogl has made the demauGs contemplated
IN your TesolutOnsthey were too cxtravagan aud un
reasonable for the nullllyng Caronan, or the hot.
headed Georgian" Have you any examples in history
any principles in law to sustain you IL said that the
claim you ny is founded on ntef national law
j have searched in vain for such law. 1 had hoped
that learned gentleman would give US the author
~ and the historical example for This extrayagant unu.
sual demand But not word has escaped them on
this SUBJECT When first called the attention of t,e
House to this point authorities international law were
cited TO show what really have right IN demand
OF the Northern States. TIE principles Of nternaon.
al Inv are plain and Ineligible to all. If the ciDsfn
NJ SUITE si1H commit act injurious To n eifsea
Of anoft,r, he shan be deiirered np or pusisfed .
They shall in like manner be punished if Meg do or
PHbsh any thing calculated creafe disturbance fopepf
d'sc0rd, corrupt Me citizens IF anOey Saie These
principles attempted 10 illustrate by historical exam.
pies. referred TO the Of England and the Jacobin
Clubs in the time Of the French Revolution referred
TO a more recent example IN the time Of Bonapafe-
When First Consul, he demanded Of England suppress.
sion Of "unbecOmng and sedtiOus publications" issuing
from her press England readily complied with this dc.
mand, because France had right TO make it-and those