Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-03-05
VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.
DEFERRED DEBA7E-[Cosr.suED.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES-Sufnr jan. Is.
ABOLITION RESOLUTIONS.


ABOLITION RESOLUTIONS.
MIR. GARLAND, of hlecklenburg, said The gentleman
from the city Of Richmond (Mr. Stanard) opened his
argument on yesterday, by adverng to the great una
nnity which prevailed in the Southern States on this
subect-exprrssed desire that similar unanimty might
prevail ere-and alluded, in Of repoach, to those
who cannot be persuaded to 60 along with him in the
adoption of the resolutions presented by the committee
For myself Mr. Speaker, would gladly receive the re-
solutions of either Of the Southern SaLrs alternn.
tive far preferable to those which you hold in your
hand have not examined them with great attention.;
but far slight and hasiy pcrusa may allow to
judge, South Carolina ersef-cver disposed to
ultra measures-has advanced AL opinion, assumed q
position which is not true and reasonable. But,
Of the doctrines contained in the resolutions now at
tempted to be forced the consideration Of this House,
we do regard untrue, dangerous, and fatal in their
consequences. And because, sir, cannot HEARTILY
embrace the opinions Of an
unconyinced mind to the reception Of their prncp Pies
unsparingy denounced captious in objec-
tons, and as iactious In our opposition You told,
sir that these resolutions have been presented by
ntee selected for the purpose of taking this decute
subject under consdcrallon-at they are the result Of
great delIbcraton-and ought therefore, 10 be unani-
lnously adopted.
What is the history of the proceedings in that COM
mler: These resolutions were introduced by the gen.
tlenan from the City of Richmondread by him in his
place, and several adopted before sing member had
un opportunity to examine, and TO ascertain by careful
consideration the character and tendency Of the doctrines
between MIR. Garland, Mr.. Wilson of Botctourt, and
MIR. Slanard US the number Of resolutions adopted.
MIR. Wilson concurred with MIR. e., that several had
been adopted, but did not ccollect the precise NUMBER
he believed however, that two voted before he
Obtained copy of the resolutions from MIR. Stanard
MIR. Garland continued 1t seems, then, MIR. Speaker,
ain not mistaken Us TO the fact that Of these resolu
tons were voted on in committee before members had
opportunity 10 them quiet and deliberate considera
ton; two, at least accordngto the recollection Of the gen.
tlcnan from Botelourt, thus hustly udoped-and
one: the resolution under discussion, containing the
obnoxious principles against which conending.
The whole series of resolutions those only excepted
which contain abstract and Irrelevant propositions
Objectionable 10 many members of the committee: a
substitute Offered for nearly each of them, and
had the vote been finally taken the whole, they would
have been carried by minority OF ono or two only and
yet gentlemen to expect unanImIty lIeIe-are
disposed to those who do not respond TO their
opInions-are surprised that the voice Of opposition
should be raised and are ready TO cast the responsibility
Of this Senate those who would have must gladly
avoided all discussion. Whatever may be the conse-
quenccs 10 myself shall not hesitate to speak the truth,
when believe tho peace and welfare of my country
endangered by principles maintained Oh this floor. do
regard the proposition contained in the second resolu-
ton-te principle which must be the necessary conse
qusnce OF It's present phrascoogy-as untrue and dam
gerous. When undertook u lew days since 10 nayzc
the resolution, and ~ point out its objectionable features,
many gentlemen seemed 10 have been taken entirely by
surprise, and could not persuade themselves That had
|
That when taken eny mcmbc only sustained
strike from the resolution the object
ube CLAUSE Since then, have not found one single gentle
man, wlo in conversation, dues not fully concur with
in opinion and who is not satisfied explanation,
that the resolution stands il extremely objectionable;
that IT goes far beyond the most eSlravagnt notification,
and contains ura principles for which South Caro-
Ina does not contend. glad to find yesterday
the gentleman from Campbell entertaining the same
views with myself and was little gratited, sir,
Ut the forcblc manner in which he discussed the ques
Ion. So torclbe the argument, that the gentleman
from Richmond City, who stands as the special advocate
OF This resolution, driven entirely from his original
ground of defence So clearly it shown, that the
citizen cannot violate the Constitution in the way
that the General Government or State can, that the
gentleman from Richmond forced 10 take advantage
u the accidental pllraseougy OF the latter clause Of the
resolution and plead that The czriI, though he may
violate the Constitution, may yet violate the 0Lgu
tons OF the Constitution Gentlemen talk about
dedam and ttrccdedee; if this he not twcedng, then
have idea ot the meaning OF words. But let ad.
vance to Tie argument, and eIaInr The strength OF the
position assumed by The gentleman from Richmond.
The latter part Of the resolution under discussion con-
tuns the following clause All interference Herewith
domestic slavery by the general government, the other
States the cIlIzrs vi other Staes, Is invasive of The
rights OF the States and violates the obligations Ut the
Constitution. Here are, grammatical parlance, three
distinct subjects, The General Government the States,
and the citizens Of States, each having the same a
butte and the same object. The General Government,
by all interference, invades the rights OF the States and
violates the obligations of the Cnnslution-he States,
by the sane invade The rights OF the States: and violate
the obligations Of the citizens, by
interference, violate the obligations OF the Constitution,
and invade the rights OF the States Now, it is the plain
est principle ut language that IN The mode in which
the rulllon object affected by subject it is Affect
ed by The other and you had just as well attempt to
ovrrluru the simplest principles OF mathematics, TO
disregard this fundamental law of language. So long,
therefore, the resolution retains its present fom
serts this proposition, that the citizen can invade the
rio hts the States violate the obligations of the Con.
sllu,ion in tie alucr i'll which the General CO.
vern.eto the states violate these sucrcd obligations
Let US see whether this proposition be true These
States originally sovereign and independently but for
this defence und general welfare they entered
into q solemn compact and formed L Federal Govern
ment, which should br supreme over them all But the
constitution ut Government then iurned IS one OF limited
aud specified puwrr-a other powers necessary TO the
complete organization Of Government reserved to
the Suites themselves, and constitute what technical
" called >tate Rights Now, ask whether it be pos
slble any other than the parties TO this compact 10
violate lis obligations II the General Government
,ranscends the limit prescribed by the Constitution it
not only violates the ougatus o! That Constitution, but
must inevitably invade rig lit which has been re-
served u tie States. ST. OIL the other hand, IT State
should assume powers specially delegated by the Con-
sltuliun the Federal Government, these rights and
obligations would be Affected by such action. Suppose,
for example, State should undertake 10 lay all nnPost
duty OIL the domestic trade Of other SlateS-sucl
all act would violate express provision OF the
Constitution, and invade the rights Of the Stale
whose commerce thus embarrassed. Can the
rights and obligations here spoken of, be in any man.
nsr affected by the citizen; Can he reach them =
Are they not The Fundamental principles, the organic
laws by which States ind Governments alone are cli-
trolled and if these be disegarded violated there IS
no other urbter TO decide e controversy, save the '
ties themselves hut the citizen is auIeuabc 10 c
laws, and is punishable in the courts Of justice Tue
laws enacted by the General Government operate di-
rec,y on individuals without regard 10 State divisions
Should these laws be Unconstitutional there are trbu-
nus IL determine; hut long they in operation,
they act directly the cil'zrn and do not recognize