Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-05-31

.o;i,ton of any question connected with aonesu'
slavery, exists in this country among any
of our citizens creates apprehension ana e4citemeh.
~ The slavebodins Siatess Who does not know That
the agitation Of any such question IN ether osaach OF
Congress- shakes their confidence IN the security OK te
ost important interests, and, consequently, In me
Continuance TO them of those great benefits, TO secure
which, they became parties to the Union i: Who then
does not believe that any action by Congress- having Tor
its object the abolition Of slavery in any portion OF the
Union however narrow or limited it may be, would ne
cessarly impair the confidence of the slave.hodIns
States in their security in relation TO this descip!'o
property, put end 10 all their hope OF dement's 70
rived to them from the further continuance OF tue =;
and ALLEVIATE their affections from IL Were e. mere
single instance to suffer itself to be imPeed oy me-
feeling in one portion of the Union, 10 attehp in
cation of that feeling at the sacrifice OF TUG ro can
teress and most sacred rights OF another ;ft
dopbt thnt the Union would be seriously enoans
JootraaI p ,I;, conclusion does not depend upon
Reasoning alone The evidences o. p;n. V"nr COM.
this point are equally abundant ana decisive ,
mse having already od havs wished to connc it, will
nter into mn details upon this portion Of their duty
Snfca Il 10 saw that the Legislatures OF SEVERAL not
of all, the suveholdng States, nave soemhy rssosea
Gb slavery in the District of Columbia. IL would be ut
tery impossible therefore, that any such attempt should
be made by Congress- without producing an excitement
and involving consequences, which no patriot conte
ulae without the most painful emotions. Itwoud be re-
parded by the holding States an entering "ede
10 scheme of general emancipation: aud, heieore' zen"
10 produce the results, in relation to the Feoeia!
Government and the Union, that would be ProouGea ~
the adoption of any measure directly affecting the do
nestle institutions Of the States themselves Aouf COM
mtee viii dwell upon the picture that IS mas pre-
scented to their minds. The reflection IL e3c''eS 70 one
of unmngled bitterness and horror IL Is one tney
trust which is never be realized Looking upon their
beloved country it stands, the envy ana adhra
ton of The world contemplating, as they ao ial uhiI
vailed Constitution, by which beauteous iahy o! co
federated States each independent in its separate sphee
revolye around Federal head, with all the harmony ana
regularity of the planetary system; ana knowing uS
do that under the benefcent influence OF our Tree insi
tutions, the people OF this country ENJOY OF u
berty prosperity and happiness, not only unP"ssessed
but scarcely imagined, by any other upon earth; tey
cannot and will advert 10 the horrors or depict e
consequences of that most awtu! day, when the sun u
American freedom shall 60 down ~ piooa' anu no."s
remain of this glorious Republic but the becding scat
tered and dishonored fragments. II would ihoeeo "e
the extinction of the worlds last hope, and the uoee
of tyranny over all the earth . ;c,;
But your committee feel, that with these Paniu! I'M
pressons on their minds, they would but inPeriecuy
discharge their duty if they did not make IN earnest a
pea, TO the patriotism Of the American feoPle 10 sustain
the resolution adopted by the House. An9 they woula
also appeal to the good sense and good feelings OF that
portion of the abolitoniss who, acting under mistaken
sense of moral and religious duty, have embarked IN
this crusade against the South soenny invoking em
in the name of our common country, 10 Soslaih 'ro"
system of agitation which has not only failed and will
always fail 10 attain its ohccts but has even brought
the Union itself into state OF imminent and fearful
peril 1t is confidently believed that this appeal will not
be made in vain and that hereafter all who truly love
their county will manifest their patriotism by avoiding
this unhappy of dscord and disunion and that
they will make further exertions upon subject from
the continued agitation Of which, nothing but augment
ed evils cun result.
Your committee conclude by reporting the following
resolutions conformaby to the instructions given them
by the House:
esolusd, That Congress possesses constitutional
authority 10 interfere in any way with the institution Of
slavery in any of the States of this Couiederacy..
Rcsotoed, That Congress ought not to Interfere IN any
way with slavery in the District of Columbia :,
And whereas it is extremely important and desirable,
that the agitation of this subject should be finally arrest
ed for the purpose of restoring tranquility to the public
mind, your committee respectfully recommend the ad0p-
ton Of the following additional resolution, viz.
Resolved, That all petitions, memorials, resolutions
propositions papers, relating in any way, or to any
extent whatever to the subject of slavery, or the abo
ton of slavery, SHALL without being either printed or re-
ferred be laid upon the table, and that further action
whatever shall be had thereon.