Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-02-25

Nofth 10 crush the tratorous designs the abOl
uonsts, andthat we look with confidence to such
ments on their part, will eiectuay put AN end to
ianaca and dsloya interference with mat
tiers settled by the Constitution
9TH Resored, That hail the sentiments expressed
ey Tue resolutions OF some of the meetings the
Morrill, upon the subject OF abolition the evidence oi
the existence OF right spirit among great mass of
our Northern brethren, aud determination their par,
To discharge the duties imposed upon them by the Con-
sutution OF their country, and the cxgencies Of
times.
9th. Resored, That the District of Columbia and the
several territories OF the United States the
property OF the people of these Staes-tha the right of
exclusive legislation in the former and the power 10
make all neediu rules and regulations for the govern
nent of the latter, which vested in the Congress of
me united States, are derived from the Constitution
which recognizes and guarantees the rights resulting
IRON domestic slavery and that by that
body with those rights will be Unauthorized by, and
contrary To the spirit of that sacred character OF Amer
can liberty.
9th Resoired, That copies of the foregoing preamble
ana resolutions be transmitted by his Exceency the
PRESIDENT OF the United States the Governors OF the ie
specuve States and To the Senators and
oil tins State in Congress"
They take the dignifed ground that the people of
georgia are prepared to protect themselves They make
no appeals eher TO the North TO the South. They
ask Tor no legislation the part Of Northern bre
ren out express every confidence that they will do all
that patrotsm virtue and intelligence do the sup
preston oil the schemes that threaten the safety of our
institutions. Were TO consult my own vie WIS aud wish
es on the subject should prefer that Virginia should
assume the dgnhed and exalted taken by Georgia
think such stand to be in accordance with her
Character than that which il is proposed she should oc
cupy by adopting either the resolutions the committee
or OF the substitute.
am inclined to believe, that it would be best for us TO
make no appeals either TO the North the SOUTH
nat we should best guard and protect interests by
showing to the world, confidence in unaided
ability TO do My reading experience hay
taught me to believe, that Fanaticsm delights agita
ton, that glores in connection; and, much fear that
here is nothing which the States could do
better calculated stimulate the exertion of such
as 1arrison and Thompson, than to show them thus
v. hQV had fhntr
peace-hat there is nothing which could better atte
their vanity: give them satisfaction; add more fuel
to the anatcsm that stimulates their wicked designs
tan the idea, that their schemes should in few months
have agated the whole of this wide-sprea republic
have started the independent and sovereign States of
the South from their repose, and united them i'm a com
mon appeal to the North for Legislative protection is
much TO be feared oo that the passage of severe laws
IN the Northern States would have the effect of exciting
the sypathes OF great portion of the people, in behalf
OF The Abolonsts They may cry out that the freedom
oil Speech the liberty of the press are invaded and II
once mat cry hnds listening ear in the multitude ifhe
syhPathes oil the mass are made to lean 10 them
as prosecuted patriots, who falling martyrs i'm the
defence OF these great rights farewell our peace and
safety! Much doubtless may be done by wholesonennJ
saniary laws, but much must also be left the force of
public opinion. And we should cautiously abstain from
the adoption OF any measures violent their chaac
ter as TO weaken that force against our
IT, therefore, no steps had been taken by people in
ther primary assemblies indicating the course we must
pursue; 1t felt myself wholly untrammelled, by the
measures which the People OF Virginia. and arnony the
rest respectable portion of my constituents recon-
mend to our adopton should prefer adopt resolutions
somewhat similar 10 those passed by Georgia. in prefer
ence either to those OF the committee of the substi
tute But as the people have acted a minority of tho
Legislature prefer something like the resolutions last
mentioned IN obedience to the wishes ofthe people and
win desire OF preserving something like unaEnity in
whatever may be final action, had determined TO
vote either for the resolutions the substtue-And for
of the already mentioned and for others
winch shall proceed presently TO develope shall give
preference To the substitute
know OF no parliamentary rule that would compel
TINS House TO adopt the report of the Committee in pre-
terence 10 the substitute though the sentiments rx
pressed ia each similar. If the language of the
substitute was preferred, better expressing The senti
lnents intended TO be conveyed il would be legitimate
would be proper for the House express preference
by ITS vote. cannot how this House would de
grace ilseli by such vote; but how members
would degrade themselves, if, by such arpuments-if
by being 80 told they suffered themselves alarmed
inio The support OF any which did with
Their entire appreciation. The substitute is i'm NV opi-
mon, better State paper than the report Of the Com
lee HexPesses the same sentiments that each seeks
10 utter, IN better language, in concise less
ambiguous less liable To insconcepon. But il is not
only IN the language that the substitute possesses de-
cded advantage over the opposing resolutions of the
COMMITTEE The gentlemen who advocate the latter
present TO me most conclusive WHY should re-
Ject 1t, when they show that goes further than the
substitute, inasDuc have shown that that goes fur
her than do either OF sister States who acted
on The subject with the feelings prompt them
that should guide deliDe rations.
There are two Objectionable features however to be
found IN the resolutions OF the committee anu from
which ie substitute is free, which, the absence of all
other considerations would decide in casting my vote
Tor the latter.
The resolutions ask of the Northern States The mus.
sage ~ ha~S 10 suppress the abolition societies within
thrir limits whilst the substitute asks of them the adop
ton OF such MEASURES aoH ecctuaHy suppress them
here IS, 1t Is true, very great apparent difference
between the two demandsbut whilst the latter eyes TO
the Northern States discretion the use of the means
to suppress these obnoxious societies. by the former all
such discretion is taken away and penal inhibition il
dictated as the only means OF satisfaction prefer that
The means should be left entirely the discretion of those
who are to use them. not what means they think
proper to adopt provided they attain the end the SUD-
preston OF these societies. 90 far in making the de-
nand ut all but think they may well look upon our
course as dsrcspectul, when undertake TO dictate
the means, the only by which the demand can be
satisfied Ii laws become necessary for the attainment
oil the end proposed, trust that laws will be enacted:
but IT. by the force of public opinions any other means
our Northern friends may think proper to adopt they
can effect the end proposed, respect Them our own
interest demands that they should be left Tree to use
;hem
The second objection that occurs to my mind is TO be
found in the second resolution of the committee That
resolution among other things, Declares "that Him
reference with the subject OF domestic slavery bv
" The General Government, the other states or ,L.
4" Citizens thereof is invasive of the rights of the
States, and violates the obligations Of the Constitu.
4 ton. have already attempted to show to the
House, IN few remarks submitted some DAYS ago
lhal thls resolution was Objectionable in grouping the
Federal Government the States and the citizens thereof
IN the clausethat, whilst the cifiscns might be
guilty O violating the legations of heC Constitution bv
improper interference with this subject vet that The
violations by the ''otier States the Federal Co
Verninent, was one thlng-the violations by the ci
the compact, but the citizens except in their aggregate
capacity as forming the States, and the Fede-
raj Government is the agent of the States " hen
therefore, the SUITES or the Federal Government break