Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-01-23


had attempted to exhibit from the iusulied and pc.
nerous indignation of patriotic people, who wish
ed TO preserve the peace of the country and their
obligations to members of the same coniedc-
racy. That active and daring band of these ncen-
diaries existed none could doubt but that they formed
very small portion Of the great of the Northern
people not only had the of public meet
ngs which had assembled almost throughou that quar-
ter attended by the most respectable and distinguished
citizens, but had here, but time since, the
declarations of many of the Senators from the nonave
holding States that this class of individuals was
small and that they countenanced by respecta
Bile portion OF those States He had been assured
ms arrival here, by gentlemen representing the Northern
States, That AN abolition discourse could not bc de-
hvered among those whom they represented, without
cndangerng the safety of the person attempting it,
In addition to this, he would say. that the action OF
the Federal Government through the Post Office De-
partment protective of the rights of the South
against incendary publications. Ii Posmasters to the
North and South did their duty, sanctioned by the
head of that Department, these enemies of Govern
ment and of the human off from crculat
ing through that medium their FIRE brands of mischief
throw The door TO discussion this subject,
thus asss; in exaccIbating feelings which had already
been enough excited lie thought it only necessary
contrast the proceedings of Senate the petition
to which he had before alluded, and which had been
iad on the table, by the unanimous vote of the Senators
present. with the proceedings of to-day to show the de-
cided wisdom of taking tie relation the
present and all similar petitions The petition which had
been quietly nurned by the motion to lay the table had
scarcely been thought of heard of since consigned as
1t had been, to the insgnifcance and contempt OF mo
lying neglect and want onotice What was the fact in
relation 10 the proposed mode of rs to The
present petition? The Senate had already found itself
engaged in a debate which no one could foresee Tho d
rection OIL thus producing agitation and dignifying with
undeserved, and doubt gratifying notorety 10 the
fanatics miserable effusion which but for this proceed
ing, would have fallen into obscury and contempt He
Ir b. had nothing TO ask from the North as one of the
Representatives of Southern State more than we wero
entitled to, under the compact with sister States
and from that feeling of aterna regard which for ma
ny purposes, made us the people He however
was disposed to act upon this, upon all other
slons, IN that spirit of Cancellation, in which our Federal
Government had originated and lcitout ioich it could
not survive lie would quarrel with gentlemen
so Tong they took decided ground against any inter
ference this question: If they should differ as TO
some abstract questions in relation 10 it, He believed
sincerely that the almost universal sentiment of
me intelligent and respectable portion of the North was
against any interference either the District of Column
ba or elsewhere this delicate subject In this feeling
OF confidence he was in favor of clngng the Union
oil the States as the great of safety happ
ness, and liberty He would not for moment believe
that either OF the great sections of this country would
SO lar forget ITS Just obligations to the other by such
outrage upon its constitutional rights would end in
the overthrow of Government, by the united va.
loI and patriotism OF their ancestors.
Mr.. Leigh thought il important that the constitutional
question on this subject should be distinctly understood
and expressed He had said the other dav that no had
conversed with intelligent man from nnv NJ
the non-save holding States, whose opinions on This
subject were calculated to give him dissatisfaction
He made this declarations because he thought it was
calculated to give gratifying the people
he represented, and 10 produce sautary effect i'm the
South Since then pamphlet had been put in his hands
puTPotng TO be review of another pamphlet written by
clergyman of great learning and piety, whom he bad
always been Taught TO respect There extracts in
that pamphlet calculated deeply to inure the eeingS
OF the South This gentleman at one time reside5,
OF the Commonwealth of Virginia. and ought to have
known the state of her society better vet il
him that the mind of the gentleman was entirely poison
ed on the subject of slavery and if his confederation
thought as he did, this agitation which the gentleman
fom ~ u, (Mr Brown deprecated so much had already
commenced TWAS in vain for gentlemen to deprecae
agitation, when it already in existence.
Give me leave 10 say the gentleman from North Ca,
rona, when he calls these abolilionsts contemplate
and says That they have of doing mischief Thai
dTer with him toto eatO In that gentleman love for
ihs nion-ln which the feelings of the heart, as well
as OF the understanding engaged he entirely CON
cured; and II because he entertained those FEELINGS
that he wished the expression of some opinion as Ia he
constitutional powers of Congress on the subject of o
very lie would not then pursue this subiectwhen il
up again he should be prepared TO enier more G
into The discussion. His object should be to conciaie
as much possble but not for The purpose of conca
ton wond he forego what he conceived be his duty in
urging upon the Senate what necessary 10 the
peace and tranquility of the South distinct express
sion OF opinion to the constitutional powers of Con
gress the question.
Mr.. Preston said there had been petition on this s,b
cct preseneda few days ago and laid the table He
was not In when was presented, and thinking it had
passed SUD sitento he had not thought proper to call il
! up The gentleman from North Carolina (Alr Brown
had SAID there disposition to rake from the Capu
let's for excitement upon this subject Did ibe
gentleman mean TO say there nothing peculiarly
emphatic In the Southern States TO require action by
congress: The Governor of South Carolina had re-
commended action Al parties there had been necessa.
rly disturbed. But the gentleman says BE quiet saw
nothing He the torch lit and ready to be appi
out We die 10 say HOtning. we Slanderous
uuons, lncendlary assemblies and threatening denun-
cations on all sides, and are told TO be Quiet
lie WAS astOnishcd. 1t might be- as in the remark
he had made before that this matter was mixed nm
with the poison OF politics The petition now before
Them was the very child of this poisonous subject
lie ielt with the honorable gentleman profound re-
spcct for the pursued by the gentlemen from
the North. He thanked the gentleman from PennsvI
wanna for the eprobaon he had given the petition here
presented He doubly thanked him. being, as he was
rom the Quaker State that he had seen what the gen
tIeman from North Carolina could not. We are lamelv
TO stand here, said MIR r., until the torch thrown in
upon us, and II is to be cxtnguished By invoking those
ngs OF every Legislature of the South had deeply regret
ted the movements Of the people the North If there
be fanatics, said Mr.. T., who willing TO lObt mr. be
Poitca torch OF unhallOwed partizanshp he would not
shruk nom the duty he owed to his constituents Re
would not so dishonor the State that had sent him there
MI. brown begged leave To say word more before
the question was taken. The honorable ee nteman from
- Carolina (Nlr Peston) had asked in a very enlnhai
&c manner, 81, when the burning torch was thrown into
tile House, he as Southern would not be readv
to extingush III lie would answer that he was ready
but he would also say that he not ready 10 pour oil
on Tue torch and increase the flame into a confederation
which might destroy the Union The honorabI, ,e,,Ia
man had said, that he would not have DISCHARGED H.,
10 The south had he not posed and proclaimed the dan
ger, and seemed 10 think him not vgilant enough he
cause ne dd not take the He was peIhaps
not gIted with the keen perspcacity Of the gentleman
from south CarOlInaj he admitted he unable 10 dis
cover the benefit that would result to the South or
any other portion OF the country, pursuing co,s
winch would lead to the discussion and agitation of is
SUBJECT mere Sir, the time has been when the hio mind
ed members IRON The Southern States ASSUMED au at
tmde mighty honorable this subject. What was il
hby, they declared that it subject on which they
wouId not tolerate the slightest discussion. That was