Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-08-02

aQcpteC, were passed,
most unqualified TERMS the principles and Conduct OF
the ahoIiLioniss, and calling upon all men who were
attached 10 their country and the union of the States, TO
resist er muchnalons. The sentiments of this meet
ing Mr. Van Bureb, in public and written declaration,
sanctioned by his approval and adopted his own AL
a subsequent time Governor Marcy, i'll his niessHge
to the Legislature Of New York, used The strongest
P'SsbIe language against the Abolition party, ana
Declared that If public sentiment wond mol put lhcn
down, the Assembly ought TO resort /" legislative
enaclncn;s to cArct that object TO this nr*sagr,
which tile OpPoStnnists themselves admitted I" liz
Taught "h sentiments Of lofty patriotism. devotion 10
III" Union. and proper regard TO the rights OF Tic South
The Legislature rrspned their entire approval especr.
ally to the part which recognized the right md rospcc.
tive prpficy Of restraining by law, nsurrec!nnafy ana
nccndiary publications. But Mr.. Van Burens senll-
mfntS on Abolition Go no! rest on this evidence, strong
as It ought 10 be considered His opinions we're fully
developed in his letter of the 9th vt March: 1880, 10
hrssrs. Junius Anis Isaac Hall and others, i'll answer
10 one from them, from Jackson. North Carolina.
is the subject We discussing is one of great i'm
Pnrtance and which opponents mainly rel IN
the warfare they against Mr. Van Buren,,
we deem proper insert the following extracts from
that letter:
"l am not only willing, but desrouz gentlemen, that
you should have the most thorough knowledge OF my
views and feelings upon hc delicate and interesting
subject with which your question is connrced and
shall cndearor to acGuaint you with them IN The fullest
manner in my power.
Not having heretofore had the honor of being in po
hcal communication with you, | AIN not advised whe-
Their The sentiments relating 10 it. which have been avo%
ed by myself and by my authority within the last two
years, have 10 your knowledge. | deem il, there
fore, proper furnish you with the substance Of hen
before reply 10 your specific inquiry Tie aVow
ais TO which refer,
lst. An opinion that Congress has right TO inter
ere in any manner any extent, with the subject Of
Slavery IN the States;
sd. Against the proprieiy Of their doing so in the
District Of Columbia and
he ST mi Of I'M n
ic!s expressed by tie citizens Of Albany in public
meeting e most important OF which are MS follows, VIZ
THAT the Constitution of the U. S. carries with Il
ad usmcn nj all questions involved IN the deliberations
which led to its adoption, and that the compromise Of
interest. in which it founded is binding in honor
and good faith, Independently IF The jorcc q 0yreement
on all wifo live under It's protection ana participate IN
the benefits Of which it is the sourcc: THAT the rcla
ton Of and slave is matter exclusively belong
ing TO the people Of each Stale, within its own bounda
rs, and that any attempt by the Government or peo
pie Of other Stale by The General Government to
interfere with disturb would violate the spirit of that
compromise which lies the basis Of the Federal compact
That we can only hope to maintain the Union Of The
Suites by ahstaining from all interference with the laws
domestic pulley and peculiar interests OF every other
State THAT all such interference which tends TO a!lcm
ate one portion Of counr; mcn from the rest de-
10 Ire rOwned upon with Indignation by all who
cherish tie principles Of our revolutionary !at!ers and
who desire preserve the Constitution by the exercise
OF thai spirit Of anity which animated It's trainers: Il hat
lhcY deprecated the conduct Of those who attempt
nr 10 corrcc their brethren in other States into the aba
un of slavery, by appeals 10 the fears Of the master and
the passions Of the slave; and that they could not but
consider them dislurhcrs OF the nLc peace, and would
by all constitutional means, exert their influence to arrest
tie progress OF such measures : That whilst they
would maintain nviolutc the liberty Of speech and the
freedom Of the press .Iey consider I'd discussions which,
from their nature, tend 10 inilmc the public mind
and put in jeopardy The lives and property of our ieo"
citizens with every rule of moral duty, and every
suggestion O! humanity, and woad be constrained more.
over :" regard ii"se who, with full knowledge Of
their pernicous tendency persist III carrying them on
as disIoyal to the Union: That the people OF the South
you'd , treat Injustice il they ALLOW themselves to be-
e7e that the lew no interfering with The question
Of Slavery, acting in accordance with the sentiments
Of the North upon the subject: And finally, that they
made these declarations, TO their Southern brethren III
the same spirit Of amty which bound together their IA
Tiers and ours, during iong and evrnlul struggle Tor
Independence: and that they did, in full remembrance
of that association. plight TO them their faith TO
maintain in practice, far lies III their power what
lhsy had thus srlenn!y declared.
These views, thus expressed and sanctioned ny my
sell, appear 10 the whole ground, save the
abstract question which you have been pleased To call
my attention, and checrfully embrace the opportunity
you have felt it your duty afford me, 10 explain Iny-
sell fully that d!so As ANXIOUS as you can possibly
be- ali agitation upon this disturbing subject,
have considered the question you have propounded to
1r with sincere desire at the cOEcuson that
The subject, relation TO the Dist';o. Of rn"'nbia,
can be safely placed on the same ground on which
it stands in regard TO the States, VIZ: the want OF
constitutional power in Congress TO interfere III the
matter owe il, however, caudor 10 say 10
YOU, that have not been able 10 satisfy myself
that the grant TO Congress, i'll the Constitution, OF the
power OF 'eTcuyre legislation all cases whatS0crcr
over the Federal District does not confer on that body
the same authority over the subject that would other
wise have been possessed by the States OF ha! land and
Virgina; that Congress mg ht nol in virtue tnrrco',
take such STRIPS upon the subject III TINS District Us those
States might lhenlse yes take within their own limits and
with their rIrItS sovereignty.
:;'ihus viewing the matter, would not, from the
!rh,s now before me, fee! myself safe in pronouncns
that Cugcas oc9 possess the power OF interfering
with or abuslng slavery in the District OF CouI!ji
But, whilst such are my present impressions upu" Inc
abstract question Of the legal power OF CHngrcss-inl
pressiols which shall II all times be not only ready
but disposed surrender upon conviction oil elrorl
d. not hesitate to give it TO you my deliberate ana
well considered opinion that there uh"ctlnns 10 the
exercise Of this power against the wishes OF Tie slave
hnIdng Slales imperairs in their nHurG and 0bga-
tions in regulating The conduct Of public men, as Mc
most pnp0Jic 'raHt u constitutional F0rcT c0"!d &C.
"You have alluded in your letter, to the conspicuous
situation in which have been placed before the public,
and take ii for granted, that it is to that circumstance,
rather than any other, that am TO ascrbe The solicit
tude felt by yourselves and your fellow Citizens III res
Dcc IN my views this subject gnlze, TO the lul-
est extent the proprcty OF this desire your part: and
although there nothing in your letter making the
avowa necessary, prefer that not only you but all The
people of the United States shall understand that
ii the desire Of that portion OF them winch IS aTuTa-
bic to my elevation the Chief Alngstracy, should be
cratticd must go into the Presidential Clair, the IN
flexible and uncoInpromsng opponent OF any attempt
on the part Of Congress IN abolish slavery III tie Dis
Lricl of Columbia against the wishes Of the holding
States; and also with the determination equity dfcdcd,
to resist the slightest interference with the subject in
The States where il exists In saying this. tender nel-
Their to them you any pledges, but declare only
settled opinions and convictions OF dnty Those who
doubt that they will be carried INTO fall and fair eject,
are under no ohligal An opportunity is
afforded them exercise their free choice in the matter,
and they may be assured that there is no one less likely
to complain Of its exercise than myself
"rhs peculiar importance Of the suhj"ct and desire
(Which YOU will allow NE to ceD that my views of It
should be correctly understood, make it proper that
should explain the grounds Of the opinions above ex