Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-02-27

atarS If the Slave. holding States, upon The most
qusiin'aLsr ground The press also, with scarcely an
exception. or with rxc"ptI"iiS ST. lew and I" such
character To place in sill stronger light Tie
universally Of the rule has denounced and reproduced
the objects und proceedings uf the Abol,onsls. Two
journals in this State (oslesbly POLITICAL and not class
ed among the publications issued by the antslavey So
cctics) the open advocates "r the abolition move
ments but they the dependents Of one Or two
individuals in their respective rcnrs by whose breath
hey exist aud for wIiiSe purposes Of mischief and IL"
torIty temporary being has brrn Conferred upon them
Bat the popular feeling las not been confined 10 the pro-
cerdlngs ut public MEETINGS, however nulnrrousy ut
tended by The predominant responsibility, talrn aud
moral, social and political inlur,rt; nor the press
however unanimous and l"cir in is language 1t l'nS
manifested itself in acts by tqulv"cal. The
abolition State Cunventiun which assembled some go
OF its followers at Utica, after mouths Of labor and dF-
ling and the publication Of unauthorized list of names
as approving and accommodating the convncall"n, was
interrupted and literally dispersed by the spontaneous
uprising OF the people, A similar result occurred ut
more recent attempt at agitation through an abortlve
meeting in northern county, (Washngton) AT this
moment, have no belief that meeting Of the abo''
tonsts, generally known such, could no held IN any
OF our large towns without sutecng its articip1tors
to the summary infections of The popular Indignation, or
ut least to torcbe dispersion Butt for the embodied eX
preston of the public sentiment Of the people OF this
State, can refer you to nothing explicit than the
recent annual message OF Gov. Marcy. Every woro OF
that docunen, devoted 10 this subject, - accordance
with the views OF nineteen twrncths of our population
exposition Of the popular feeling.
ILL., Win rcgurd TO Lfgislatre action.
II is not to be disguised that Il difference Of Union
prevails in this State TO the cxpediency Of Legislative
action in relation 10 the Abolionists beyond tie adoption
of concurrent resolutions
portion of our citizens believe that the public OPT
MON, already expressed with such potency and unan
mity will accomplish all the essential objects, without the
aid OF egsation-tha resort to the latter would lead to
the discussion of the question, in form that might
strengthen the abolionsts, and might be seized upon
by designing politicians The Of agitation
II would be unwisc to expcment upon any that
might change in any degree the sentiment Of abhorence
universally entertained towards the abolitioniss
that the enactment of penal laws in reference 10 the
publications Of the anti slavery societies. is matter Of
great dehcacy, liable to msconstrucon and perversnn,
and certain 10 invite the charge Of Legislative invasion
ofte guarantees Of the liberty Of speech and the press
that it would be hazardous 10 afford them The advantages
of any such position, either directly or by implication
and that II ght enable the abnonstS and their polti.
Cal allies TO change the issue before the people, aud
which all comprclrnd-a high of patriotism, love
Of union, and just appreciation of the rights OF the
sluvehoding States, against odlous and universally
| probatrd abOonsm-to question Of the abstract right
OF discussion and the freedom of Speech and the Press
These the views of portion of our citizens, whose
hostility TO aboi,ionsn, in every form and under all!
circumstances, not TO be questioned They entitled
consideration aud if did not believe That the ques
ton could be nct in form which, in the Judgment "f
candid and just men, would relieve it Of these lmplica
tons, should with them III the nexpedicncy OF
! resort to legislative cnacmcnts
These conclusions spring chiefly from the impression,
that the subject could not be reached except by such
restriction upon the right OF free publication, as would
be regarded might be easily tortured into an infringe
mcnt Of the constitutional guarantees This is an
impression, and is SoIegardcd by the Executive
and majority ofthe Legislature Gov Marcy does not
recommend specific legislative action; but he opens
the door to it-asSerng the ri ght the part OF the
Stale, and declaring that the obligations 10 its exer-
else have acquired additional force from the nature
and objects of the federal compact. Although rel yng
| upon the influence of sound and enlightened public
opinion to restrain and arrest The efforts Of the abolition
istS especially when directed, in this instance, with
unexampled energy and unanmity he nevertheless be-
lcvcs it TO bc matter Oi justice 10 our fellow citizens OF
the South and proper response TO the appeals OF their
Legislatures, to go far CO. under the Stale
Constitution in carrying out and enforcing the public
opinion by the Imposition Of penal restraints.
Bat care must be taken to present the matter for the
consideration Of the Legislature III form, that shall OBJ
viac objections from reasonable sources. Our Const
tuition declares, that "every citizen may rcc y speak,
write and publish his sentiments all subjects, bring
responsible for the abuse thereof and that no law shall
be passed 10 restrain aJrid the liberty of speech
of the press The passage OF laws. therefore, restrain
ing prohibiting the printing circulation of these
antslaveEy publications. in this State, is not, we think,
admissible position Such a course, aside from the
constitutional! objection would confirm the unticipalions
Of those who fear that Legislative enactments would
strengthen the Abulionss, and give the ncendary
few, weak and odious, the advantages OF Glamour,
excitement and the direct aid Of parsans who now
restrained by the force Of Tic public opinion .om assu
ciatng with them for the accomplishment of personal
political designs. 1t would direct the popular senti-
mrnt directed with undivided energy against
the Ahol,onists and their works, from lis present
object to question of constitutional right, under the
ntanma,"ry appeals and interested pcrvcrsuns Of 81.
mister politicians. But the evil may be reached We
think, without resorling to measure either OF qucs.
tonable constitutional power Of more than ques-
tonuble e1pedrncy. This right of free publication
and discussion, under the Stale Constitution, un-
qucstionably bounded by the limits which the
iItiO is lists
claim the right OF agitation and mischief, through thrr
ncendary publications. within the boundaries Of this
State the right certainly extends no farther They
quire no title to go beyond Unr bordrrs for the clrcua
ton of their MISSILES in violation Of the laws, and in de-
rogaon Of the rights and interests of other States. And
if in view Of the dangerous tendencies of these publca
tons, and the pcrncous consequences resulting from
their obrusun into the Southern States, the Legislatures
Of those States require they have dunr that the is
of the abolition press be confined within their
spcctivc States, it would not OIL within the
slltuonal power Of our Legislature TO prohibit their
culaon by any act Of our citizens beyond the limits of
State but lis bounGcn duty TO enforce the pro-
hibiton by legal cnactinrnts.
In this view, it is believed that decided majority of
the Legislature The subject has been referred
to JOINT Committee of both Houses, whose Report, it
may be antc paled, will cbody the strongest views Of
hostility the whole and objects Of the abo
onsls, and recommend The adoption oil such statutory
provisions their inccndiary abors, far they
tend from this State into other States, may TO
qurc. Circumstances may prevent such result; and
may limit the Legislative action to the adoption Of strong
concurrent resolutions Int trust it may, US think il
ought, assume the other form.
THE GOFERrOR-.7nd his Hhig Squire.
The decent Wing Of Richmond has poured It's vial Of
wrath upon head What care we for its abuse: AS
De Witt Clinton sad-"We know precisely what its
opinion is worth. The Of ample retaliation
in our hands, if chose 10 emplny them. We mi gh
scae the motives and conduct Of its editor. What
lue can set upon that mans opinions, who has
boxed the political compass-bcen every side Of
every uucsliun-ae1naeIy abused and praised eve