Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-02-06


lrc can no otherwise ~ conferred Congress than by
an amendment Of the Constitution of the u States.
But pendenuy Of this view OF the subject, (AIi
Leigh said) there other objections the conpe-
tence OF ongress exercise the power in question:
winch seemed 10 him nsIPeiabe and conclusive What
ne asked would be the effect of the abolition of slavery
In this District and what was aud be- only OBJ
Jcct OF such measure? To the consequences he sup
posed would affect 10 be blind: LARGO body of
Tree negroes would at be established i'm the midst
OF two OF the principal slave holding States the District
would become the receptacle in which other population
OF the same class would be cong regaed these
people, from their position, would necessarily have OPP
poluniues OF daily intercourse with the slaves of the
TWO adjoining States, OF holding out 10 them every
'e 10 revolt, melting them TO continual and dangerous
instructions, and supplying them with the means of
wayhg serviie war against us And as to the object
aud design OF the aboltonss i'm urging this measure
1t could not be dsg abolition i'm this District
snot sought as end but the of in
oer aud lar greater enterprises, that their purpose
20 gam point, and most commanding point too from
whlcn they might prosecute their schemes of abolition
hrs IN Maryland and Virginia and then regular pro-
cess IN all o.her save holding States
IL VAS doubtless, the conviction that these mischey-
GUS uesiSns were tained, aud of the danger
Gus consequences that would probably, if unavoda
oy, ehsue from The accomplishing OF the immediate OBJ
Jeet winch produced opinion in the Senate
that II would BE- mpotc, unwise and unjust TO abolish
slavery in tins District But the same considerations
mr. Leigh thought, must lead to the conclusion
lhat II was unconstitutional also contrary TO the
spirit, 1t not TO the letter of the Constitution. lie
had always supposed that, in giving power call out
'ue ui'a TO suppress instructions, the Constitution
made 1t the dnty of this Government to exert the
power Tor te suppression OF servile Instructions any
OF the States; and he asked whether IL could possibly
be maintained that Congress could constitulionaly
adopt any measures of which the manifest and acknow
iedged tendency, the certain effect was To ncite
uOse very serviie insuirecons which the Government
was under constitutional obligation suppress? II we
could mol look for limitation the powers vested in
government, IN the obligations imposed upon it, where
could such limitations be found? Again II was admit
ted, aud had always been admitted that Congress had no
power TO abolish touch slave property in any of the
suites nut here was measure proposed TO us for
adoption, which, did not indeed directly abolish slavery
III any OF the States, but which was nevertheless the
most eiicent measure that could possibly be de vsed 10
BRING about, aud in fact 10 compel general abolition in
the slaveholdng Statesa which for that reo
son, the advocates of universal abolition most ar5en
desired as the means OF accomplishing their avowed pur
pose And the question was, whether it was within the
competency of Congress to adopt such measure whe-
tner while acknowledged that il could not without vi
oatng It's constitutional duty the States
accomplish the end ii might yet authorize and provde
.ne most eihcacious means of ultimately accom- ishing
NJ MIR L. said, II was principle of an ethcs-t was
Pihcipe especially applicable and valuable i'm the nd
mlnistraon OF all Governments of limited powcrs-thnt
that which cannot be lawfully accomplished bv diTcc,
means cannot rightully be attempted by any manner of
indrection. "
lie said there were other objections TO the conno,r
OF Congress to abolish slavery in the District which 10
should orbear to urge, because they had already becn
enforced by other gentlemen in the debate lie had
only TO add that, IN the science of government MS well 40
IN aw' all powers were trusts aud if in fair consruc
ton, grant of power might be extended beyond IL
s'rG hera import TO reach the exgencies of the trust
so also should powers granted in general terms bc limited
ny due consideration of the purposes of the trust for
winch they were conferred. He remembered many in
stances in which construction and inference boJ -
10 (and some IN which he thou ght they had Leen
pushed to eXtremes) for the purpose of enIargin Tho
powers delegated to this Government but he knew of
no Instance hitherto, which they had been od,it,J
when resorled to for the purpose of imposing li,n,'
tons F's ii'"'u'-
And now (said MIR L. have to call the attention Of
e senate To another topic, 10 which feel myself bounJ
TO advert, and yet approach it with sense of main
mentioned the other day that l. had received nam
phlet purportng TO be a commentary on hook rop,I
md
extracts from the book which afflicted and alarm
ed me nave since read the book itself; its lille
IS slavery, by William f.. Claiming" printed NJ
Boston, 1888. And must say that / have neysr |
risen from the perusal of any book with E,nlin, 81
deeper sorrow 1t has had the effect of weakeninn
tne cheI remaining ground of hope in nv mind |
Gat the ncendiary schemes of the abotonsts in Tho
northern States, the system of agitation they had or
ganZed, the war they kindling against The mace
and happiness Of the South and the harmonv r. 3d.,
Union, would be efectuaIly counterocted mi -,
pressed by the efforts of our .ow.cit;1,n ~ Up
hoh-saVe-holding States themselves for whether |
consult my heart or understanding had mucb r,tLa-
couneracton and suppression should be their work bo
energy 10 avert the danger The hope that the lepisa
tive authorities of the .hodinq S,otos $50
anu ADOPT measures to suppress and punish the
conspiracy Dor such IN truth il is which has been form
ed against us, and which political ,L
mem serve to make more Formidable has been lone van
ing and is now almost gone. NV chief ero1nd ar
wise, and influential men; and the good sense us,c
ana patriotism OF the great body of the people in the
lanun
the wicked enterprises of the abotionsts and tho ue
more wicked means By which they arc working co1IJ
not ail To produce state Of public opinion that vonIJ
aohe suce to lay the cvl spirit Of agitation and re-
store The South TO quiet and confidence i'm fbe Ioy
atty OF our Northern brethren their social relations
win us And, I'LL saw this book this hone had rnt
o'en disappointed. have intimated this before and /
am most happy TO repeat it, But here is book ppbsb
ca by Dr. Channng-a man whose former publicnt;ons
nave taught me to admire esteem and rcsnect -,
man eminent for his learning and abilities and venc
pie Tor ms piety, minister of the Gospe foo ,b,,
Whoh mere IS none more popular; person wbe on all
these accounts, IS likely 10 have and dc am ri,ItIy
ot) uoes ia TACT possess, the highest influence over
lne pub!ic mind; a book written BY DR. g. of which
the principal purpose apparent every pace md nd
avowed, - to couneract the efforts of others Ia ~
excitement IN the Southern States, by remov;n tJa
causes OF irritation; and to encourage the aboonist
~ eictG'e ~ lner designs only counselling them 20
exercise the wisdom of the Serpent for he cer,,;oy
,hnhs them not wanting in the meekncs Of the TovS
say ms purpose TO counterfeit the efforts of those yb
are endeaVorug 10 put down the schemes of the ,,ol;
uoh'sts by embodyng public opinion into efficient nc
Ton against them, IS avowed; and appenl In the C,,
ing passage in which he declares The motive and Io,
of the publication 49,
My work is done. ask and hope for il the Divine
as lar as IT expresses truth and brentbes the
spirit OF justice and humanity If hove ,,r;,,,
thing under the influence of prejudice ,,ss;1, - y
Kindness to any human being, ask forgiveness Of cd
ana man. have spoken strongly, not In oA;snd or
gave pam but tn produce in Others deem convic,ors
corresponding 10 my own. Nothing but n lecIino
winch could not escape, Of the need Of such york ~
hIs very moment has induced me 10 fix INV ,,ougbt
on SO painful subject The few last months have H.,
creased my solic,tudc for the country Public cent;
meht mas seemed to me 10 be losing its heahrulpess
anu Eigor. nave seen symptoms Of the decline of
the Old spirit Of liberty Servile opinions ia 70 aJ
70 gain ground among The faith of our father i
Hee institutions mas waxed faint and is oivinp place 10
uesPar OF human improvements. | have perceived |