Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-02-23


slavery IN the ID Of Columbia When saw that the gem
tleman from Goochland had omitted the expression of
any OPINION upon this constitutional power almost liz
sunclvely REQUIRED to the fact that this omission was
calculated TO make the impression abroad that Vrpinia
agreed with Mr. Van Buren,. And let me tell the gen |
teman from Goochland, that will never compromise
constitutional prncipes-l will assert them and main
tain them at all hazards upon all proper occasions-and
upon no occasion, at time has il more important
10 make known the opinions of this Common wealth..
were 10 avoid this constitutional question now should
consider myself traitor Virginia and the whole South
warn gentlemen of the consequences of their course
Mr. van Buren, is their candidate Tor the Presidency II
ne should, unfortunately for the best interests of the
county, be elevated TO that high dignity let him teac
u win full and distinct knowledge OF the princi.
pes Oh virginia upon this aud every other subject.
10 not To secure his success, bring those principles into
doubt Take your President, but give To me fearless
aud honest and unhesitatng declaration of the consti
tntonal principles OF Virginia, of ner opinions upon this
question, and her unalterabe determination to maintain
them.
Mr. Parker then examined the evidence of public OPT.
mon IN relation to this question: and cited the authorities
VI the countes OF campbell, Fuyanna, HALIFAX Mecklen.
ourg Charlotte Greensvile, lse.o light, Notoway and
SPoisysana, IN their primary meetings, prove de.
mana on the Northern States for penal enacnents for
Tue suppression of all incendary publications; and call
ed upon members from those counties TO carry out the
WISHES oil their constituents And he continued-I put
70 Tue candour OF members from those counties say,
'hey VIII not contradict the expressed will of theii
constituents by vote for tue substitute of the gen.
ueman from Goochand. 1t does not request the
suppression OF those associations by penal enactments
as may suppress the circulation OF the ncen-
diary publications. conlempates nothing more than the
influence oil public opinion. do not know whether it
All abstract OF the views of Governor Marcy but there
singular concurrence Of sentiment between that mes
sage ana the sentemans substitute. hope, sir il is
not now out OF order refer to this which has
peen so vannngly presented to this House. When the
gentleman from GOochland, yesterday INDUCED in
strain OF giorcaiion of that message having not then
seen H. expected 10 find in all that the South could
ueSHe, was mlstaken--most grossly mistaken There
IS nothing IN 1t to cheer the hopes OF the South When
examined, we find no recommendation of penal enact
ents lie talks, it is true, very prettly about the mo-
"a, 90 ihnuence OF public opinion, and suggest the
General Assembly of New York. the propriety of ex-
Pressing iheir views and opinions, render this pub.
NC opinion more eihcacous. Sir, beg the attention
OIL me House TO this gloried" paper The Governor
says, " am fully persuaded that the powerful ener-
sS o puoc opinion as 1t has been called forth through
out the whole State, have already produced most sau
'ay elects IN discussing many persons who had ncon
Aboltonists.' - - $50
cause, see The Immense majority of the people of This
aie, including certainly proportonate amount of in
I nee nee ana worth and embracing of all sects
"u reHgons and OF all parties politics. are utterly and
rreconcaby opposed to then and that their measures
regarded with the deepest repugnance by all who af
cherish the union and harmony of the States
inciiuu'hg among them phanthropsts at least as en-.
snlened and sincere any of themselves they will il
c"hhdeny hoped be induced to pause i'm hei, career
,h ma 20 sacrhce on the altar of their country
e oPhiohs and motives which have hitherto prompted
eeih 10 exerons regarded with so much abhorrence bv
SO great majority of their ielow-cilizens
tod f 10 the Just influence which may be anteipa-
W. nun 'he sentiments OF the people so unitedly and
powerfully expressed, and rendered still mare e6cocoS
a mar Aey 'n'gn and Shod b. By the opinions and
"eF assembled representatives added The orer-
"MeMnS 'oegM Of He arguments addressed 10 the rea
san ana conscience Of those eho yet adhere 10 the aboI
toh cause, IT would be imputinr to them n deoor,bI,
Vi mental blindness and fanatical deluson not
% general abandonment of their wild schemes
All Out those who confirmed in fanatcism or rec
o. consequences, 1T is believed will be constrained
@ ue.Dea ana constantly Increasing force OF PUBLIC
10 give up their dangerous attempts to act unon
the institutions Of other States Those who NAV moi he
mus reclaimed or controlled will be too few i'm nnmber
anu ,nnuehce am PerSuaded to ezcite apprehension
what do you find here Sir, but the enunciation of
confidence that the moral influence ofpubc opinion: the
oaed views and opinions of the assembled representa-
"r OF arguments addressed to the and con-
science oil those who have neither nor conscience
VIII be sufficient to produce total abandonment of the
purposes oil the Aboltonists? Sir the decided
ana constantly increasing force of public opoon hns
had no influence upon these misguided wretcbrs H.
we not been told that their societies have increased win
IN short period from $50 to $50 And still the moral
influence OF public sentiment Governor Marcy thinks is
ailsuihcent. You no Recommendation of nen,i en-
actnents yet Let us pursue him further sRelyino"
he says ION the influence of a sound and enligLtened
P"ouc opin0n 10 restrain and control the misconduct of
the citizens of free Government especially when M
rected as has been in this case with nexa1,ped ne
gy ana unanmty to the particular evils under consdera
ana Percevng that Its operations hace been tins far
saiuGry, entertain the best hopes that this RENE.
dy OF ITSELF will entirely remove these evils or render
theHl comparatively harmless. No ~
penai enactments sill; and understand the lrcc
ana import OF language every thing here presented
TO dssuade from resort penal enactu,cuts Wbar.
dId MS exceency discover that the operations of puc
opinion have been thus far sautary' Did he find II in
the increasing numbers of the abolition societies? Sir
40 not know whether the gentleman from Goochund
hau oeen furnished with copy of Governor Marcy
message before 1t met the public eye. The sentiments
contained IN That message may have been so communi
Gated Tor has substitute responds fully TO
ne sentiments OF no two men nearly assiiniat-
ca without consultation.
But sir to proceed with this message "But if these
reasonable expectations should unbapply be disapont
ed 1t IN the face of numerous and striking xb'b;,;o
oil pubic reprobaon, elected from constituents nv
Just fear OF the fatal issues in which the uncured
Vi Tue aOoitionsts may ultimately end, any considerable
portion OF these misguided shall persist i'm pusb;n
lnen forward TO disastrous consequences then Gueeto
new TO our conederacy, will necessarily arise and nnst
be met IL must then be determined how far the sevar
states can provide, within the proper exercise of be
constitutional powers, and how far in fuflment of the
'l'gauohs resulting from their federal relations they
ought TO provide by their laws for the trial and nun
shnent by their own ludcaorles, OF residents within
ther limits, guilty of acts therein which are cacuoted
ana intended To excite Insuuection and rebellion ira n
SISTER state This power TO be conceded by the
message, to exist ia the States OF this Union Bai sir
power, ny lie Legislature? IL is be found no yher
~ TINS message; very far from it. When Sisas,rous
Consequences shall ensue from the act of any consider
ipe portion OF these misguided men," it must "lhen'
Iecohe-Whut srf Not the duty to pass laws to stay
heir progress but 20 determine how far the several
states possess the right within the proper exercise.
d Their constitutional powers" to pass such laws -
The General Assembly Of New York is not invited 10
pass laws 10 suppress these associations from which The
South apprehends danger; but we are eoldlv old a.,
% our coniederacy, will arise and must be- me, w.
r wnen our buildings IN flames and our wives and