Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-01-19

bu: due lrutland fraternity to declare our belief (and
we think we speak the sentiments q the undivided
Souh that he onion cannot be preserved except by the
speedy adoption and eiicacous enforcement OF such
laws as will silence the presses and shield from the
the sinister Vaccinations Of the incendiarcs."
Loats0--" lnstructs her Congressman and requests
other Southern members their seats upon dis
cusson OF the slave questonand that the If the
Northern Aboltionsts calculated with uncrrng GER
tanty, 1T not speedily checked, TO result in dsunion
Henry.-" That in the event of discussion of the
Abolition of Slavery in the District Of Columbia or the
Territories being pressed by majority of Congress- our
Representative is hereby instructed to return Forthwith
10 his constituents"
HddicseEss That while we are ardentlv attached 10
the Union and entertain great regard for the great
OF our Northern brethren, yet we Compelled by
rat OF anatcism is permitted TO continue its
unchecked and unresained, shall be ultimately
| ed to break off all connection with them"
You see, sir, said MIR. p, that they do not confinc
themselves to requesting the Legislature to act upon
this subject, but they go further and request only
the members OF Congress from Virginia. but every me
Der from the Southern States, leave their seats and
return to their constituents, in the Abolition of
Slavery should be insisted on Sir said MIR p 1 have
always understood that of the means by which the
Union might be dissolved, by the members of Coz
gress from section of the country refusing retain
their seats do not know what others may consider H.
but should suppose it formal of secession con-
slider this call for the members TO leave their seats as
proposition for the dissolution Of the Union by an act of
peaceful secession. 1t has been said by high func
tonary of the General Government--the gentleman
from Goochiand, and you too, MIR Speaker, am sure
| know who i mean-that secession by military force ia
treason. This retiring of the members of Congress from
their seats although peaceful in its origin be sus
tanned by military force the end And shonld l;k
TO see the doctrine that it sustained against
Virginia any other of the States which should see m
10 Withdraw ITS members from Congress The county Of
Mddiesex recommends the proprety of so dispos of
the military and other of the State as 10 be
prepared Tor any emergency that may arise and the
county oil Goochland and some others have also made
The same recommendations. 1t is impossible that all
this preparation should refer any danger TO be feared
| from insurrectonury movements amongst the saves
Tor the ordinary means of the State would be sufficient
l trust to keep down any such outbreak II cannot be
from any fear of serve war; that these portant pre-
paraons are demanded They must look TO a NOR.
awful conflict consequent upon secession of the Son
ern States from the Union; event which must newt
ably involve resort TO force. that event is far
distant " 49,
Mr. Speaker, this is new question was many
years since an actor in scene which shook, than
any other occurrence OF my life, my affection for our
Northern brethren actor in the STRUGGLE mon
the Missouri Questior-and remember we'll the MIC
lures which were then drawn of Southern slayerv the
SANDERS upon the South calculated work on the mas
sions OF tho Northern people, which were then mi in
circulation. dissolution of the Union was then spo-
Ken OF freely What then, said the floor of Con-
gross by Northern membcr'-lha if separation took
place. the old banner of the stars and the earle wonld
sun De the standard OF the Morrill, while the emblem of
that oil the South would be manacled slave And re
collect the answer given TO him by Southern States
man and orator MORE in strain of sucb cu,,;n
sarcasm, that presume the gentleman whom il was
addressed still bearo 1t in remembrance have an
tract from letter of Mr. Jefferson upon this subject an
individual whose authority presume will be received
by the Democratic Republican party II is as foows.-
This rnomentous question, like re-bell in the noht
/ rod NJ
once as the kne 9th Union 1t is hushed indeed for
the moment; but tins reprieve only not fipnI sen
tence: geographical line coincding with marked
PRINCIPLE moral and POLITICAL conceived and held
up to the angry passions of men, will be ob,erat
ed and every new irritation will mark it deeper and
deeper" '''
What, MIR. Speaker, the great geographical limo
then drawn 1t was line created by desire TO retain
power Its OBJECT was to prevent the increase of the
power OF the Southern States. The Northern noli,i-
clans would not attempt amendmenfof the Const;,
ton OF the United States deprive the Southern
nj fhaIr
ence IN the House of Reprcse natives because ,ba,
would have resulted ia breaking up the Coincidence
But the admission of Missouri the Union offered a
aVoaoe opportunity to prevent its future increase so
lar as regarded slave representation Permit me 10 read
an extract from one OF the speeches of Judge Baldwin
OF fennsy lvania on that question:
- hope this may be the last time we or this nation
shall be agitated by the discussion of implied movers
The consequences of this have become serious and will
not subside 1t confined to the admission of
Missouri but has led to the most dan0erons of ali do
cisions-ioca ones The question has, in the public
n'hu oecoms one, involving not so much slavery but
slave representation Even here the principles contend
ca ior lead TO emancipation though their application to
atiye bodies, the ground is openly and publicly taken
tat there is no slavery in the United States Eminent
me OF The New York Legislature have declared all
the blacks free that the Supreme Court would declare
them so. These gentlemen have been distinguished
nemoers OF TINS House. aud may be again. The Legs-
ature OF New Jersey, have, in their instructions to their
delegates here, declared that Congress ha,
power over the subject of slavery and that too
the clause of the Constitution relative TO mi0raton yc
which has been abandoned in this discussion as not am
thorising this restriction What security what pedga
can De give that these doctrines will be advocated
within these walls? 1t requires but one election TO
cure such change will make the question moi re-
stricon but emancipation. Once begin TO lepislae on
TINS subject, like all constructive powers thew will be
progressive. Implied powers never retroorade Once
break through the Constitution, and resort to abstract
principles for rules of construction and the
winch separate the powers of government and there
IS no safety or security Foundations are broken nm
the common bond which unites us is dissolved
when the Constitution 10 be law for us-
eofsp Re
sured sir, we cannot stand many such shocks as this
tna TINS Government continue if this doctrine
OF construction Is once established the precedent once
made the series of legislation begun on the subject
OF slavery In an old State organized Territory Won
VIII not stop short OF universal emancipation The
greatest danger In federaye Goycrnmen nj s from ITO
growth of power-the effects of consolidation bv the
gradual extinction of State Rights and SoyereiGntv-
emPhaticay when the apology for their
is the cause OF humanity When this subject which
now agtaes and ccnvoses the country was started by
men whose objects avOwedy political il caused no
exclement-it was put down by the almost unanimous
voice OF the people: It's with other vowed
motives and half of the Union is arr.ved aooinst
the other Constitutions necessary to restrain bad
men IN bad times; the good the vrtuous may follow te
impulse ct bencfcence.But who are bad men what
are bad times History tells that all nations have
seen thenbut 1t is after the have pissed awaV:
those who administer government never ack noVledge
themselves bad, or the period Of their dominion bad
one" W
so II is now, described by Judge Baldwin 70 have
Desh then Tins line REFEREED to by Mr. Jefferson has
been drawn; other avowed motives than political ones
nave been called IN TO aid the present attack upon the
South Appeals have been made TO religious feelings
and an attempt has been made to enlist them in this
cause, and thus mix them up, with claims 10 politca
power. And unless as Hiroinia