Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-02-13

nlOdcrn rcpuD1iCans cam
aunt ia behalf OF their Sa;e)-'' leg SLATE ex-
cusiyey ON the subject of slavery which IL tolerated
within ats limits We concedc that Congress, IN
oer the present national comFac has right in |
terlere with any OF the slave States in relation 10 |
inns momentous subject Docs the gentleman from !
Goochland aud his friends admit as much h.v tell
YOU IS true, sir that Virginia has this exclusive right
TO ieg'sate "oUer the slavesthe oce is rather
awkward, SIR And we are told, that any attempt to
vernnent, the other States, will regarded as AN in.
vas'on OF our rights under the Federal Compact'any
70 90 what 10 eh9nge the condition Of tte
staces says The substitute Is that ALL sir: Contrast
Language with that OF the Committee report What
does that report say Not that regard only at
tempt 10 change the condition Of the siares as Violation
OF our rghtsbut that call interference with the subject
domestic slavery, either by Congress- the States or
the People of the slave holding States would be
regarded violating rights Sir how narrow how
ee0ie how tame the restrictions which the gentle
man proposes to lay on the Abolitionsts! They may
reao lectures, sing psalms, form themselves into
cetes disseminate their ialacious doctrines of natural
equaltydo in fact, what they please but SO long as
uey 10 not attempt to change the condition of the
slaves, they have full license from this substitute
III now many ways, sir, may they endanger our
property, our peace, and our lives, without actually
getung up rebellion or " changing the condition OF
the slaves How many pretexts have they already re-
sorted to- by attempting TO elevate the social and moral
and religious condition of the negro race in America
by enightenng their understandings and teaching the
young idea how to shoot?" This substitute might be
adopted in every Legislature at the North-nay, Sir,
oy the Abolition societies themselves, mem con- with
out word of debate dissent Gentlemen can tell
US OF the dangerous tendencies of the Abolition debate
IN this nan, lew years but their resolutions
snhiar discussions IN every nonslavc holding State
Ihey place rights in such questionable shape as TO
invite discussion and dispuation respecting them 1t is
only te direct ocer act OF that depre-
Gated by the substitute. They may denounce the slave
holder as land the system of Sa.
very contrary to the laws of God and their notions
OF the rights of and interfere with domestic re.
Iaons IN thousand ways, if they will only live the
member from Goochland and his friends here 6y not
actually setting the slave freebreakng the letters from
ms hands. This is the language which gentlemen of
particular political complexion would have this Com
nonweath hold TO the abolitionists and TO the world
ihey would not hold these abolitioniss responsible
through their local Governments unless they will
pressy declare that what they shall say and do is IAN
attept 10 change the condition of the slave by
whom IS the attempt to change their condition be made?
By Congress, the States, the people of the States,
have shewn think, on former occasion that there il
no reason TO fear that Congress the State Legislatures
Will ever attempt to change The condition OF our slaves in
virginia 1t is from the citizens of the States alone
that any danger is TO be apprehendcd.
Mr. DANIEL said, if the gentleman from Albelnarle
would refer TO the resolution which he (r D. had of
iered inns morning, amendment the substitute
ne would see That this branch of the subject provided
Mr. WATKINS asked if the resolution of the gentleman
nom Campbell did not satisfy the gentleman from Abe
marie.
MIR. G. resumed No, sir-this resolution is quite an
othcr aiair II does not touch the subject; it more
tan we mad the other day. but I'll part of
your scheme presently my good friend from Goochland
promise you viii; 50 SIT still and be easy 1 am now
considering the first resolution of this substitute and
again ask what is that there deprecated assure
yon SIR IS only the attempt the part of Congress or
ihe state Legislatures To cmancipatc slaves The
substitute Tears nothing from the only whence
danger can or will arise the people at the North DO
gentlemen suppose that Congress the State Legisa-
tures will attempt to emancpae our sayes-to iurn,
AoohIon societies! Let US imagine the gentleman's
iavorlte State of New York. his favorite Cover
nor Marcy, or his would-he President, Mr.. Van Blu
rem, bringing tins subject gravely before their ASSEM-
DIED democratic wisdom at Albany-imagine that you
see all democrats there solemn conclave-that YOU
.he gentleman from Goochand enter with his resolutions
tey would tell him that they know better where their
bread IS butered than to attempt change The condition
% or STAGES by resolutions by laws No. sir there is
no danger OF the States doing this The parliament of
England has emancipaied the slaves in the British colo
mes but until the time shall arrveand come il may
sr-when Virginia is no more than colony of The En-
Pie 'Shte OF New York, such question: warrant We
wii never be moved considered in any LEGISLATURE
North OF the Potomac. We need fear nothing irom nv
government, II the citizens of these Governments will
let US alone Whence then, is interference be appre
hended From the citizens-and the citizens only of
e Notwithstanding States under shelter of their State
governments Now, read the substitute and tell me if
IL deprecatcs any thing but attempt change the con-
don OF The slave and that too in The only quarter from
winch such atIelhpt can never be made
Mn WATKINS here and asked the member from,
a. why there Vas no danger be apprehended from
the States Congress-the resolutions of the commit;
tee deprecated any?
Mn GiLMER resumed-I will answer my friend from
Goochand IN his iayorte Northern mode, by asking him
another question III there is danger the citizens
OF the Northern States who alone have formed these So
cietes, why does he omit To provide against it
am not responsible Tor the language of the committee
p"t IL Is proper, and the criticism implied i'll the gentle
man 5 question rs unjust. 1 not from how many
quarters danger shall be deprecated if you saw TO ali
the world, hands OFT! but do object the omission of
the only quarter from which danger may be expected
TINS omission Is worse than the surplusage of the COM
ntlee-and my interrogation has made that omission de-
hberaley. lie has provided with patriotic caution
against Danger where danger there none and failed TO
say word about 1t where 1T is. Now ask the gentle
man u he ever heard of 4 State Executive Judiciary
Legislative and all-lormng great abolition society =?
Does ne ever expect 10 hear of such thing? ask him
TO tell me why he has omitted include citizens of
free States IN his deprecaiion Mr. c. here paused f,
n tme-and then continued THE gentleman does not
seem so ready 10 answer questions was lust now TO
ask them
MIR WATKINS said Because il is supposed that the
citizens were under the control only of their own govern
hent lie did not agree with the proposition of the ma
Joriy hat any interference of the citizens was invasive
OF our rights, and violation of the Constitution man
might come from Pennsylvania or New York and steal
his (Mr VS. horse but would that be an invasion Of
The constitutional rights of Virginia; Certainly not
ihey ight demand OF the State TO which the thief be-
longed that lac should be given up and it that were re-
fused then the State having taken crime upon her
self, they might make 1T State affair The objection
OF the gentleman from Albcmae to the substitute was
not well iounded as in the latter portion they called on
tie states 10 prevent the movements OF tnese socies
Mr.. GLMEE. will ask my friend from CioochlanJ a
few more questions lie says he has alluded TO the
citizens at the North because he considers them auena
Die to their State GOyernm, nts--and yet he is not will
ling TO ask these State governments 10 project Ms
ing of abolition traets
Mr. WATKINS again explained, and read the substitcLe
coniendng that he had asked all the gentleman lfon
Albcmdrle required.
Mr.. GIMER. lie says he has asked the Norf, to IL,
something more than suppress the printing say sir
he mas not asked them 20 suppress these associations
w make good that position Mr.. G.. read the 5h of
Mr.. Watkins resolutions WIZ
D. KcS0i5cd That our sister non sla We holding 81 fss
are respectfully aud earnestly requested 10 ADOPT penal
engchnpnis such measures as will elIcfuaily e,r