Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-01-05

osTn"n lenoue in about one half of which States, the
institution Of Slavery not only exists, but its legal ex
stcnce is soemnly recognized and guaranteed by their
compact of union Yet in the face Of this compact, and
the clear and distinct admission, that the nonslave-
holding States have not the slightest right, either con-
additionally otherwise to interfere with inns hsttu
ton the incendiay associations are tolerated or
permitted to exist within their limits the object and ends
of which only strike at the prosperity and happiness
of eleven States in the coniederacy but at their very So
cal existence.
Painful as it may be, it's impossible to disguise tue
fact that this is condition OF things which cannot III
the long rum be permitted to exist Every wise instinct
of SELF preservation fobids it, Let it be admitted that
the three millions Of free white inabants IN the slave
holding States amply competent TO hold in secure
and pacific subsection the two millions of slaves which,
by the nscrutabe dpcnatonS OF Providence have been
placed under dominion. Let 1t be admitted that, by
reason of an efficient police and judicous internal legs
lation we may render above the designs of the fanat-
c and incendiay within own limits and that the tor
rent of pamphlets and tracts which the Abolition presses
ofthe North pouring forth with nexhaustibe
piousness, is arrested the moment it reaches our from
tier. Are to wait until our enemies have built up,
by the grossest Misrepresentation aud faisehoods
body opubic opinion against us, which it would be al.
most impossible to resist, without separating ourselves
from the social system OF the Of the civilized world:
Or to sit down content because from our own vi
GLANCE and courage the torch Of the ncendry and the
dagger OF the midnight assassin may never be applied:
This is impossible. No people live in Of per-
petua excitement and apprehension, although real dan
ger may be long deferred. Such condition Of the pub
sequently prove essentially injurious to the pros
perty of community that has the weakness to suffer
under perpetual panic. This would be true, if the
of this excitement proceeded from the external
hostility Of foreign nation. But how infinitely nte
resting and momenous the consideration becomes, when
they flow from the acts and dungs octizens Of States,
with whom we are not only In amity but to whom we
arc bound by the strongest bonds Of common union,
which framed to promote the happiness, peace,
curity, and protection of ALL
We have, therefore, claim on the Governments Of
the holding States, not only moral and social,
but of indispensable constitutional obligation, that rHIs
NUISANCE SHALL BE ABArEp. They not only it to
US but they to themselves, to that Union whose
shrine they have often offered up the highest pledges,
by which man can plight his temporal faith.
Your Committee would be inclined to recommend to
this Legislature make explicit demand the
saveholdng States, for the passage of penal laws by
their Legislature, providing for the punishment of the
atrecous conspiracy against right Of property and
life But aS:-dai confdel3,, fraternal feeling, and
the comfy which belongs social and political rca.
TONS forbid for moment to doubt that every cf
fort will be made by the States whom this appeal is
refersble to meet not only just expectations this
subject but every emergency which belongs to this crisis
Of public peril Indeed, when we remember the strong
demonstrations of public opinion, which presented
at various gratifying public meetings. which held
during the last summer throughout the sa chedmg
States denouncing an-socal aud unconstitutional,
the proceedings of the fanatics and ncendaries when
we remember too, the avowal, universally made by the
public press in those States, that and overwlelm
ing majority oft their people viewed such proceedings
With horror and detestaton we cannot but believe thai
every rational expectation which the slave-hodine
Stnes cherish this vital question, will be cheer
fully met and responded to by those on whom we have
s9>hinvolable claims.
concur entirely in the view which our Exc
s.. takes of the grounds which our rights to dc
naId the enactment Of such conservative Legislation
rests.
Apart from all those obligations resulting from th
constitutional compact, which unites these States
which make it The imperative duty of one raembe
Of this confederacy, not to allow its citizens to plo
against the peace, property and happiness Of anothe
member, there principle law better es
tablished than that among foreign nations sucl
atrocous abuses are not to be tolerated. except ut the
peril ofhas high and ultimate penalty, BY which brave
and free people vindicate their rights
Your committee are aware, that it hos been said tina
no legislation be adapted to arrest the proceedings
The Abotionsts by tenon holding States, wthou
violating the great principle of the liberty of the press
We consider that this objection rests gust ounda
tier There is certainly some difference between the
freedom of discussion and the liberty to deluge friend
81 and eotermnous State with sedtous and incendiary