Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-10-21

SlVely belonging 10 tne people OF eacn SIle, "ItliH ia
own boundary, and that any attempt by the Government
or people OF any other Stale or by the General Govern
meut, 10 interfere with or disturb it, would violate the
sp.lt OF Fiat compromise which lies nc the basis OF the
federal compact: That we can only hope TO main.
tain the Bnlon of the States by abstainine from all inter
ference with the laws, acnssstic policy, and peculiar in
tercsts of every other State ihct all SUCH interference
which tends to ALLEVIATE one portion Of our countrymen
tresn tie rest, deserves TO be irowned upon withfndig-
nation by al who cherish the principles of oar Revo!u-
tIonary fathers, and who desire to preserve the Consti-
tuition by the exercise of that spirit of amIty which ami
| mated its trainers That they deprecated the conduct of
these who are attempting to cosrce their brethren in
other States ineo the abolition of Slavery, by appeals to
The fears of The master and to The passions of the slave
and that they could no. but consider them as disturbers
Of tie pubic peace, and would, by all constitutional
means, exert their influence TO arrest the progress of sucIr
/ rreasu1cs: That whilst they would maintain inviolate
lhe i!oeTty OF speech and the freedom of TIE press, thsy
G9ns!deEed discussions, which, from. .hs3f nature, tend TO
end property of our lellow-cfH2ens: al war with every
ruie of moral duty ANA every Suggestion OF mummy
and would b. constrained, nIGreoveI, TO Ee9aFu 'hoS.'
! who. with a fnIi knowledge 0f thei. ::"::,:@::;5 S'%""..
ey, persist in carrying then on, as disloyal to the Union.
If any further evidence be wanting, OF his disposition
and determination to protect that pcc%!Iar interest OF the
slave. bolding States, 1t is to be found in the casting vote,
which, as presiding Office! IN tle Senate of the United
States, he gave in favor Of tia Dill 10 prohibit the circu-
lation through the mails OF ~incendiary publieations.-
This bill bad been demanded BY the almost unanimous
voice Of The SoutA-it was intended 10 prevent the cir
culation among vouI slaves OF those %Hrebrands thrown
among them BY lappan and his tanatlcal crew-ior this
bill Mr.. Van Buren, voted, whilst a recreani Senator
from Virginia, one who had previously irampled upon
one OF your dearest rights, recorded his vote against 1t.
Yet his enemies, and Southern men too, have the hard!-
hood, the ingrattude: to charge him witI Being an Abo-
hliunist. Where can you find a stronger expression OF
opinion, a stronger act, to disprove 50 base O charge?
Mr.. Van Burcn's opinions Upon The subject OF DIS
triCt Abolition have hecn equally the subject OF mlSrc-
presentation. 1t is true that Mr.. Van Buren, las said
I" have not been able 10 satisfy myself that the grant
to Congress, in the Constitution, of the power OF eek
elusive legislation in all cases whatsoever over the Fe-
deral District, does not confer On that body the same au-
lhority over the subject that would otherwise have been
possessed by the States of Maryland and Virginia; or
that Congress might not, in virtue thereof, take SUCH
steps upon The subject in shs District as these States
might themselves take within their own limits, and con-
sisicnlIy with their rimhL of sovereignty
This opinion, we would remaEk, has been beid ana eS.
pressed by many distinguished Southern statesmen and
slave. holders. But we deny, IN the most positive terms.
that it lus,ifcs the assertion that Mr.. V. Il. is IN favor OF
the abolition Of slavery iE the District. On the contra
~ bis letter to the North Carolina Wings proves that he
is as strongly opposed 10 ii as any Southern man can be-
He says -
" But, whilst such arc my present Impressions upon
the abstract question Of the legal power Of Consress-lm-
prcssions, which | shall ut all times be not only ready,
but disposed, to surrender upon CONVICTION OF error
do not hesitate to give it TO YOU as my deliberate anu
well considered opinion, that there are objections 10 lhe
exercise of this power, against the wishes OF the slave
holding States, as Imperative in their nature and ob'gG-
tons. in regulating the conduct o.! public men, az INC
most paipnbc rant If Constitutional pomtr 'cona DC.
what STRONGER directions to the exercise of the power
do YOU REQUIRE: If you conccde TO Mr.. V. Is. the pos
session of u particle Of common honesty, you must De-
lieye that he would be rs much restrained from eHerc's'
;n;ra mower by Hobiec. ons' which he declares TO be as
"iInpe ratiye in their nature and Obligations az the most
palpab!e want of Constitutional power would be-, as
lie would be if the exercise OF that power were clearly
unconstitutional. The man who would Disregard the
furcc Of such "obieclions,' wrnld pay but little heed TO
n the plain injunc!icas OF the CONSTITUTION Agu''' "i'
+, Van Buren, says
r A.. LA, S,,,nc shall Z, urIprStlQU. that II
:, the desire of that portion, of them which IS taVoraole
) to my elevation to the Chief Magistracy, should be
gratifeL, 1 must 90 into the Presidential Chair, the IN
=. texiblc and uncnmpromising opponent OF any attempt
on the part of Congress 10 abolish Slavery IN the us
t trio, OF Columbia, against the wishes ofthe Slave-iloIding
States; and also with the determination equally dectded,
{ 10 resist the slightest Interference with the subject IN
t tie States where il exists. 80, ,o
i Here you have an uneqaivocaII o PIe sibIe and nnco "a !.
e. into The Presidential char ."~ Il u e ,ha r,r,a r ConoFess
misinp opponent VI any attempt on the pat,o' ooHse 3
! ,n ,h17,ishr slavery in the District against INC WISHES u
The slave. holding States" as well as OF 's .Itttnmnu,
= ,iou equally decided; TO resist the sl'guSst interference
" Iii, ,In. subject in the States where EcXlsls.' Is not
= = this pledge Satisfactory: Could he have given you a
. more sacred pledge that he will, if elected, prevent, so
far as in him lies, any aclloa Of Congress- upon =.
subject. We call your attention TO one more atar '
. from this letter. MIR. V. b. sums up DIS oP'"'oh' III ''
r. following decided terms o
s. LIST. believe, that if it had been forcseep' At Inc ulho
/ of the adoplion Of the Constitution, that Inc seat u to
Federal Government would be fixed IN Il siaVe'hoiu'n@
: ror;op and TN the subject of slavery would be there
" ag1i,a,cd TO the prejudice Of those holding this sPeciesoi
e property, the right TO DO so would, with the assent o me
It non-slavc holding States, have been made an eHcePtlon
II to the unrestricted legislative power gwen |" S'"s'S"
over the District 10 be coded. :.
" 92dlv. / cannot but regard the agitation of this sub
iect in The District Of Columbia, as Il surprise upon -
Tneonle of MARYLAND and Virginia, being very con"ueiN'
that if the state OF things which DOW eXlsts, Iao oee"
at all apprchendcd by those States, inc ccsson " ~, .ha
District would not have been maze, except uPon .o
..,ress condition tia Congress should exercise no
d. ), and that with such Il condition the cession
&c S"ld in the then state Of public opinion, have peeh
10 rea5ily acce Pted. a.: ocl,,,
~ ~ in the District of Columbia, against the "is'eS %
Tho 81, ve. holding States, assuming that Con9less nae
the power to effect itO would violate inc SP'f'. u "A%
onrrorise of interests which lies ut the oasis OF our
r. social compact; and l am thorpugnIy consincea, .nat y
=, oo,,J ~, ho { r Inc. without imminent peril, If not GER
~ tain destruction. TO Inc un,ss.n oil the States, viewing
tle matter in this light, it, is my clear and settled op'A'?h,
tina, the Federal Government ought 10 ABSTAIN rom 90
Y, ing so, and tina, it is the sacred duty OF thoSe "hom NC
IS people of the United States entIust WIN lhe cohuo! -
i,s action. so TO use the constitutional power Win whlch
.. they are invested, as to prevent 1t.
II You here have Mr.. Van Buren's opinion that the abo-
u. lition of slavery in the District, would be a surprise upon
:, the people of Virginia and Maryland; that it would be
Al a violation of the spirit Of that compromise which lies
at the basis Of our social compact; that it could not DC
al done without imminent peril, IT not certain oestfuc-
D. ton 10 the Union Of the States; and thai II IS Inc
10 sacred duty Of those entrusted with power so 10 con
lis troll lis action as TO revent such abolition. Ian you pe-
Of Iirve that Mr.. Van Buren, would be 50 faise 10 every
re principle Of honor and Of patriotism, > 10 oe t.ees:oy
to to that surprise that he wonld violate nat compromise :
~ that he would peril, if no, destroy tina, Union: tina! no
As would violate e. the st saf = :t. r pit; Ss :s thus ss s,sa asy f 5i to s sSs.
9, be be- would sPs ND, place. a, is The D Eifeu:''F You can nc aHer You have
i: . ssIm i:1s "n} a de- tie H'i;;'i psro,sd DE s,'sae': ", Sh d We '
IS have laid before you; We hay? sh noo,n; You tina. M, . V "
nc &c - - D;s,rict Abolition" Which will you believe, his ez.
10 pressed opinions and solemn pledges, or the reckless and
~ pn(oynded assertions of his uncelenting persecu!ors!-