Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1839-11-12
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From The .ilbaau .jrrus

FROM INC .TOaRy 1TnkS
I IL Ma PAEKER's REPLY.-We publish the reply Of
Mr. Parker, of the Democratic candidates for The
Senate, TO The Abolition inlerogatores. Who will tail
10 contrast It's manly, above board and direct maEn'r
with The trucking efforts of hlessrs Humphrey and
Sanford, TO obtain The votes o! the Aboliiionists'
DELHI Oct 70 1899
Gentlemen: Constant engagements have hitherto pre-.
venea my answering your letter, proposing
questions connected with the object of the abolition
II slavery. trust, however, this answer will reach
in time 10 enable you make such of you
designed hen addressing me.
Your frs, question is" Are you in favor Of The pas
sage Of law in this State granting trial By jury 10
persons claimed fugitive slaves; III answer state
that The right of trial by jury in such provi
ed for by statute, you will perceive by reference
h' I'd vol. oi the Revised Statutes page 4G4 second
I'd ton II true these statutory provisions have becn
led br the Supreme Court uf this State 10 be uncons
tu'ional the ground that the subject matter
within The jurisdiction OF the General Government, and
has been regulated by OF Congress II the existing
law OF this State is unconstitutional on The ground
stated further legislative action in this Stale would be-
equally imperative II il is constitutional and valid then
further legislation is unnecessary am not called
express my opinion The cons,itutionsty OF tins
tur, would It be proper tor me 10 do Perhaps
Ought 10 add, that have objection TO the policy If
tins law as it exists statute book. Where the
question to be tried is IN issue Of fact trial by jury ~
A,e u Va" q ia,or s1ss q sursars
The holding in This State, whether by citizens
of our oN1 or Of o!herSlaes You do not call my aeD'
lion To any particular statutory provisions, and an al u
loss 10 understand 10 what law OF this State you r-'ef
am not aware any a~ of this Stale, which can InsiIv
b. said 10 authorize the holding OF slaves. he sA'h
and seventh sections o tile l. chap ~, part OF '"
Revised Statutes, PROVIDE ms follows;
'S6 Any person not being inhabtant OF this STATE,
who shall be travelling 10 or from or passing ihrongh
this Stale may bring with him any person lawfully held
by him in slavery aud may take such person with hiH
from this State: but the person held III slavery shh
reside continue IN this State more l'ian monh"'
md IT such residence be continued beyond thal uir,
such person shall be tree.
IS ANY person who or hose family shall reside part
Of the year in this State and part OF the year IN any
other State, may remove and BRING with him or thel"
from time TO ne any person hwiulIy held by him ~
slavery into ths State, aud may carry such person VIVA
him or Them out Of this Stale.
the contemplated by these sections the slaves
are held such by virtue Of the laws OF other States.
aud Of this Sato and the object o! cur Legislature
was only protect the rights OF travellers, and others
remaining temporarily in this State. repeal OF these
sections would operate most nlntiousy upon the int
Of the citizens Of this State, especially IN Their
CONNIE rcsl intercourse with the c,zens OF other State
1t would virtually Danish from tins State thousands OF
persons whom inclination, pursuit Of health or business
transactions, might Otherwise induce TO visit US and
would inevitably tend 10 encourage unhad and lbera!
feelings between cZrns OF different parts OF The L""n
For these opposed 70 the repeating OF ,heso
| sections Of the statute.
Your third question is as follows:"Are you opposed
" slavery throughout The world and do you Gehife ts
/" total and immediate abolition by those having t!r
. riuhtul power TO effect III cannot conceive how, Il
elected he Office Of Senator Gun be called on TO Gt
"ofica!ly' in regard 10 this question. II Is Clearly
subject over which the Legislature Of this State has ~
control vet have objection TO expressing my senii-
msnis in regard to il. opposed in principle 10 lie
existence of slavery. and II it's total and immediate hho
lion could be effected By the voluntary act OF the hold
ers fsaves without nfcting upon community greater
evils than those which flow from The existence of sIavev
itself should certainly rejoice at such result But
regard The pursued by many of the lending Abo
the rights of the Souh-ph,s recognized in framing the
constitution OF the Federal Gnve nmant by The comptO
mise md concession of The purest and wses Patriots d
the Revolution and which cannot be violated without
sacrificing the lives and property Of our fellow cxsns OF
the South and endangering the existence Of the Union
Emancipation be gradual. II result from thu
voluntary act Of those directly Interested and Of TIE
legislatures Of the States in which they reside. IL ir
to lhfm their interests well the dictates nf
HUMANITY would in time inc yhby lead 10 the extn:.
ton of slavery al the South satisfied that The in
iudcious lntermeddlng oi the Aboonists at the North
has rvped the claims upon the slave racted The
current Of feeling which already running In hIs
behalf at The South and added rlany years ~ The time
! Of his sprvitude.
10 answer your fourth question s,utr, TINT ! am
Opposed To any anendui. nj OF State Constitution.
which shall place persons Of color the footing
white cuzrns IN exercising the Elective ifanchiee
have Tie honor 10 be, very respectfully,
Your obi servant,
A J. PARKER