Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-04-17

political prescription, in defence OF the Consttutlona
rights of the South and the peace and safety OF their
firesides against all interference, whether OF fana-
| csm or poitca ambition, that man is William Henry
| HARRISON of Ohio "-Prodigious What an elaborate
AGGREGATION of empty epthets and canting phrases It
has cost build this spurious structure OF pompous
inanity But Mr.. Rives will not find his readers such
fools rs to be horoughly convinced of the truth OF an
assertion which, even the friends of Gen Harrison,
will admit 10 be mOilstrous eyaggeration at least, IT
will require man of rather larger calIbre than WI
liam c. Rves to establish so -hetcrodox proposition
If General Harrison has declaned Tor slavery, ne mas
| protested with at least equal vehemence against tt
| DO YOU wan, the proofs: Here are few passages
from the speeches and letters of him, who, Mr. Rves
declares if any, has "entitlcd himself TO the gratitude
of the South beyond all others, by his services and
sacrifices for the Unconstitutional rights the South,
&c &c.
"Should be asked, if there is way by which the
General Government can aid the cause of cmancpa-
ton, answer, that has long been object my
heart usce the whole of its surplus revenue appro-
pratcd to that object With the sanction of the States
holding the slaves, there appears to me to be con-
stltutional objection to lis being thus applied embrac
nr not only The colonization of those that may he
otherwise freed, but the purchase of the freedom OF
others. BY Jealous prosecution OF plan formed up
on that basis might look forward to day not very
far distant when North American would not look
down upon slave.
Before we proceed in quotations, we must make
a few remarks Mr.. Rvcs excuses this extravagant
and unconstitutional proposition, By stating that It IS
similar to one made by Mr. Jefferson, in the latter
wears of his life Not having the book before u.s. we
must take this for granted, though have not been
much encouraged to trust TO the quotations and refer
enccs of this accurate gen,laman who is 'nothins II
not critical We ask, however, whether any South
ern man, how much soever he may esteem Mr. Je-
ferson would under present circumstances adopt the
opinions or projects of that great and good man on
this subject especially 'during the last years of his
life" We once heard General Lafayette declare,
that he would give his right hand TO etiace the
blot of slavery from the American soil We all, OF
all parties and sections, vcmcrale the memory OF La
iayeltc vet would it be vndlcaton OF the opinions
of Harrison any other man, on thus vital subject, L"
affirm that they identical with those oil The hero OF
Brandywine and prisoner of O!mniz: Mr.. hvcs IS an
unfortunate advocate. Despite the intrepid confidence
which he reposes in HIMSELF his efforts, however zeal
GUS prejudice the cause lie would promote we have
il even from of his associates, that they are
heartily sick and ashamed of the alliance and the ally
In further Justification OF his "RepublIcan candidate,
Mr. Rves refers to similar sentiments, which were
freely expressed both by the press and public councils
of Virginia but few years ago. Now, we do not re-
collect that appeals made either by the pubic
councils the press OF Virginia. for the interference OF
the General Government III tins delicate question by
purchase or any other plan. If we are mistaken, we
hope the Editor of the Enquirer will set right. But
this is unfortunate argument 10 address to The Wings
! and Conservatives, since II was on thus very ground
that they succeeded in defeating the distinguished Re-
publican Mcdowell in the election tor Governor; al
though it was afterwards discovered II IL had not been
studiousy concealed before, that the most distinguish
ed champion Of the successful candidate had gone fur
Their in his views than his competitor, whose unspoted
character and brilliant talents make linn an honor TO
Virginia.
Mr. Rves affects to attach much Importance 10 the
qualifications swith the sanction Of he States holding
the slaves, if could be "purcIaSe without their
consent SolcciS III language, wlic! has me aDsnrdty
without the humor Of an Irish bull But, when such a
proposition 10 be seriorls made the Southern
States Will have been reduced to condition, III which
any thing will be acceptable rather obligatory, and
the purchaser may fix ms price, was done by the HrI-
tlSh Government IN ind,mHiWng the shareholders OF
the West India colonies, the proprctors receiving be-
tween and two hundred dollars ahead, If so much:
and that instruments, and on the hardest ierinsnOt
TO speak I" the loss omany crops, and the de-
leriorann OF their estates TO song and that
sad II will he the demand Of the robber-'yonr
property your life, virtually if not avOwedly; or
tllr like that Of the old soldier in Gil Bias who knelt By
the roadside with carbnc resting upon two cross sticks,
while he implored the trembling passenger Tor a few
marvedS for the sake Of the blessed Virgin To prove
the courage with which Gen. Harrison faced the Abo.
tion excitement, rather MIR RIves expresses 1t,
CHS noble and DISTINGUISHED zeal "ihc sing chearted.
ness with which he exposed himself 10 persecution and
political prescription in defence Of the constitutional
rights of the Souh Nc, we crtt. the following bret
circular, which issued by him for the avowcd pur-
/ oil cUncilialun Inc AUplllton faction
! Citizens, being called suddenly home 10 attend 10 my
sick family, have but moment to answer a few OF
ia" -'-~-."- ..h III circulation concerning me.
| { am accused OF being friendly to slavery. From
my earliest youth TO the present moment, have been
lh ardent friend Of human liberty AT the age of II,
became member Of Abolition society, established
at Richmond, Virginia; the object of which 10
anelioratc the condition Of slaves and procure their
freedom by every legal means My venerable friend,
Judge Catch of Clermont county, also Il member
OF this society, and has lately gwen me certificate
that was onr. The obligations which ! then came
under have faithfully performed
w. II. HARRISON.
"Call You this backing Of your friends Why! Gen
cra Harrison treated ''calumny them the scnti-
mcnis attributed to linn by Mr. Rives now. We do
not that s membership of an Abolition society IN
] Richmond, makes him AbolilIonst in the modern
acccpta"n of the word; but do say, that man who
could make such pcous appeal and refer to the CIR
cunsancc a proof that he not obnoxious 10 the
"caluInny' Of being friendly TO slavrry-whch means
in this case, friendly 10 the peculiar institutions OF the
South for few men will declare themselves friendly 10
slavery the abstract 10 cmplo term OF modern par
lamcc-wc repeat, that such man can scarcely be de-
Scribcd hero aud martyr for the rights OF the South!
Why not Justify the which was the subject Of
this canDr and address sound reasons, in strong yet
respectful language, to ms deudcd constituents Why
tamcly bow beneath storm, which he should have
manlully breasted and sought 10 calm with the potent
voice OF trut! and courage:
But MIR. l,Ivcs MAN defence OF The General rests
upon his course on the Missouri question He tells
that ga just people cannot forget the noble and self
sacrfcing devotion with which he stood Alone out Of
all the representatives of the Western nonslaveold-
ing Stacs and in little band of but two or three from
the whole non-savcholdng region OF the mon, in
steadily resisting, on behalf of the rights and interests
of the South the memorable Missouri restriction, and
the kindred proposition made at the same period to
strict the introduction of slaves into the Territory of
Arkansas; patriotic scli:devotion by which he lost
his seat in Congress- and incurred popular odum and
prescription, for season. in his own State. OF his
'spatrotic DEVOTION, and the popular odlum and pro-
scrption, to which he submitted, we have given too
striking an illustration render it necessary to add
any thing 1t is not true, that he lost his seat in
Congress by his the Missouri question, and
this is the best, well the shortest answer which
can be given TO that part Of Mr.. Rvcs deceptive Gu
logv But this whole sub cct has been discussed in
such mastery manner by writer in the Enquirer,
over the signature of LAGOON, that we need do no.
thing than condnsc his unanswcrabc exposition.
t,ctco those in fay,