Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-02-27
POLITICAL.
rur ISsS% ne .al,aay .argns, Of Ets: !s.l

we had yesterday a farther illustration of the COM
Plete identity between Federalism and Aboltionism.-
II any thing could be required in addition to the coali-
ton between these parties Mt the last and the previous
eiection-the circulars issued from this city under the
immediate direction and dictltion of the Federal Junto
here, and the pledges Of hicssrs. Humphrey, Sanford,
and a majority of the Federal candidates who were ad-
dressed on the subject, (Mr. H., the Federal Senator
rom this city, an Jaror of the immediate and uncon.
a'uoRGt abolition Of siGrcry-the action Of the Fcde-
raj majority of the present Legislature will furnish it
abundantlv.
1t vii! be rccol!ectcd that the Fcderalis,s of the Lee
SIsiature protested at the start, that they were not Abo-
iiiion'sts; and that the only object, IN the passage of
their Abolition resolutions, was the vindication of the
fright of petition Even the violent Federal member
from Livingston denied his Abolition predictions and
associations, with the warmth and bitterness that cha
racterize his manner and nature. But their professions
were brought to the test by the resolution offered by
Mr.. Mann, on Saturday, as follows:
"RSso!red. That this Legislature has seen with deep regret, and
decidedly disnpproyes and condemns the efforts OF many mis-
guided individuals in the Northern States, to interfere, without
right and in violation Of the principles on which the Constitution
Of the United States was established, with the domestic insllu-
tons of our sister States al the South: thereby disturbing the do
nestle peace of the States, weakening the bonds Of our Union,
and SOW ing the seeds of its DISSOLUTION
This resolution was REJECTED by the Assembly yes
terday-every Federalst present, save one, voting
against the resolution, and every Democrat voting for
thunder the following extraordinary circumstances:
MIR. E. CLARKE, the Federal member from Living
ston, having the floor, addressed the House in one of
lIt HlOSt dDuSlVc uUu VluulCllVc eNUlDllonS OF TlDLpVeT
witnessed on that noor-dcnouncing the administra.
ton of the General Government in set terms, and
wandering from the subject under consideration, (Ot'I
course unchecked by the Chair, Notwithstanding calls
to order,( into a gross political ~harangue upon most of
the topics which make up the Federal vocabulary of
party defamation and then, without ~afording an OPP
portunity for reply, (f indeed it deserved that notice
from any quartcr) or allowing the mover Of the rcso-
luton or any of lis friends to speak to the question,
moved the previous question, and the drilled body of
Federalists and Abolitionis;s, obedient to the arrange
rncnts out of doors, sustained the call, and rejected the
resolution.
While the scene was enacting in the Assembly, the
Federal resolutions from the House were under discus
sion in the Senate. And there also the Democratic
members applied the test to the Federal professions, with
a like result, though less exccptiona5lc in manncr-for
there, instead Of The gag and the previous question, az
ter n violent party harangue, (the rules of the Senate
do not recognize the previous question: the Federal
members sat out the subject until shutdown. The fol-
lowing amendment offered by Mr.. ID. S. Dickinson, in
the course of the discussion, wns rejected bv the mega
tive vote of every Federal member:
"Rcoirnd, ifth. Assembly concur,) That by the Constitution Of
The United states, Congress has no power To lcgislate upon the in
the Territory OF the District Of Columbia having been coded for
the use of the General Government by states in whicl, slavery tx.
~ n,,"u,s ~; i,,nr;nn n me- ay,,, STAT. ,"n;r.,, s ..i,,, AID
States, is unjust and incNpcdient, a violation Of the true meaning
and spirit of the Constitution, adverse 10 the principles by which
the several States are united, and a breach of the faith upon which
they entered into the political compact.
"Rss0ireG, That the rilht 10 petition does not necessarily carry
with IL the right II have the prayer of tho petition granted, and
that u is no violation Of either the letter or the spirit of the Con.
stitution for Congress to decline action upon petitions relating 10
The abolition Of slivcTy-a domestic institution uf the States, with
in the control Of tho several State Legislatures, and nver which
Congress has no Jurisdiction"
At Washington, as in our State Legislature, the Fe-
dcral members from the North started with denials of,
their Abolit.Gn;sln. hcssrs. Granger, Peck, Mitchcll,
and their associates, who courted the Abolitionists, Ia
city if not directly subscribed to their doctrines, and
obtained their votes, were prompt to dcny-nay, affect
ed Indignation al the clargc--tlat they were Adolf
tionists, in sentiment, or by association. This was the
oame for the South; and in keeping with it, was the
resolution, offered and amended By two leading llarri-
son "Whigs,' refusing the reception of Abolition petit
tons by the House Of Representatives.
But this prctencc is now abandoned. All disguise is
thrown aside. The FcGcralists of this State are re-
solved to play their game for the State, and to cement
their associations with The AbolItionists, and secure
their votes and cooperation, if possible, regardless of
every other Observation-Disclosures of the rights Of
the States, the constitutional rights of the South, and
even the integrity of the Union itself. The Junto
here regard their Offices and power in this State as pri-
maryland the presidential question and the great in.
terests of The country as secondary. For the attain
mcnt of their object, they are ready 10 form any ALI
ances, seek any aHd, adopt any opinions, and resort to
any a~rtifce or party device. Hence the movement in
relation 10 the fright of petition" and hence also the
approval of the Abolition a~gitations. We shall see
whether the game VIII carry the anti-slavcry party
from their protested "dIstinct organizations and who
ther it will deceive an intelligent people.