Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-06-12
JAMES J.. GoRDoN, Scrry.
PEllgSBI n.


At a meeting Of the Democratic Committee OF Nlgi-
lance for the town of Petersburg, held the evening
OF Saturday. May IT, l-io, Col D. Butts IN the Chair,
On motion of Dr. b +. May, il was
RcsOirrd That a committee OF five be appointed I"
draft and report to this meeting, preamble and reso-
utons decaratory of their opinions in regard 10 the
present Presidential contest.
I'm pursuance of this resolution, the Chairman APP
pointed Messrs May, O:bornc, Wallace, Branch and
Martin.
On notion the Chairman added TO the commit
! tee.
The committee having retired, reported the follow
ng preamble and resolutions, whc!i were UNANIMOUS
" adopted:
Whereas we believe a crisis in our history has ar
rived when il becomes necessary for every tree citizen
define his position and 10 ~xPIcss TO the world In.
principles which oct'iatc and govern hun IN ms poin-
cal course; and viewing the controversy now IN aga,
ton throughout This Union, involving the same vIta'
distinctions which have marked the two great parties
Of the Republic from the time OF the elder Adams 10
the present daythc one, Identified WIN ,he present
WING party contending for broad construction OF
the Constitution, National Bank, Protective Ia
riff. visionary schemes Of Internal Improvement,
involving lavish expenditure OF tho pubic money,
and the creation Of national deb--aII n''nicai III
their character to the cherished doctrines OF VIZ
ginia and utterly at war with the principles OF
thos, of her sons, whom the Republic has delight
ed honor the other, represented by tie present re
publican party, opposed 20 implied powers, with thcir
corruptInr influences; regarding economy IN the go
vcrument as the safeguard Of liberty disdaning TO sac
rice principle at the shrine otcxpedency IN ne, con.
struinr the Constitution according 10 It's letter, and
the true iren, Of It's trainers. The one conccalng 'ts
views upon the general p"cr OF the government as
far AS cOncealncut practicable. The other, candid,
frank and honest in TIE declaration OF principles ana
recurring their public servants 10 conform r'Si"ly I"
those principles IL their acts. The one party TO say
the least, leave the South ~ an alarming count us 10
,h.r rIturr action upon the absorbing subject o s!i-
ycrva subject not ouly ." the last Importance to the
durability of our Union, but involving our own So
cal safety and happiness ne possession Oh power" ny
Tho other not only of the qGtc and undIs
turbrd yrn of our slave property, but guarantees
TO as our Constitution in lis ORG nal purity, unsued
n i came from the sages of the Revolution We,
therefore, the Democratic Vigilance Committee oil
Petersburg, declare opposition to The Federal ana
ruinous doctrines Of The majority OF the Wing party,
int deem it only necessary to invite the attention OF
our fcIlow.crlizcns TO a few of the more prominent
grounds of objection 10 our present opponents
RcsoIred, lst, That conccalment of opinion upon
any tutional question: point affecting the
general welfare inconsistent with our free 'ns''tu'
lions and ought not be tolerated in candidate Tor
popular favor.
! EeSoIrcd I'd That the studied conccament so n
ridIy imposed and strictly adhered TO by General
" H. Harrison regard TO the extent at The powers
of the General Government over our slaves, IS neon
patb!c with the genus of our free institutions, drrc'!y
opposcd TO the course hitherto pursurdb By all candidates
for the Presidency, Ant!-kepu"cah IN lis chafac'''
and dan gcrous in It's tendency .
Resojrrd 3D. That the absence OF this desired DC
vcloument of the views Of Gen Harrison, we gamer
enough from his Chrvio speech &c, TO excite d'str"st
as TO his policy, and alarm US |" ''c Sh'el u ' P
pcr,y in slaves n.
Rcsoirtd Ith, That these sentiments OF Cen tiarF',
SON create the more alarm, because III" Aboonists oil
the North and of Ohio III The West, he adopted state
OF Harrison, have hatird ms nomination. WIZ" "!' anu
support hn with unanimity.
! E,SJ,cJ 9TH MS the decided md unanimous OPINION
Of thus meeting That although Gen HARRISON opposes
.-or Harrison IN In speech hrvior, ono, July 4h, E,
r.por,,d IN The Richmond WEg Il the 2 March, io, LAY
.Shri h asked If there by wl the General TO
vrtrmrut can AID the emancipation answer thai has
lnns been mn object hcar t. Sc. ia" whole OF ITS sn'
S,. holding the slaves there appears 10 be- u" cat i""H
N objection being thus applied; embracing not "nI! Inc CO.
that be otherwise freed n Tie purchase
o M ~ By Jealous prosecution "f plan FORM
ed upon basis might look forward ioa da! not very '
WI a Nurh American would not LOOK "P'
Save. In addressed by Cen H. 10 IL"na TO-
ID NTw " n ,6 Pe.r[g WIFI. thu General lsye
Congress abolish slavery IN III stat , h, mon
the anplicaiiom Of the STATES. in and IN n" "t nsS
might appnpriat. money 10 ali ~. Stt". " ~ nj NJ Viz
"fna NIGH, hs be- applied the patton G .l'' u, w..
Of Kentucky upon III" a', ' coojianc IN dc,r and
~, 'r,t remain firm left {" The mercy Of an I'M
ser1pno and psIn I,,. a%q' preamble and resolutions
in thu senate Of the 81 January , m i,s
WI nator, and Representatives. IN Congress- 10 IcPr n' ne
styled IA great mora, an" Gay arrd our national happiness
.tha The admission Of slavery IN the new state oi
,,rri wa, Taught the most arial Consequences 20 inc
sl.s nry and durability Republican Institutions" and
mixed "r utmost caerion ard the u-c OF every means I"
H. ---- r,h,r,,, NAH ., Is,o
81 have received you Of the 2 and can have
~ ;.rton 10 S,y reply. TIL sentiments expressed IN my
t"Ttn unn, Ais and The 9Th March, T. aud sub
srInal, repeated Inaugural Address are not o. , ~
tcrtalao1 1y ne. Z. ost M4'' 'e'" s''s ~
''''' am, respectfully your oO ~ 1" yIy crRrx
ITO WALLER F. LEAxE, Esq, Chairman, &c