Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-05-18

,,e w,s involved. then they could understand it.
hara No donht this is true for, New York poll
,c;ans calculate the Union well as the constitution,
hy dollars and cents The Constitution itseli IS al
abstraction which their contracted, pcayune mlnus'
c,p mayer expand sufficiently to comprehend. ~ II Is
orred 10 gain abolition influence, that the ConstItu-
,;on shopld be tramped on their Governor does II,
and the Legislature sustains him. And this done ny
party vote to sustain party Governor IN an uhcoh'
s,tutona refusal to do justice TO sister STATE.
lis proposed 10 refer this subject to Congress-tnat
the power of surrenderng fugltives from justice may
no transferred from the chief Executive OF State 10
Federal officer The last Legislature unanimously
refused 10 refer this question to Congress, ana nothing
has since transpired which would justify sucn
1t has been truly said by my colleague that every
Government earth has made the suffe"uef " ~
ot;ve from Justice an Executive duty since the
formation Of the Constitution, the Executives OF The
Al ereni States have exercised this power and mere
tofore no serious difficulty has arisen between tiie
Sta,es-,hen for this, if for no other reason, Wouio
not transfer this power to Federal ohcer-ihs single
isolated case which may be settled without this change
woud not Justify in making so important an aitera
ton when the liberty of citizens 10 involved Nor am
fully convinced that Congress has the power to
transfer this authority from the Executive to Federal
officer | prefer that the power should remain with
the Executive who is more directly interested in the
securiiv and protection of the citizens, than Federal
officer could possibly be. The Executive is respon-
s;be TO the people of the State for the faithful per-
Torrance of his duty whilst the Federal officer is only
held responsible to one man.
beg leave TO differ with of the friends oil this
bill in supposing that no could arise in which the
surrender of fugitive ought not to be made. A case
minhl arise in which the Executive ought not 10
make the Snrcnder. For instance should citlzen
of virginiaSSo to the State Of New York and violate
their unconstitutional law giving slaves trial by
jury0 and by appealing to Federal judge, get de-
c,sion in his favor. Under this law il che removes
his slave out Of the State under any process or pro-
cecdinp whatever, he shall be deemed guilty OF kid
mapping, and upon conviction, shall be imprisoned IN
the State prison for term not exceeding ten years
Should he escape this State, and hereafter be de-
manded by the Executive Of New York as fugitive
from Justice the Governor of Virginia ought TO refuse
to surrender him. But if the power TO make ,ne sur
re- nder was vested in Federal officer, he would make
the surrender forthwith, without Tor one moment con-
siderinc the Justice or propriety of the demand.
Another objection TO this change 49, that do not
wish TO see the power of the Federal officers increased,
nor to vest in them any power which can be safely .S
ercised by the States. AgaiR, II would be Impossible
TO bring this question before Congress without giving
those who desire to discuss the subject Of slavery an
opportunity 10 do so.
deny the right of Congress TO discuss the nstitu-
ton of slavery in any shape, or under any pretext
whatever These Northern men have been permitted
too lonp already TO discuss that question, ana de-
nounce US and institutions, on the floor OF congress.
The time has long since arrived, when every Southern
member Of Congress should have returned home,
rather than permitted discussion OF that question:
do not wish to give such men as 1ohn " A"a''s,
Slade L. Co.. an opportunity or pretext to hnrl Their
broad and sweeping denunciations against the SOUTH
ern people, and hold them up 10 the world, as worse
tina fends cannIbals.
Another and strong objection TO referring tins
subject to Congress is that do not wish TO see State
and the General Government brought IN CONFLICT WIN
each other.
have once seen the Union on the eve OF d'ssolu-
tion by State attempting to resist an unconsttnon.
law Of Congress. | saw an odous force bill passed
TO compel sovereign State to submit to an unconst-
,utional law. Had that lave been attempted TO be
enforced by the sword, every Southern State would
have been united in open resistance TO the Federal
Government. Let US then do nothing BY which
State and the Federal Government may De brought IN
conflict Though we consider New \ ork wrong, yet
we do not desire TO see her forced to do justice by
the strong arm ofthe General Government. Let V'r-
gna and New York settle this question. Let the at
tenton of the commercial interests OF New ork DC
called TO the absurd and unconstitutional course OF
the Executive of that Stale If then she st refuses
to force her Governor 10 do justice and susans, and
iusties his course other and perhaps stronger means
may be taken.
In this BILL gentlemen say they the 'edge Of the
sword that is to sever the Union Sir this cry oil
U non-this danger of .dissoving the Union, that is
always held up ''in terrorem, IS one OF the chei
causes that operates TO make these Northern men SO
bold, arrogant and presumptuous we should tell
them that there point beyond which they must not
go or this Union is dissolved Tell them that we dare
calculate the cost and value Of the Union. Tell them
that desire its perpeuation, only upon the prn'
cipes and in the same spirit in which our fathers
formed it. Tell them that the South do without
the North much better than the North can do without
the South Tell them 10 adhere strictly 10 the compact
that binds US together and the Union will be perpetual
but let them beware how they violate the compact,
and trample on our rights, the Union must and Will
be dissolved.
Mr.. Speuker,-I have detained the House much
longer than intended; for IN truth, have not pre-
pared myself to discuss this question lis Importance
demanded, the interest my constituents feel IN the
action Of this House this exciting question: hut II
has been fully and ably discussed by other gentlemen,
and am sure the House is convinced both OF the ex-
pediency and consttutionality of the BILL
In conclusion, | wish TO make earnest appeal to
the members from the South Invest, not TO oppose this
bill in spirit of retaliation, for the opposition have
made to some of their schemes of internal improve
ment. Nor to think for one moment, that entertain
the least unknd feeling towards the members who
present that portion Of the State.
When remember that Little Tennessee the
home of that firm brave, and true patriot John Floyd
should be the last to have pre- udlce I'll feel
ing towards the country he called his own II Virgi-
MIA ever had son, who attached to her, and
Of whom she should be more proud than any other
save one, that son was John Floyd, who when it was
thought the troops of the Federal Government would
pass through Virginia to make South Carolina,
determined to put himself at the head of the State
guard, and prevent their passage or perish in the at
tempt
Fronf N, ,irdg lie dnrd 0f NM