Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-11-23
DOMESTIC.
THE LATE ABOLITION OUTRAGE AT NEW BEDFORD
To Tie Editors file Norfolk Beacon:

no. I'LL
Srs-l have in the first of these essays called the
readers attention 10 the fact that the institutions and
laws of The Northern States, not only different
from ours, certain great principles but are abso-
lutely adversary and hostile 10 them. This is pro-
per subject Of complaint, for every sovereign State
has undoubted right TO mould its own govern
mcn, according To It's own will. 1t is not surprs.
ing that the Northern States, opposed they are, 10
domestic slavery, should carefully exclude it from
their own territories; and we of the South have no
right to complain Of them for doing. But they have
no right TO push their principles beyond the necessity
of the case at the hazard of rights, and in viola
ton of their own social duties. In declaring that
slavery shall not exist among them, they exert a
| right which every one comedies TO them hut at
that point it is their duty to stop. They may well
say TO u.s. that if would become their cItizels,
must conform their institutions and laws that in what
ever light regard our slaves, cannot be permitted
to hold them there, in violation Of allegiance
TO them This all that is due 10 their protested prn
cpes and all that their interest or their safety requires
But they have gone far beyond this. They say, not
only that slavery shall not exist among icm but that
they will interpose to break that relation among US
whenever we happen 10 touch their territory No mat
ter with what view we go among them; whether de-
sign, accident, or misfortune, may throw Us upon
their borders, their laws will not far respect ours
TO acknowledge, for single moment The relations
which they establish. Have the Southern States no
reason TO complain Of lhs' The Constitution Of the
United States recognizes slavery Legitimate nsl
tuition, and extends its protection directly and in eS
press TERMS 10 all the rights which belong TO it.
This fact alone imposes upon every State the duty Of
respecting that institution, it exists in others
This indeed, is the necessary result of their social re-
alion and is indispensable 10 that harmony, without
which, their union cannot long endure. The Consti
tuition leaves every State free 10 adopt reject domes
tic slavery, at its dscretion and this very liberty
Of choice implies that those who choose to adopt IL
shall be moesed by those who choose to re- ect it,
Let the Northern States deny TO their own citizens the
right TO hold slaves, and will not claim that right,
when go TO lire among them. They may even
60 go far as to say that as their laws discounte-
nance domestic slavery, they will not lend their
authority to enforce it when we 60 among them
as visitors, for any other temporary purpose
This would be- il is true, clear violation of the spirit
Of compact, but might submit to il as an ndul-
gence their prendces, or in aid OF their views OF po-
hey. What can they require? They have no IN
tercs 10 90 beyond this, and no just principle demands
that they should do We have at least right 10
quire Of them 10 stand neutral between us and our
slaves, so long remain among them. If they will
do nothing protect that relation, they themselves,
have agreed the Constitution that shall establish
it, let hem least forbear TO their power for the
purpose Of breaking it. This is required, not only by
the Constitution and the very Of social and
political relations but it is also required by information
al courtesy, by public justice and by private honor
But how stands the fact? Let the circumstances OF
the case now under consideration answer that qIes-
ton. If we visit these good sister States OF ours we
ance have been accustomed, who understand our
habits and whose services necessary 10 our CON-
fort. 1T is Of no consequence that these domestcs
wish 10 90 with and TO remain with US; it IS OF no
that they feel towards US that
stronger than almost every other-wlch exists be.
tween the good master and the good slave; it is of no
consequence that they refuse TO ask their feedom and
protest against being forced to be free it is of con-
sequence that they entreat TO be permitted to return to
the friends and relatives they have left at home md 10
fbo in hich how gvP
they could expect, and all the freedom they desired
Our Northern rsnds have their own notions OF free
dom. According to their creed, they themselves
would not be free, If they had not right TO com.
peL others 10 be so, whether they desired II or not
All this their laws sanction; their authorities stand
ready carry out, and their people stand ready 10
sustain them. No does Southern man touch
their soil with his slave-no matter in what obscure
and remote of it-than the eager vigilance oil
these meddling people, discovers him. he is not warn
ed Of his danger he counselled TO go away he is
moi told that the presence of slave is offensive TO pub
lie sentiment and that fine wishes to maintain that re
laton, he must return TO his State. All this wou
be JUST kind liberal and iorbearing but their laws,
r. far slavery is concerned take account OF such
things these. They lay riolent hands on the Stare
and under the preence of giving him Liberty, deny hin
the liberty of choosing whether he will have it or not
All this unnecessary, unprovoked and useless violence
is committed, in direct violation OF our rights, and II
open robbery Of our property!
connexon between the States of Union, and the
strong necessity which exists of preserving uninter
rupted harmony among them, some provision would
be incorporated into the laws of the Northern States
which, while it preserved their principles would give
the STAKEHOLDER some chance to maintain his rights
They might allow him certain time to withdraw hi
slave; they might prescribe certain time within which
the right freedom should not attach, provision nigh
be made in thousand forms, by which their institu
tons might be preserved, and due respect TO thei
opinions and feelings enforced, with something llk
justice 10 the rights of their Southern countrymen-
: They ought at least 10 allow the Southern man 4
travel through their territories with sort Of as
snrance that he will not be pundered By their laws
That they have not done this, one Of the unnunber
ed proofs of their utter insensiby 10 our just claims
and of the hostility pervading all OF them, against tn
institutions under which We live.
Such laws as theg have applied to this subject, coul
not be enforced without the aid of strong decides
public opinion. And they could not be sustained ex
cept by public opinion rendered stable by the mmu
table character Of the foundation on which il