Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-06-11
ABOLITION PETITIONS.

The letters OF Mr. Bolts and Mr.. Stuart, assign
ing the reasons OF their vote for the rescisson of the
2lst rule, are subjoned. Whether the reader con
ours with them in sentiment, or not the fact. thu
they and others like them, equally interested and
loyal TO the South did not deem the 2lst RUE, abso
luiely essential to the preservation of Southern
rights will serve, hOpe to allay the fears of the
timid, and spike Rtchie's earthquake.
We have inclined to the opinion. that the corr,o
they have pursued would be the most polite ONE
the question is not free from doubt now. Which
is BEST can only determined by the result As to IFS
long unconstitutional to refuse to receive abolition
Petl'Ions-Ihat was placed beyond question ty MIR.
We
To the Editors Of the National Intelligence,
Messrs. Gales s. SsQtOn As | felt constrained
by an imperlous sense Of duty to give nv vote 10.
day IN favor of MIR. Adams's amendment IN M
Wises resolution IN regard TO the ndopiion of Inc
rules OF the last House of Representatives and ,s
had no opportunity Of explaining the reasons bv
which was Influenced in so doing ask the f,yor
Of you TO insert this card in your next n,pcr ~
prevent any mIsconcepton ofmy true position IN ro
gard to the subject.
| am Southern man by birth and in principle
representa- latge slavehodng district and am NV.
self stakeholder; and no man can be moro firm
IMAM am IN the maintenance Of Southern rights
But believe that Southern gentlemen have assup.
ed an unfortunate attitude IN regard to this whole
subject position which is calculated to ngsray,ts
rnther IMAM diminish the excitement which exists in
the Northern States on the subject Of Abolition.
have long entertained the opinion that In. ,boI;
tlonst constitute but an Insignificant portion Of the
citizens Of the Northern States; and | believe
moreover, that they have derived their CONSEQUENCE
manly from the supposed violation Of the right Of
petition which has occurred in the failure of Con-
gress to receive their memorials. | am eonfrned
IN this sentiment 10y the public declaration of Mr.
Adams that, IN his opinion, II n proposition wero
brought forward tomorrow for the abolition Of sny-
cry IN the District Of Columbia there are NOT fee
members on the floor Of Congress who would vote
for u and that the almost universal sentiment in
the North Is that Congress has no power TO inter.
ere with the subject Of slavery in the States But
whilst this IS the fact, large number Of the Repre.
sentatIyes from the Northern States belisying ron
seontousy thatih sacred right Of petition IS inysd.
ed by the refusal Of Congress 10 consider ,besc
memorials, are forced 10 assume position which ~
apparently adverse to Southern interests when in
truth they are as much opposed to abolition as am.
Without pretending TO go into a discussion Of the
extent OF the right Of petition, am willing TO rest
my vote on the ground Of eTpedency. / am I'm.
willing that the hbOItionsts should continue 10 IN
Joy the support which they now receive from the
apparent cooperation Of the wise and vlruous men
Of the North m regard to the right Of peti,on I
wish to draw from them all cHtrinsic support and IN
expose TO the world their lnsgnifcance IN regard TO
numbers and character. This can only be done bv
receiving their petitions, referring them having &c.
port and direct vote the question Of abolition
or no abolition, unmnglod with the right Of petition
or any other collateral question. II this course had
been taken years ago, | believe that the abolition
finaticism would have shared the fate Of the Sun
| day mail excitement But, DO that rs It may Tor
| one do not wish to dodge this question. Il must be
/ met NJ some time or other; and am for meeting IL
promptly. III am right in my conjecture that the
| abOtionists are so uncomfortable in numbers the
| fact will be made manifest, and there will be an
end Of agitation. II, on the other hand there is
determination on the part Of our Northern brethren
70 disregard the guarantees Of tho Constitution and
trample on the rights and Interests Of the South the
sooner We know II the botor for ifthe Constitution
and the laws afford US no security for our institu
tons, must rely our extra. constitmi nal means
| TO maintain and protect them.
There 10 one other view Of the subject which |
would respectfully present. II Is this. Suppose Mr.
| ADAHt's amendment had been defeated by such n
vote given upon the adoption OF the list rule
| originally; what would have been tho effect upon
| the public mind3 Would Il not have appeared that
| the house was almost equally divided on the sub.
| Jet Of abolitionl And what Task, would have been
the moral effect throughout the Union Of such an ap.
parent state Of thing1 Would IL not have unsettled
the very foundations Of our Southern institutional
But, on the other hand, five obtain a direct vote
on the single question Of abolition, upon which we
shall have vote Of $50 or $40 ~ favor Of tho rights
Of the South 10 or 10 against thcm does not every
lone see that II will ehscluay suppress, agitation,