Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-04-15
RICH MON ID:
THURSDAY MORNING. APRIL IS.
.Ne,c York and Jirgfuia.


We regret that the Lynchburs Virgnian does u,
the injustce-unintentional no doubt-oi ascribins
to us, in common with the Enquirer, efforts to max,
the New York controversy party question. Al
the honour OF those efforts belong to our neighbour
We lay no claim to tive have only rebuked anC
exposed the dsrepu,able tricks and inuendocs o
our Contemporary. From the beginning, we have
deprecated the infusion Of party into the considera
ION OF the MISUNDERSTANDING II strictly and pure
ly Virginia question. We have, it is true, had
an opinion of our own, and preferred one of the
proposed remedies to another. We thought the
PLAIN, direct and unembarrassed course was 10 call
upon Congress to alter the law of 49, so as to con.
form TO the words of the Constitution-to make i,
imperative upon Federal, and not a State officer,
TO surrender fugitive. There is no constitutional
obligation resting upon 4 State officer to execute a
law oil Congress, not made in strict pursuance Of
the Constitution. Had Gov. Seward taken this
ground, instead of running into the wide field Of
aosurdry and folly, about the claws of all civil
lied countries" We could have taken no exception
to his course-except that it was wanting in the
uniform courtesy, which has existed between the
States from the foundation OF the Government. Had
we gone to Congress, and demanded, as il was our
apprehend and deliver up tugitives from justice, we
should within 30 days thereafter have had the three
Tree negroes, who stole the slave from Norfolk: and
there would have been end to the controversy,
and an effectual remedy provided for ell new cases
when may arise. This matter was put in a very
strong point Of view by the able remarks of MIR.
Irving OF Cumberland, which will be published in
few days.
We were opposed to the "Inspeclion Law" so
called, because 1t was in bad much
OF the braggart spirit Of its father. Ii was il-tmed
1t was inefficient 10 the end proposed, whilst il
would prove veratious and ruinous TO the commerce
ofEastern Virginia. and moreover, we had strong
doubts OF its constitutionhIity. We have seen no.
thing TO change our opinion-and believing, as we
still do, that our course was the right one, and the
other the wrong one-that ours compor,ed with the
true interests and honor of the State and the other
miitned against both, could not hesitate to avow
our CONVICTIONS regardless of the clamor and slang
OF demagosues. We believe the People Of Virginia
will, upon calm consideration of the whole subject,
come to our conclusion.
We have not sought to proht, in party view, by
the advantages which our position gave us. We
never doubted but that the whole of Eastern Vir.
GINA, most directly affected might be throw into
flame, If the harIssments and vexaIons and ruinous
distinctions TO which their commerce would be sub.
jected by the "Inspecton Bill" were pressed upon
their consideration. But we forebore-believing
that many who voted for that bill, were governed by
upright and patriotic intentions, and will, upon bet.
ter reflection, cheerfully and readily co operate in
It's repeal before it takes effect Richie, one day,
called upon the People to make the "Bnyy Bill" a
party test at the poIls--but he soon became con
sc:ous ofhis faux pas and in his paper he beg
ged, like whipped cur, that it might no more be
mentioned