Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-04-05
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these disionted times to excite surprise with the
writer OF this article; but IL any thing has happened
pated, was the extraordinary article that appeared
in the Integencer OF the 2Sth the subject OF the
vote of ceusure passed by the uouse of Represen
tauves on the conduct OF MIR Gijdings
IL was TO have been expected that the lncencary
nbclitonist and the unthnking and preiudiced OF
all parties in the North, might have fallen into
the error COMM ted by the Editors OF the lnteligen
Ger; but that they, residing IN slavehoding com b
munity, and men Of Acknowledged reflection, WIS
dom, and Observation-Disclosures who value the peace
of the country and harmony and perpetuity OF our
should complain OF the action Of Con-
gress in expressing their disapprobauon OF the in
PRODUCTION OF this entering wedge OF discord and DIS
union 10 the legislative halls OF the country, is truly
remarkable.
Let US review this case and see how II stands IL
will bo necessary to look first at the designs of the
Abolition PARTY, of which MIR G'ddinss processes TO
he ons; and his general cowse aud remarks m the
House leave no room To doubt that he enters July
and thoroughly mo all their views.
BY reference TO their address, rs sent io:th ron,
the Convention OF 1888, they tell us;
''we are Tor Union, but not with slavery. We
will give the Union for the abolition OF slavery 1t
nothing else can gain 1t. The south Is welcome 10
a dissolution; the sooner the better"
Though this country rteks and rolls IN Llood,
not effort will we relax not an agent recall; not
publication suppress; but will breast ourselves TO
the onset-ifneei be, to the DEATH"
These and other similar expressions, vile and
reasonable as they arc 1t might be supposed would
have excited the public mind IN the Region IN VII eh
they were breaihed; but when uttered IN ! South
climate, or introduced 10y ore Of their members,
matter how indirectly, into the legislative halls
for the legislative action Of southern men, seems
strange to me that any sound patriot or friend OF
peace should I've found who would not Justify a.
expression oil opinion on the part Of The House Of
their mschievous tendency, and expreSSion OF
opinion that they merited the condemnation OF the
country and Of Congress. To wha, extent this
would have been carried hsd 1t no; te.n mel
at the thcshhold, may be imagined, but not easily
described.
have here adver,ed to the address Of the Conven-
ton of Aboliiioniss TO show TO wha, extent these
people, and MIR Giddngs among them, propose 10
go to accomplish their nefnrious purposes-io carry
out their pernieous and revolutionary doctrines.
have neither the means nor time TO rscspi,ulaie
MI the grounds assumed by the abolition party at
various times, nor to the insoent efforts OF Daniel
O'Connell and Falher Mathew 10 array their coun-
irymen, who have taken up their residence among
us. against the institutions that furnish them with
a home and protection, an6 the counienance that
these efforts have received from the aboonists on
this side OF the water.
Their conduct has been such as, in my judgment,
would properly subject them not only to CEN
sure, but severe punishment; and II IS only 10 be
wondered that such publication should be permitted
10 issue from the press E communities processing 10
have national feelings as are transmitted by every
mail from the various abolition presses the coun
try.
How is it that the people of these communities
can stand unmoved and see the inccndiary apply
the torch in open day, and at meridian sun, 20 the
sacred temple Of liberty, by the PRONUNCIATION OF
doctrines which strike at the root and foundation
al the Government for no man in his widest !
dreams can ever have imagined that the abolition
Of slavery in the South j. 10 be accomplished by
force from the North until they have made slaves
OF us.
As onga their efforts in Congress were confined
10 mere petitions, | rs a southern man sustained |
that right as will always do. IL Is a eonstitu. |
tional right, iniuriousy exercised think but still
right TO which Congress can set no limit and the |
ground have always taken has been. that when. |
ever they attempted put their designs into prac-
teal operation | would be found among the FORE |
most m resistance. Mr. Giddings has been the first
since have been member oil Congress TO attempt |
It. He has deserved and met his fate.
But let us come down to The Creole case and MIR
Giodng's resolutions.
Immediately on the arrival of the news Of that
unfortunate occurrence, the abolition societies Of the
North held their meeting-procaimed the blood /
stained assassins as justified the atrocities
they had committed, and invited The slnves Of the
South 10 initiate their example.
BY way Of illustration, refer TO tile following 1
resolutions, as giving some idea Of these religious |
devils IN human form. | extract the following from
series Of resolutions adopted by the Abolillonsts
at the town OF Newburg, Kings county, New
York, on the Goth December, IS4l:
"Resoirtd, That the slaves Of the brig Creole,
who rose and took possession Of said vessel thereby
regalnng their natural rights and liberty, acted in
accordance with the principles Of our Declaration
oil Independence, and the late decision OF the SUI
preme Court; and have rToved themselves IN their
whole conduct worthy Of their freedom; and we
trust that their whole example will be initiated by
all ~ similar circumstances.
"Resolred, That should the slaves at the South
endeavor to gain their natural rights and liberty,
'peaceably Il they can, forcibly if they must we
should no. feel bound TO extingulsh the sacred
flame, but, in the words of that noble hearted de.
mocrat William Leggett, we should pray that the
battle might 20 with the oppressed
'Resopsd, That Il Is high time that these things
should cease, for the time IS fast approaching when
slavery must be abolished by peaceabe means, or
Very similar resolutions were passed at various
meetings Of the abolition party IN different parts OF
the country, which, " not encouraged, have not
heen discountenanced by the northern people or
o0rthern press
Can any Christian man read these savage canni-
ball like resolutions, mined at their own race and
not fee shudder at the carnage that there invited
and encouraged on the part Of our slnves2 These
are the views o. MIR Giddings' party. And on the
first occasion that presents ITSELF he, one Of the
prominent leaders oil this holy fraternity, gratui.
tously introduces a series Of resolutions altogether
uncOnnected with any subject before the House
lusuying the mutiny and murder committed on
board the Creole; declaring the hostility Of his
party 10 the position assumed by his own countrv
~ negotiation out Of which II is apprehended we
may be involved m war; virtually invites the enc.
mics OF his country TO adhere to their position under
an implied promise Of succor and aid at our own
doors; and upon these resolutions he asks FOR legs
Jatlve oction-he asks me as a southern man to co
operate with him IN his dark and Reasonable Dur.
poses. After he has thus sent forth from the very
Capitol TO the British Government the views Of his
party, by whom they were probably prepared
unanswered and unrebuked, he eraciousiy conde
scends to withdraw them for the present that he
may avail himself of more convenient time.
At this stage Of the proceeding, the membe from
the district from which the Creole had sailed, and
whose constituents were the owners Of the proper.
~ lost perceivng the lurking mischief Of the incen.
diary, exercising the same privilege that had lusl
been enjoyed by the Abolition member from ONO
presented preamble briefly setting forth the facts
as they struck his mird az the moment and re.
solution expressive OF his opinion rs 10 the course
pursued by the member from Oh.o-a resolution
fully authorized by the Constitution and altogether
justified by the occasion.
The Constitution declares that leach House may
determine the rules of It's own proceedings punisb
us members Tor disordcrly conduct and, With the
concurrence Of iWo-ihtds, eRpel member
Where Is the Limitation TO tho discretion Of The
Housed Upon what principle is 1t said that tho
House had no right TO dislpprove of Mt Ciddiogs,
counsel Why have they no. n right TO determine
what m their opinion constitutes case Of disorderlv
conduct for which member may he censured7
IL for the use Of supplementary language in
debate the House may ceusure, how much stronger
~ the justification Of censure for the introduction oil
resolutions reasonable in their nature-dsorganz
ne, evolutionary, and sangunary in their character
insulting TO one hofthe House and helfthe nation