Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-01-21


the Republican party, that the Northern Wings
would exhibit on this occasion, their anti-Slaye-
~ feelings 10 such excess as 10 embarraSS their
Whip friends al the South in the coming elections;
and from a remark he made at the opening OF his
speech he seemed 10 think that such was my wish.
assure the honorable member, said Mr. B., that,
as far as am concerned he is mistaken. But
although he told US that such hope would be dis
appointed, yet he could not refrain from saying
that, upon the ground Of slavery alone, he would
oppose the admission Of Texas now and always.
II will remain 10 be seen whether the tender meT
cy shown for the Wing friends of the gentleman
from the Soulh-which is so great as TO cause him
10 abstain from pressing leading head OF his ar
gument, and the one which is known 10 constitute
the principal objection TO annexation with North
ern men-wll not be as injurious 10 those riends
and allies as if free vent had been given TO their
anti-slavery feelings; whether the embrace Of
friendship will not be as fatal as the blows ofhos-
tily?
The honorable gentleman informs US, that the
South, before the Revolution, demonstrated
against slavery being forced upon them by Great
Britain, and he expressed his surprise that We
should now complain that She should express
desire TO see slavery abolished among us. Does
no, the honorable gentleman knowthat the very
fact he mentions is, in part, the ground OF our
complaint? When we were colonies OF England,
and she had an interest in the matter, she forced
slavery upon US; but now, when We are no longer
so-when We are a rival Of hers, and she is inter-
ested in our notwithstanding 10 her own Off.
cial declaration she is constantly exerting herself
TO destroy the very institution which her cupidity
forced upon u. Isit possible that there could be
stronger ground of complaint?
The honorable gentleman is mistaken in sup
posing, that Great Britain has gone no further
than to express wish ITO see" slavery abolished
in Texas. In the very despatch from which he
quotes, Lord Aberdeen says "It is we'll known,
both to the United States and the whole world,
that Great Britain desires, anil is constantly erert
ing herself to procure, the general abolition of
slavery throughout the world; but the means
which she has adopted, and will continue to adopt,
for this humane and yrtuous purpose, are open
and undisguiscd. With regard TO Texas, we
avow that we wish TO see slavery abolished there
as elsewhere But, although We earnestly desire.
and feel it duty topromote such 4 consumma-
lion, we shall not interfere anduiy, or with an i'm
proper assumption OF authority, with either par
", in order TO ensure the adoption of such
course" Here is something more than the ex-
preston Of wish 10 see slavery abolished
throughout the world. Here is an open avowa
BY the Government itself that j, is constantly CT
ertiag all Of its tremendous power TO compass this
end
But gentlemen answer, although she is thus
eXerting herself she does not mean 10 Interfere
nnduly and By an improper assumption of authori-
~. Now sir, the meaning ofthese words depends
upon the character Of the person by whom they
are used What one might consider very proper
another would think very improper. Paul Cliff
ford designed rs 4 sarcastic poItraiture Ola Br-
ish statesman, drawn By one Of themselves,
thought il not improper 10 rob upon the highway
and doubtless would have assured with cold i'm
pudence, an unfortunate traveller, in the very act
OF rifling his pockets. that he did not mean 10 in
rerfere with him unduly or by an improper as
sumption OF authority. The probability is, the
traveller would have looked upon his conduct in
very different light. But VIC are not left to con-
lec,ure as 10 what England will regard as proper
means 10 effect the end she has in view. She
lid not consider it an undue means oi efccting
dissolution of this Union an object which has
ever been near her heart as the eiiecua means
of DESTROYING our prosperity and power, 10 burn,
in vandal-like spirit, the Capitol Of this nation.
The heathenish act was not understood at the
time No important military purpose was TO be
accomplished by il, and The motive of il was not
understood, until since the war. a publication
made since, by an English officer engaged in the
expedition, explains ii.
II was vainly hoped at moment when there
was so much discomfort between the different
sections OF the country, that, il toe Capitol were
destroyed when the proposition was made 10 re-
build il, a movement would be set on foot 10 re-
move The sea, of Government and that adding
10 the discomfort already existing, would lead 10
dissolution Of the Union. We shall hereafter see
that for the purpose OF aboshing the slave-Irade,
with motives of ACKNOWLEDGEMENT similar 10 those
which ac,ua,eS her now, she did not hesitate TO
cxpend millions OF money and cede away i'm
portant colonies She does not consider il as an
improper means of effectng her object TO invite
The Abolitionists at the North TO an agitation Of
The subject oil slavery, with view OF its aboli-
lion here; nor in her Worlds Convention, as il
was ambitiously called held in her metropolis, TO
lay down the plan Tor their operation. In 1892
prior 10 which time there was no agitation npon
the subject Of slavery in this Hall, no hue and
cry about the right oil petition, there was raised in
the British Parliament a commitiee on the sub
leet Of slavery The following question was
propounded by that committee 10 Mr. Ogden, the
American Consul at Liverpool:
''ro Mn. OGDEN: Ii you could suppose that
the slaves OF Louisiana were generally able TO
read, and that angry discussions 7ey;,ctualiy foo.
y,acg IN Congress on the subject of their liberia
tion, which discussions, by means of reading,
were made known 10 the slaves o.. Louisiana,
do You think that with safety The state OF slavery
could endure there's"
The result Of the answer 10 this question was
seen in the Worlds Convention. The benefits,
as they were pleased 10 call it, OF The agitation
Of The subject OF slavery on this floor, is thus cx
planned:
1.-THE interest which they themselves will take
in the discussion. In spite OF all precautions,
the slaves will become acquainted with what 50
deeply interests ihem and SO lar as they DO self
respect will be generaied-ane xceentand proilta-
bic sentiment for a free hbOrcr, but runous 10 The
Stare. II was the testimony OF the planters of Ia
lnaica before the British Parliament that their
slaves became acquainted with all that passed in
respect 10 them in the mother country, and were
fhcrebv nuch Voted fill Tho nlnceS M SlavpS
with slavish obedience"
1.-THE knowledge Of the slave that 4 portion OF
the whites arc exerting themselves for his eman-
cpaton, upon the ground that he is Illegally
held in bondage, will make him, they say impa-
1ient in his servitude. Il will make him sullen
and moody. twill inci;e him 10 indulge deans
Of freedom in another land which he can never
enjoy in his own He will be reduced 10 a con
dilion in which his master cannot rely upon his
labor He will be disposed to run away, and at
n time when his services can be least spared
The master will be subjected 10 constant and
heavy expense 10 re-capture him. He will thus
become 10 his owner source of vexation rather
Than comfort, OF trouble and expense rather than
profit"
Another means which England will not con
slider as undue to effect her object Is 10 take adj
vantage ofthe present condition Of Texas TO force
her TO abolish slavery the condition the qua
ranty Of her independence. Al this time, when
Texas is weak and threatened with invasion by
inhuman barbarians. England does not hesitate
10 take advantage of this sort OF duress TO force
Texas to consent 10 abolish slavery. As proof
of this, | refer TO late article which | cut from
a late number of the London Times, which is
known to be the organ OF the British Government,
and to speak its sentiments That article is in
these words:
at is possible, that The intelligence Of Mr..
Folks election may suggest more guarded
course 10 the Mexican General; but, on the other
hand, the vehement threats Of annexation with
whichihe Democratic party have brought in their
candidate, may induce the Mexicans 10 strike
blow in the next few months, before The new Go
vernment is installed al Washington.
"IInier these critical circumstance II is not