Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-10-14
AN ADMIRABLE PAPER.

Some weeks since, We promised 10 Te-Fubsh
from The August No. OF the Southern Literary
Messenger an able and conclusive review and re
lnratioa Of 'Ihe Massachusetts proposition for
ahnlishing tie slave representation ns guaranteed
hv The Constitution" A pressure Of other matter,
Of daily occurrence, has prevented rs, until the
present time, from reieeming our promise. We
mos chcerully admit il into Our columns now,
and ask for il an attentive perusa lis facts ard
It's arguments are most important. and are pre-
scented with much power |, arFreis over M
signature of ''R. T. IL" and evinces much close
thinking and deep research. IL dissecls and ey-
poses with mastery hand, The Report q!
Messrs. Adams ana Gidings, in favor Of
aholishng The slave representation. That Report
was made 10 The House OF Representatives last
wear. and is sreeious, sophi,,,ca exceedingly Of
fensive 10 The South and palpably slandcrous
upon Virginia.
The following able essay, in defence 81 The
slave representation, ard In rindichlion oil lht
rights and interests Of the South traces 10 lis
source The insnlen ard mischcvous Massachu-
ses proposition for abnlishing The slave repre-
sentation Ii gives tie history oi he origin OF he
nlave representation, hnd the causes which lei 10
It's insertion in the Constitution, and is ad"r'Ion
by The Srates-shows the temper with which II
was received by The Massachusetts Convention,
assembled 10 Iatify The Federal Constuliun-ai-
aucs al some length, and with force, in favor oil
The existing provision Of lie C"n'lirlrn ana
susains ito arguments by amp le authorities. II
reviews HE positions taken by Mcs>Is. Adams
and Gldings, and repels their unjust and insult
ing attack upon Y;;sinia-scve'e'y rerroves lhf
conduct Of The Ahvlilionisis, ard walns lhem oil
i,,, rrndvo,, - :'ieir observation-disclosures onT
rights 10 slave properiy-caIs upci. ...c ."p,e o.
the free States 10 comply viii. their constitutional
obligations, and 10 do justice 10 the South by sur
rendering fugitive slavts-and warmly recon-
nends an homes, and faithful adherence to he
compromises of The Constitution, as esseh'lal 10
the maintenance Of .har glorious Union, which
every patriot shnnh desire 10 perPeluale
When we see ia Cincinnati The slave represen.
,a,ion strongly Recommendation, dnTing shr las'
,brep wears we have witnessed numerous siinl-
lar instances in Tie Northern States-when up
wards Of 65, 600 persons signed petition, pray
ing the Legislature OF Massachusetts 10 recon-
! mend such alterations in The FEDERAL Constitution
| as would separate Massachusetts from MI con-
nett,on with anrery"-when, in !iae. The signs o
The times are becoming more and more unrropl
;ious in regard 10 The agitation OF Ibis distui hin1
and delicate subject does il become Us 10 acqui
esce in silence, and have cur lives ard rToreFy
endangered, or shall We firmly maintain oul
,iob,s and invoke the cooperation o; all North
ern pa,riois 10 arrest the mischievous results
1he arduous task j. admirably act onplIshet
he The writer who shows himsel. 10 be states
;uan. scholar ard patriot. His views ale soun(
ard expanded, ard appeal 10 The wine and pair
a,sm Of al 4 mericans. Is useful lessons are n'
OF instruction. aud point our the only means OF Sc
curing he peace and safely OF This blessed Union
Nav his warning voice sink deep inIo Tie hearl'
&c our Northern neighhors, and urn many sin
ners 10 repentance andIeiormatlcn
THE MASSACHUSETTS PROPOSITION,
s,,r ,5cli sling tkc Sere Representation as Guar
anti.d 6v;he Constitution.
| This proposition 10 destroy one oi me iuhea
mental com promises Q! The CONSTITUTION oi,g'hat
! cd apparently from petition scEt 10 TUG -es's
! latuIe OF Massachusetts during Inc session Q
1928, and signed BY more than TO, OVo persons
who asked,
! Isl. That law should be passed, 10y the LIE
g;.Is,nre of Massachuseu>,) loibidding all persons
Who hold office under The government OF Massa
chuseue. from aiding or abelting, the arrest or &c
ten,ion Of any person who may be claimed as
fugitive from slavery r,.,,;,,
sdly. That law should be passed, ioIoied'n'
The use Of the jails CT other public properly
The State for The detention Of any such person.
3rdIy. Tina, such amendments in Inc Cons'l'u !
| lion OF the United Siatss be proposed by inc Il