Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-02-06

CPon ms pUtRi, Men IRE haze dear rtDht 10 he |
maze peftec4y secure The principles OF The Con
slulion add their sanction TO the dictates OF neces.
shy IN urging Us 10 maintain this right al all ha-
Zarus. ne exerllons made at the North, 10 place
the institution Of slavery under the ban OF the
Constitution; the Insulting declaration of the
British Government, made through Lord Aber-
deem, mai every eXeron shall be made 10 drive
the slave States beyond the pale Of civilization
and the support and sanction which had been gil
ven 10 both, not only in the halls of Federal Lee
glslallon, but By our own citizens, in our midst,
must convince every one that We do not enjoy
that security which we have right 10 require
mat security which We cannot enjoy unless the
control OF the slave institutions Of the South is
secured 10 those whose destiny depends on it,
Therefore, without pretending to ioresee all the
results which. will flow from the annexation
OF Texas to the United States or the precise in
iiuence II Will exert over the institutions Of the
South, We are warranted by the great issues in
volyed, TO dCmam Texas at The hands Of the Ge-
neral Governmen for, il annexation does not
take place, il is only because our State inslitu-
lions are not entrusted 10 those 10 whom they
rightiuly belong-to those whose peace, security
and prosperity mus, depend on The fate of slavery.
Your committee have hailed with great plea
sure The passage OF a joint resolution by the
lower House OF Congress having for its object
look with confidence TO The wisdom and Justice of
The Senate for its speedy adoption there Ii is
not 10 be believed that American Senators will
be 50 lost 10 the national honor and interest as
10 permitpary lies or inlrgues for the agsrandiZc-
lnent OF themselves, OF The elevation OF some paTt
GUAR Presidential aspirani, 10 swerye them from
their duty 10 the country, and the decision of
the people. Can any one believe that the Sena-
tors from New York. the choice OF the Demo-
cracy Of thai great Stale, will fy in The face OF
her expressed will? Will Virginia Senators for
get voice which spoke SO strongly in November
last, and violate, not only the will OF her people,
but deny the accomplishment Of her dearest, most
anxious hopes2 Wecannot bnt eneran the be-
lief that patriotism will rise superior over party
feeling or personal interest and lhate desire ofthe
people will not be thwarted by the falihessness
oil lis Representatives.
Your Committee cannot refrain from express
sing their surprise al The tardy action Of The Vir-
ginia Legislature, and the reasons assigned by
some OF the Wing members The voters of Fir-
ginia having decided BY near six thousand ma or-
ity in favor Of James h Polk, the main issue on
which his claims were presented being the i'm
mediate annexation of Texas; and il having been
The nvariable custom upon all occasions OF great
national importance for our Legislature 10 express
to our Senators in Congress the wishes OF her peo
pie, thereby adding 10 their influence the moral
weight of sustaining constituency, il is not only
with surprise, but with profound regret, that We
have seen delay which may seriously tend 10
defeat the accomplishment Of an object SO deeply
interesting 10 the Union, and 10 no Stale more
thanto Virginia. Your Committee, while the sub
ject is under discussion in the Legislature, sitting
in This place, will not proceed 10 express further
their opinions, but they urge upon every true Vir-
sinian TO permit no other feeling save that
OF an unbiased attachment 10 Virsinas in
tcrest and Virginia's principles to operate up
on his conduct; such will be remembered
hereafter as men OF homer and OF worth,
while those who allow the excitement Of party 10
overcome the sense of duty, NAV find, in the OBJ
livion 10 which they will be consigned the safest
retreat from the just Indignation Of their betray
cd constituents.
Another OF the questions which We conceive 10
have been decided in the late Presidential cleo
ton, is the reduction of the Tariff of lSl2.-
After the proceedings of the House of Repre-
sentatives, in The session of 1913, 1874, little
could be expected from il, although its large
Democratic majority might have appeared 10
guarantee a return 10 The principles of the
compromise act; but after the election of Mr..
Polk il might have been fairly anticipated that
the false step, taken al the last session, would
have been retraced, and that ere this the opprcs-
SIGN OF manufacturing monopocs would have
ceased 10 exist.
These an,icipaions have not been realised,
and il remains for US to say in what manner
this burthen should be removed. That the Agri-
cultural part ofthe community will submit toi
is not 10 be supposed; that The slave-hclding por-
ton OF that community will refuse 10 sustain
il, is positively certain The high respect enter
tanned By your committee for the talents, charac-
Ter and determination oflhe Prcsidcntelect, induces
them 10 hope much from his Influence and exer-
lions in behalf Of return 10 the principles OF the
Constitution and the justice due from one portion
OF these States 10 thu others; but they feel il their
duty TO say 10 The present Congress, that con-
tnued refusal on lis part 10 reduce the Tariff,
casts strong suspicion on the faith OF all Demo-
Gratis who are not noe strenuous in their efforts TO
procure an immediate reduction Southern men,
bers ofhe Wing party are almost as little 10 be
justified for permitting party associations TO carry
them into sric; affilialion with Abolitioniss and
the interested supporters manufacturing mono
poles on the floor otCongress.
The bill forthe occupation Of Oregon, now pend
ing in Congress, meets our warmest approval and
the unanilnity olhe Democratic party in itssupport
presents happy omen ofiuture action npon other
subjects to which We have alluded We are con-
WINGED that this territory is rishtfully ours, and
that the claims Of Great Britain upon il are found
ed rather in rapacous assumption, Than in any
conviction of her right.
Influenced by these considerations, your COM
mtee most respectfully present the following re-
solutions:
/. Resolred, That in The late Presidential cleo
ton the immediate annexation of Texas was one
of the most prominent subjects OF difference be-
tween the Democratic party and the Wing par
", and that the people Of the States did, by their
votes, decide n.lavor of immediate annexation.
,,,ip lt,fin for
annexation of Texas, offered By Mr.. Milton
Brown, and passed in tine House OF Representa-
tiyes, meets our most cordial approbaion-and
that we hereby tender our thanks 10 those BY
whose zeal and ability it was accomplished.
g. Reso'rrd, That the people OF Virginia have
shown, BY their vote at the polls in November
last that the immediate annexation OF Texas
ought, in their opinion, TO take place; and that il
is the duty OF our Senator'S in Congress 10 use all
honorable cxertions to secure the same.
4. Rcsoired, That the Legislature Of Virginia |
ought. in Difference 10 established usage, and 10
the will of their constituents, TO instruct our Sc
natoIs'in Congress TO vote for the Joint resolution
for the annexation OF Texas.
: Remlred. That reduction of The Tariff of
1912 TO a revenue standard, was declared expe- |
dent by the votes OF the people in The Preslden-
tial contest between James X. Polk OF Tennes-
see and Henry Clay of Kentucky.
G. Resolred That the Democratic majority in |
Congress would by making such reduction, per-
form their duty to their constituents; and that,
by refusing or neslecling the same, they render
themselves unworthy Of our confidence, and in
lct lasting injury on the interests OF the country
and the welfare of the Democratic party.
:. Resolrcd, That it is especially the duty OF
the Senators and Representatives OF Virginia in
Congress, to exert all proper means to procure
- 1T m
standard.
8 Resolred, Tha, the Territory Of Oregon is
rish,ully ours and that our title thereto should at
all hazard be maintained.
Virginia Legislature did, by their acquiescence
in The joint order for the election Of Senator. and
BY the nomination OF their candidate, Mr.. Hun
Ter Of Essex, prove their readiness TO proceed in
the election and that the circumstances OF The
case. rs we'll as the course Of the Wing party in
relation TO the same fully justified the Democrats
in refusing 10 postpone the execution OF the order.