Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-11-05

iairly presented himself i'll true abolition cojors
wns, he was candidate.
In order 10 understand and Justly appreciate
The abolition doctrines Of The governors message
OF 1886. il will be necessary to take hasty re.
view OF the cause which produced their open and
solemn avowal Upon examination, his will
clearly appear 10 be the defeat which lhe abol-
lionisS had sustained al the session Of Congress
Immediately preceding his message, and the he
cessi:y that The governor Of Pennsylvania should
come 10 The rescue Of his associates.
Before The spirit o. abolition had been conjurcd
up from lis dark abode by political fanatics and
hol-headed enthusiasts, all was comparatively
peaceful and tranquil in the Southern States
slavery had been most unfortunately introduced
into these States by our British foreahers. II
was there at the adop ion oi The federal constitu-
lion, and this constitution Gid TO. merely
leave it there but it expressly guaranteed 10
The ssavehoIclne States their properly in slaves,
| and lie exclusive dominion over the Qucs-
lion Of slavery within their respective borders =
Such IS The Gear language u The constitution IL
self and such was The construction which the
first Congress placed upon it. Without this so.
Tenn Constitutional compact, The southern States
never would have become parties TO The Union
| and The blessings and benefits which il has con-
tered, and will confer, not only upon our own
country, but the whole human race, would never
have been realized. Those in The free States,
who determine 10 violate this compact, must de.
lermine 10 dissolve The Union. The one is ne.
cessary consequence Of the other.
The sOulhel people, before abolition common
ced, reposins on their constitutional rights, had
much. very much, ameloraed the condition OF
their slaves. Education, and particularly religi-
Gus education, was becoming common amongst
them. In several Of The States, the question OF
| gradual cpalion had begun 10 be freely dis
cussed. This question had been seriously deba-
ted in Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky. and Mis-
| souri, and the doctrine had lound numerous and
talented advocates among the NEST distinguished
men OF those Slaes In Virginia, the voice OF
the friends Of gradual emancipation had been
raised with power in her legislative halls and
had been almost successful Another effort, and
this ancient and powerful commonwealth might
| have followed The example of Pennsylvania, and
| have become a Tree Slale.
But the spirit OF abolition has blishted the fair
prospect, and has postponed Tor long period, il
| not forever the Emancipation oi The slave. Self
preservation, which is The first law oi nature, and
The lear Of seTvie instruction, with all lis alien
dan; horrors have compelled the master 10 abridge
the liberty and indulgence which he formerly
granted 10 his slave No sound oil emancipation
now gfeels The ear in any Of The southern States
No man could be found there, at the present mo.
men sufficiently bold 10 attempt 10 raise the ques-
/ lion in any legislative assemble. Such have been
the direlu effects Of abolition upon The poor slaves
themselves.
Al the session Of 1885 70, that session which
Immediately preceded Gov. Rilncr's message, Tue
question Of abolition had occupied much OF The
| time and attention Of Congress. IL had been dis
cussed under every possible aspect. Petitions lcr
the abolition of slavery in the District Of Colum-
bia, got up and circulated by The anti slave
ry societies, poured into Congress from The
Tree States. This was he only mode in which
The abolilioniss could agitale the question
| in Congress because no fanatic, 10 Mr.. b.
| -L--.-,- h.o"isis,, hat tiIrn Uecn ~ !liad as
10 contend that Congress had any power over sa-
very within the slave States themselves Peli-
lions Ia abolish slavery in The District Of Column
ba formed pan OF the grand scheme OF agitation
BIZ which the abolionsts expected 10 accomplish
heir purposes Throughout the spring, summer
and autumn Il 1885, a combined attempt was
made upon he Southern States, nu' only o. as-
Iaion in the North, but by scattering over the
South, through the post otiice, and by travelling
agents The viest publications and pictorial rep
rcsentaliuns lie had himself seen many Of them.
Their natural tendency was 10 produce dssatIs-
faction and revolt among the slaves, and 10 IN
cite their Wild passions 10 vengeance. seryile
instruction would present scene OF horrors
which he should mol attempt 10 depict IL would
spare neither age nor sex. What agony ot mind
must have been suffered, especially by The senler
sex, during this period ui alarm Many mo-
thcr c,asped her in!an, To her bosom when she
retired 10 rest, under dreadful appfehensions thai!
she might be aroused from her slumbers by the
savage wells OF the slaves by whom she was sur
rounded These were the works oil the abolition
lists The motives OF many of them may have
been honest. but their zeal was without know
ledge. The history oil mankind affords numerous
instances OF ignorant enthusiasts, The purity Of
whose intentions could not be doubted, who have
spread devastation and boodshed over The lace 81
the earth. THIS abuse of The post office had &C.
come 81 alarming, that Gen. Jackson, in eloquent
and indignant language, called the special Al
leniiun ol Congress 10 i! in his message oil De
cember, 1885, and recommended remedy. I'm
connection" said he, "wih these provisions in
relation 10 the Post Office Department, must al
SO invite your attention 10 the painful excitement
produced in the South ty attempts 10 circulate
through the mails intlammalory appeals 10 The
slaves. and in various SORTS Of publications, cal.
cula,ei 10 stimulate them 10 insurecii1n, and IL
produce all the horrors Of a seville war
Under The influence OF the feelings excited by
these causes the Southern members OF Congress
reached Washington in December, 1889 Many
oil Them. with sorrow and anguish ui hear, de-
clareL. that il the Southern States could not re-
main in The Union without having their domes-
tic peace continually disturbed by The attempts
OF the abolitioniss, the great law Of selipreser,
walton would compel them 10 separate from iheiI
brethren OF The North. Immediately alter the
commencement OF the session. and throughout us
continuance, The abolitonsls intent upon lheii
object sent immense numbers Of petitions 10 Con
gress for The abolition OF slavery in The D:siiic
al Columbia, cuuched in Language calculated Y
c1aspcrate The Southern members. Nhat u'd
they ask That in that district OF ten mlies
square coded 10 Congress by two sa"eholdine
States, AMI surrounded BY them, slavery shor.d
be abolished What would have resulted from
oranting rbeir request You would thus have
established citadel in the very heart OF these
States. upon territory which they had grant
cd 10 you for Tar different purpose, iron
which aboIi.ioniss and incendiarles coulc
securely attack The peace and safely OF thcii
citizens The District would have become city
Of REFUGE within the slaveholding States, for run
away slaves. You would have created, by law
a central magazine, from which trains oil gun
nowder miehl be securely laid, extending into The
surroupdin. States, which might, at any moment
5 produce a fearful and destructive explosion
By passing such law, you would nave miro
dncsd The enc nv into The very bosom OF these two
, States and afforded him an excellent oppor,un
10 10 producc a serviie insurrccticn. Is there
any reasonable man who can Tor moment sup
pose that Virginia AMI Marylan would have
cedsd the District of Columbia 10 The uni,ec
STATES. il thew had entertained the slightest idea
Thai Conoress would ever abuse il for any such
: I purposel They coded il Tor the use and couve
r nriencc of the government OF the United States
and 10 persen this grant 10 The destruction olthes'
Two States would be violation oil The most 50
I.mn fai.h. When slavery shall cease 10 exis
under The laws OF Virginia and Maryland, (anC
this probably nigh, have been the case be.ol:
many ycars, had il no; been for The efforts OF the
aboonsis, then, and not ill then, ought II to DC
abolished in The District oil Columbia.
Impeed by these motives, the Senate, upon
, his motion, AFTER the petitions had been received
rejected the prayer OF The petitioners oy yo'e
81 TO 6, and refused 10 abolish slavery IN lh'
District Of Columbia. ] he two senators iron
. Massachuseus, The Two senators from Vernon,
one from Indiana and one e, from Rhode RSd s IS No
4 Hou.e these petitions shared similar fate
e they were referred to a committee, a majoii..
=, which consisted OF representatives from fire.
>fC anthC q