Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-02-12
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JOHN S. GALA HER.
REMARKS OF Mr.. GALLAHER.


In The Senate on Friday last, on The Resolution
from the House, proposing 10 return certain
Resolutions OF The Legislature of Vermont, on
The subject oil the Mexican War and Slavery.
Mr. GALLAHER remarked, that he was one
OF those who had always thought the Southern
people exhibited entirely 100 much scnsibily
when this subject OF slavery was introduced
He never could perceive the necessity Of jump
ing into passion on such occasions, and Of ran
ing and swearing as il we doubled our own rights
For himself, when his individual rights were
clear, he generally fell. perfectly calm on the
subject, and evinced no concern al finding them
assailed. Just So in reference 10 our constiu.
liona rights or this delicate subject Of slavery
He would 60 as lar as any one in repelling all!
assaults and rcbuking all improper nlerfer renee
on this subject, by citizens OF the Northern States;
but he though! il would better become The dgni-
ty OF The Virginia Assembly 10 keep cool when
called upon 10 act. The effect would be decided
ly more impressive, not only upon The fanatics, +"
as they are termed, but upon our own people
And This practice, Mr.. Speaker, OF invariably
using ephets on the subject, is not in good taste
MIR. G. often felt amused al The freedom with
which such terms were employed. Il happens,
very naturally, that persons born and reared al
The North were opposed to slavery-whilst those
Of the South thought differently No, sir, moi
our own people entertain precisely the same
opinion; bu, as this mater vi slavery is an affair
n our oicn, we do not mean 10 le, The Northern
people meddle with il at ALL and Tor This reason
we have adopted the method OF returning 10 Them
their resolutions denouncing it.
Mr.. G. had noticed, in The cursory reading Of
The document, that these good people of Vermont,
also were profuse in The use OF epithets We de-
signa,e them as Fanatics" and they talk OF
others as degraded by ignorance and supersti-
ton" merely, he supposed, on account Of diff
ference Of opinion as 10 religion. He would
calmly return these resolutions relating 10 slave
ry, with the simple resolve that, whilst The Gene
raj Assembly VI Virginia would interchange
opinions with her sister Saes upon legitimate
constitutional subjects, they would hol. no in
lercourse with them upon this most delicate one
Mr.. G. had joined the other day, III The unani-
nous rote returning The New Hampshire resolu.
TONS and he desired most cordially 10 unite with
Senators in returning these but The majority
asked 100 much, when they desired him 10 give
a vote agains, his judgment on another and very
different subject. He was one of those who
thought the Mexican war an unnecessary one -
a war brought upon Us By The has,y and uncon-
stiluional action of the President Of the United
Slales-and one which might have been honor
ably avoded-bu being In for 1t, he would give
all proper ali 10 carry u on, without surrenderine
in the slightest degree his freedom Of thought, or
his right as citizen OF free country, 10 pro-
nounce his opinion upon the misconduct OF its
authors. His proposition waived The discussion
of this question at this time. A, proper period,
he would be as ready as The gentleman from
Scott, or any other. 10 express his opinions,
either here or ION The stump" and be had no
doubt the dominant party would be sick enough
OF this War subject before they were done with il.