Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-06-27

cord with us in the opinion as 10 the existence
the power in question, and the eXpedency Of .,
| ercisiDg il whenever The occasion for so donp .,
rives, We have the best reasons to know.
The power, the existence of which is al mi.
late day denied, is, in my opinion, fully granted
10 Congress By the Constitution Its language
the circumstances under which it was atoo,et
the recorded explanations which accompanied il.
| ioImation-the construction il has received irom
| our highest judicial tribunals, and the rery So
!emn and repeated combinations j, has derivec
from the measures u The gOyernment-leave no
shadow q doubt in my mind in regard 10 the
authority of Congress 10 exercise the power in
question. This is not new opinion On my mar
nor the frs, occasion on which il has been ayow
ed. While the candidate OF my friends for The
Presidency, distinctly announced my opinion IN
1 favor OF the power of Congress 10 abolish slave.
~ in the District OF Columbia, although was
Tor reasons which were then, and are SATISFACTORY
10 my mind, very decidedly opposed TO its exer.
else there. The question OF power is certainly as
clear in respect 10 ne territories as il is in rega,t
10 that district; and 10 The territories mr. opi1
| ion was also made known in a still more solemn
io;m by giving the executive approval required
by the Constitution, 10 The bill for the organizs
lion Of the territorial government Of Iowa, which
| prohibited The introduction OF slavery inlo lb.,
| territory.
| The opinion from which we dissent was eive,
in the lace Of, and directly contrary 10 The view.
| expressed in forms The most solemn and e1nli.,
| BY all or nearly all the non.slavehodine Sia,s.
and we are 70: al liberty TO suspect the sinca,,y
| OF these expressions. Honest and well n,ea,i,,
men, as We know the masses Of or poli,ic.l
| friends in those States 10 be, are Incapable ~
trihing with SO grave suJect.
Our ancestors signalizsd the commencement,
| OF this glorious government OF ours By !cscuinc
from subjecion TO slavery. territory which i
now covered by five erea, States, and peoplei hv
more than four millions CT fIeemen 10 the mi
enjoymen, o! every blessing which Industry ami
good institutions can confer. They did This when
| the opinions and conduct OF the world in rrear;
| 10 The institution Of slavery were very diferer.
| from what they are now.
They did so before Great Britain had cysn
commenced those gigantic efforts iorlhe >upprss.
sion q ,-layery by which she has greatly dis
| Ioyment OF the sacred and invaluable i1ehp3;
| self.aovcrnmenl, obtained Tor Us b. the vaot and
discretion OF cur ancestois, We, their descendants
are called upon 10 doom, or il that Is 100 s;Iurea
| word 10 expose 10 the inrOad OF slavery, teri.
tory capable Of sustaining an equal numb.E ol
| new S aiss 10 be added 10 our rcniederacy pr.
Ii,ory in great part OF which slavery has never
existed in fact, and from The residue OF which ].
has been expressly abolished 10y the existing %.
vernmeni. We are called upon 10 do this al K.
| riod when the minds OF nearly all mankina have
! teen penetrated by conviction OF The evils q
slavery, and are uEing IN efor.s for It's supPIe,
| sion-at moment, too, when The spirit OF Tree.
dom and reform is every where lar more pfesa.
| len, than il has ever been, and when our fepub
i l.. fha Al.
| OF the world in the science Of tree government;
Who can believe thai population like ,ha.
which inhabits the non slaveholdng States, pro
badly amounting TO twelve millions, who BY
their own acts, or by the foresight OF olher,,
have been exempted from the evils OF slayer,
can, al such moment, be induced, BY csnsice.
rations OF any description, to make a retrogra:s
movement of character so extraordinary 81!
so painful, Such movement would in ry
view Of the matter, and say it with unfeigrst
! Difference to the conflicting opinions Of olhe.
bring reproach upon the influence OF free Inst
lutions, which would delight the hearts ande
ci'c the hopes of the advocates Of arbitrary
power throughout he world
Holding these opinions, you have duties topper
form as important as they are delicate. hiae
first place, you should adhere infexibly 10 your
i
right, and no longer. This you will do. In The
text place you should present your views in re
gard 10 them, calmly and distinctly, but firmly,
to your political brethren Of the slayeholias
States, with full statement Of the reasons o.
which they are founded, that those reasons ma.
be con,rovcrted if they are not sound Thh
you have done.
In other important respects yonr positions ar
| oh hp n
principle you desire 10 promote was commence
IN The right place. though perhaps Dol the nc
desirable moment, and was not accompanied b.
par,izan measures or founded on political designs
OF any description, as lar as know or have !ea.
son 10 believe. II understand your course you!
delegates went 10 The convention prepared 10 n.
cept The nomination otany sound Democrat, ~.
hal not actually submitted TO lest which implr.
ted The well known aud repeatedly expressed on.
Mon OF your Stale, without inter!ogaiing hin IL
regard 10 his opinion on this particular quesica.
In taking this ground you pursued the ons
course by which the Democratic party Q! he
Union, as hitherto organized, can be perPe.aatl
| and The just and fair minded men Of the paryrs
cry where will, when the present excitement tas
passed away, approve your conduct One thin,
more, and your whole action will, in the end, a.
tract the attention and enlist the good feeling
all just and generous minds. lie, your tarte
proceedings in this whole matter be dis,ngusa.
cd by moderation and torberance.
Injustice must be Observation-Disclosures rerele
and ali this can he done with decency and viii
out impeachment OF he motives OF whole con
munies on account OF The conduct of indivira
The situation OF your political brethren IN z: |
slave holding States is not as favorable to CAL
discussion and dispassionale consideration !.
yours, and more will therefore, 10 this respecl, Z T
expected a, your hands II your differences M,
continue do you al least sustain yonr views WI
| out viiuperaion or unnecessary excitement OF al
description. Exemplify your fifmness and y.1 +
confidence in the BUSINESS OF your cause by 2.
best OF all es,s-lhe dignity and moderation az =
which you uphold it. When The election is oTe'
and reason resumes her empire, the ground With +
| has been taken By your southern brethren wi ~
reviewed with calmness, and il found 10 be uasr |
able, you are bourd 10 believe it will be aa:
doned. Hin This you are disappointed, il vii =
be consolation TO know that you have ~
nothing unnecessarily which conli seTt
exasperaie alterations which may then be- Z
incufabe.
II I. - II