Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1849-02-15
VIRGINIA RESOLUTIONS RESPECTING
SLAVERY

III 'ie senate, on Monday. MT Hunter presented the
resolutions passed by the Legislature of Virginia
Mr. Hunter, IN presenting the resoluti rs, said
present to yon series Of resolutions recently passed Dy
the General Assembly Of Virginia in relation to tn SUB
lect OF slavery Some years SINCE that State fe
It TO BE- her ddy, nader the circumstances, which sur
rounded her. 70 declare her opinions to The oht o
Congress to prohibit slavery in territory TO be acquired
either by conquest treaty. These resolutions denied
the power Of Congress to control directly indirectly the
Institution Of slavery, to impair the rights Of the
slave holder they declare that the territory be acqur-
ed ny the United States from any foreign Power would
be the common property Of the States and that any Eel
eral legislation, which directly Indirectly prevented
the citizens Of any Of the States from emgaling 10 it
with their property, OF whatever description would viz
late the constitution and the rights Of the Safes would
deTogae from That perfect equality which belongs 10 the
States. of this conederacy and tend to snbvert the L
mon Itself, they proclaimed that if the " lnot Provso
should be adopted, in disregard of the spirit and pTnci
Pies Of The Missouri compromise AMI If every cunsidera
ton OF right justice and tatena feeling. the people Of
Virginia could have nodff atyin choosing between he
only alternatives that would then remain Of aect sub
mission 10 aggression and outrage the hand or
determined resistance the other all hazards and to
the list extremity They DECLARED to he the duty Of
every man from every section Of his conederacy. If he
loves the Union to oppose the passage OF such law
and In the event Of its enactment they warned the slave
holdng Slaesand every citizen thereof. that it would be
their dutv, They valued their dearest privileges their
perry TO take firm. nrled and concerted ac in that
emergency Such were the resolutions unanimously a
dopted BY the General Assembly Of Virginia in ISL
Since that period there have been two general elections
by the people and aga at the present session Of the
Legislature these resolutions have been solemny reaf
rmed with the addition of another made necessary bv
the progress Of events That resolution declares il to be
the opinion Of the General Assembly that any claw
bnshng slavery or the slave trade in the District of
Coumbi would be direct attack upon the institu-
/ ttt i11 l,o
ard"
lie adoption of these resolutions, Mr. President was
perhaps due from the State, not only 10 the tights Of her
own citizens, but to the Union which she has ever
sought to cherish aud preserve If She entertained these
opinions, it her duty her sister States of her
feelings and intentions, in the most solemn form known
to her proceedings.
TO manifest tile sincerity Of her desire to promote
concord she approaches her confedeaes not ONLY in the
spirit, but in the very language ofcOmpromse and sub
mlts 70 their consideration the fearful alternatives be-
tween which she must choose If she cannot be permitted
10 retain her position of equality in this Union even BY
the sacrifice fher rights and interest. It was once-
may be, perhaps, still-withn the range Of VISIBILITY
thai such course the part Of the Southern States
might induce pause in the progress of what eli
be aggression and insult, however differently may have
been Intended tany rate. ii is due from Vrrinia 10
make every effort to save both the Union and tie indis
pensabe rights of her people. 1t is due from her because
no State has contributed than she did 10 make ana
maintain the Union as il is exists In almost every
cattle Of the Revouti9n-from the heights Of Abraham
the plains OF Geogla-fron what then the remote
northwest-from kaskaska aud Vincennes to jersey
and the Carolinas-her blood poured and to the
extent of her means, her treasure as freely expen
ded.
She not only sacrificed to make, but also to maintain
TIE union Of the States. 10 secure harmony and BRO
faernal feelings she ceded away her northwestern
territory and submitted to conditions which rave frev
er, the preponderance Of political power the nonslave
holding Staes-s) little she jealous Of their Dr. rress
or doubtful OF their disposition at all times Do her us
/ tIce. Uader all circumstance and at all times, she ha
manifested her attachment 10 the Union. She has rear
ed her sons TO cherish and it as. originally it
formed 1t has ever been a household word with US
sacred fur its domestic associations, and Which neve
| passed the lips that il did not stir the heart.
Sir. we have been taught to believe that constitu
ton if administered truly, and in spirit Of justice anc
tFatena feeling contained securities for human hap
pincss and the liberty Of the citizens than any ohsr il