Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-03-02

IS burgess ana >. "A. NJ. Leland Wee Presidents;
and Messrs. X. S. Cox and AndrewJ. Brent Sc
cretarieS.
The object Of the meeting was explained by
Mr.. john K. Stl.h, who, al the conclusion OF his
remarks, moved that the President appoint q
committee OF nine TO prepare a Preamble and
Resolutions suitable 70 the occasion: which
motion bcing carried, the Chair appointed The
following: Mcssrs. X 4. Cls,brook, Edwin
helms, Ferdinand Blackwell, John 4. Stith,
Thomas Gasklns, William X. Purkirs, james
Haynie, Thomas 5. Lycll and Edwin Brown
The committee retired, and, alter consultation,
reported through their Chairman. u A. Clay
brook, the following Preamble and Resolutions,
which were ably ard eloguently sustained By
Messrs. Claybrook ard Blackwell, and were
unanimously adopted, 10 Wit:
We have witnessed, with The most painful
concern, the renewal OF agitation on the sub
jcc, Of slavery in the Congress Of the United
states, and the recent attempt 10 interfere with
that institution, as il exists III The District OF
Columbia; for we cannot but regard the whole
movement as one not only al war with that
spirit OF harmony, Cancellation and compromise,
which influenced The councils Of the nation at
the adoption Of the Federal Constitution, and
which is absolutely essential 10 the complete
and permanent enjoyment of the blessings Of
Union, but as conceived IN a spirit Of deter.
mined hostility and wanton aggression.
Ard decming IT important tina. he position OF
the South, with respect 10 this delicate aud ex-
citing subject, should be well understood al this
! %juncture, and should be clearly defined ~ the
people in their primary assemblies. the more
| especially since their silence thus far has been
construed into c%allous indifference: Therefore,
Isl, Resolved, That The Constitution Of the
United States, according 10 the manifest design
Of its trainers, distinctly recognizes a right Of
property in negro slaves, and guarantees the
ENJOYMENT of that right wherever il exist. To
this extent the interference OF Congress with
this subject is legitimate and proper, and no
farther. There Is no power gwen 10 create or
abol sh that rlght-to impose any extensions,
limitations or restrictions on It's enjoyment,
either as to time, place or manner, or TO affect
II b. legislation IN any other way; butthe whole
subject was wisely Ieft by our fore fathers 10 such
municipal regulations a any sectional DIVISION
of the people might think proper 10 establish,
whenever they should have the political capa-
city so 10 10.
"a. Resolved, That legislative precedent,
established as il nearly always $ amidst the
heated contests OF party or The ferce struggles
Of faction, is entitled 10 no influence III The
construction OF the Federal Constitution; for
otherwise we must admit the supremacy OF The
law-makiug power, refer TO The acts OF Con
sress as our guide, and The ultimate effect
would be 10 give us an unwritten Coustiluiion,
almost without limit. We protest, therefore,,
that the examples Of control on Inc part OF
Congress Of slavery IN The territories, have no
constitutional authority 10 sustain tfem, and al
ford no sanction whatever III favor o. o con-
" r -. -.-.. hn kaaA rnNa
occasions The South has tolerated a departure
from her well known position, and submitted
with patience merely for the sake OF peace,
and under the influence OF a devoted attachment
10 The Union.
Sd. Resolved. That any and all acquisitions
| Of foreign territory, whether made b, force OF
arms, or gained By treaty slipulatIons, are, and
of right ought 10 be, held a. the common Pro-
perty of all the States, and for the joint benefit
Of the whole-that each ard every citizen has
the undcubted right 10 emlgrale, WIN any
So, clcs of properly whatsoever, 10 such terri'
tory. and that the passage Of any law by Con-
sress, containing the - ilmot ProvIs"' or any
other kindred provision when shall restrict or
in any manner affect the enjoyment OF hal
right, is subscrsIve of every princiyle OF Justice
and Of all equality OF privilege, and - likewise
a palpable violation Of The Constitution, and.
in that event, il becomes The duty Of the South
TO employ every measure Of redress, and, if 49,
cessary, all means OF resistance
An. Resolved, Thai We regard any interier-
ence on The part Of Congress, with slavery or me
slay ,Iade in The Di>trict oil Columbia, as a
blew aimed indirectly al the institution Of save
~ in he States; j & ear outrage 10 he feelings
o! the Soulh, and a gross violation Of he Coz
%s,i,ntion, which it is onr duty BY all means, 10
prevent '.praceab y, il We can-folci6ly, u we
must"
5. Resolved, That ne heartily approve OF The
nronnt ami energetic action = The Legislature
81 Virginia, m placing her in her ruc position
before The country on the subject 81 slavery.
9Th Thai The hisnry 81 ne question Of Save
nv exhibits most clearly, te hnsAaken h1tlIy Of
he South 10 Inc Uuion, and lie many >~acrtces
n fieht and itclIr q, which she has made 10 pre-
serve il. Her course has been one 81 mofera-
ZION and iorbcarance. Her 20 lev ha> been that
OF non-inleflelence She has never become tue
rrupasanGist oil her peculiar opinioLsi nor mas
She ever sought he and Of federal legislation, 70
extend the limits II her ifs ituuOGs; ont has ever
deprecated the ln'f0GaciioL ~ 50 rxclihs -,
pic into the drb4l.s III Congress, and has desi!eh
extremely 10 remain IN peace and qGietntss, ana
10 regulate her internal concerns accolcine 10
her own sense OF well-beias ami 10 The dictates
~ her copscicncn. But hi. mas hot been per-
milled. she pa oecn me- bs a spult Of sleep,
less and rnceasing agitation. The most exien-
siye combinations at wealth Influence, lhitn'
and lanaticism have been formed Tor Inc purpose
OF creating a pubic opinion against her, an
controlling and uiIectIng u, 10 the accomplish
ment OF lie most dangerous schemes. a pow
er!rl press has been Established, supported ant
sustained; which has scattered bIoad-cas', u
y most inhammatory publications, and has even
hurled intO on, MIDST, The ffe-b:ands OF iBsuIec'
ton. Both Houses IT Congress have been btse
with the mos, tumuliunns, seditious and Iiheiion'
petitions. Their halls have been The inea'res o
. excitement and exhibition, injurious 10 cur saie
{ ". and ruinous 10 our p ace Legislation, inc
j most pernlcious and disastrous IN us conse
] oucnces, has been prayed and insisted IN. Ma
! nv of our slaves ma We been %abiucled, and tfe cs
zane of them has been aitet, facilitated OF
b conpived Al. a safe retreat has been secured lu
: all who could foe away; and 'nry nave oeci
J nro,ectcd against Ie.captuie, IN violation o! I'M
? plaincs, provisions OF The constitution. have beel
$ in many cases enlisted IN The crusade aea'ns
!, Southern rights, and encouraged IN the ul'el
: ance OF The crosses; ISLANDERS. And cow we ma.
I ask. with trismpn, Who are the disunionis's'-
! Who are The disoraauizers2 We have born
T with all these injuries, and others h@teides, an
l are sill willing TO afi1 10 them The seals oil lor
! eiyeness and oblivion. But we most caTnes'l
J appeal to the North 10 pause. IN what We mus
u its course Of folly. ere they sever ioi
ever those silken cords ot affection, which DINO
US together if this be done, we can recosniz7n'
otneI bond OF union. =,
On motion Of Mr.. S.. A. M. Leland, The lol
e lowing additional resolutions were also IMAM
monay adopted:
o Isl Resoiyet. That We having found the &C
If Congress of 1913, wholly imperative IN u
nroyisions, fof the recaptnfe OF fugitive Slaves
A. hpr.hy instruct our Representative, and re
r! ouest our Senator'S in Congress TO use her be'
rndea yors to procure such additional legis!ailo
n BY Congress, as may be proper, more eflecIuall!
TO secure the rights ot The South IN The prem
\ ses. j.
= End. Resolved, That tn several counties j
this State, be and they are hereby particular
solicited to cooperate with US in an early EXPIRE
sion OF their views.
81. Resolved, That The proceedings Of IN
meeting be signed by me President and see,el
!: mond Wing and Enquirer, with the request IN