Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-12-28
FRIDAY MORNING, DECEMBER %, 1919

mt 10 these crying wrongs! Where is The spirit Of their
fathers, thai they may mp and the coming
storm? We seek nothing but on-nicrvcniion. We ask
nofa, but that Congress shall DO nothjng We 90 not To
Congress. croucng and begging for legislation Let the
District ol Columbia anneo,ch moi The clritocs-anr
Hooi and strong laws, with faithful agents 10 execute
'Iicm fugitive slaves us and we arc content
We ask no law OF Congress lcaaIize slavery The Con-
sntion has done that work Leave lis creation dcstrc-
the people Of the territories and is all the South re-
quests.
Yet This position of interference seems but rouse
more strongly the foes Ia orr peace They bring their
luonary propositions into the halls Congress- and vo-
rcrolIsly call f,r their adoption They are organized and
banded together for The accomplishment of their cnls We
must organize and band together 10 defeat them What
means have We for this rruosc By what appeals arc We
I" save the Constitution and hc Union! The American pco-
pie arc in the man, cai rejecting and just people Their
past history csiiies strongly all This They have al all
times been found equal the greatest trials and bear them
selves in adversely prosperity becomes mighty nation
The, now III the mass the interrupted people cy
have ever been But you satisfy them by reasoning and
| not by threatening
The great Southern section Of this Union have right and the
constitution with them. Their united opinion has never yet
been JmHy spoken In fragments have habit We have
by our Legislatures. resolved, again and again Time and
time again have thus spoken crriug brothers Of
the North They have needed us bur little Sometimes Georgia
will resolve then South Caroinl-a another time Ms,issp
will speak out, and DID Virginia will often raise her war-
ing voice. The day has gone by for his mode of action We
want something united more general more solemn
We must now gather tagoihcrin the same council chamber
Cur wiswam must contain the old men, and the young men
OF the South They speak for and 10 the people tn,
North. They must come up fresh from the pcolcbt tried
and able men; with much sacrifice for the country liz
peace and lis unon and nothing yield in sacrifice the
constitutions Such the dangers the Union and such
The conservative spirit in which would recommend them
| 10 bc avoided.
How is such scheme Ia be accomplished? We say al
once by the proposed Convention Nashville to be held in
June next II that body il brought together, and shall
doubt i, WILL bring deliberations the calm and
fixed design 10 speak decidedly and frankly the people
Of the North the undivided opinions of the South it will
carry with il moral force thar doubt will dsIc the
discussions that distract our country that will do more
10 promote the endurance of the Union and the pure admin
istution Of the government of the country in conformity
with the constitution this vcxcd question, than body
| Of men who have ever assembled in onr country
The duty dcvoycs then our present General As
scby, Ia ador The nitiatory steps have Virginia rep
resented in that Convention We confidently believe The
iopc expect Of them the prompt and unanimous pcror-
nance of this LGiy Leaving the details those who stand
responsible for them has been suggested that many
would approve The adoption Of strong resolutions by the i
si>a,urc the s!lcctthc appointment Of five or more
distinguished gentlemen represent the State large in the
Convention the recommendation Of the appointment, by
the people Of three delegates from each congressional district
and provision 10 be made for The payment the expenses
the delegates Ia the Convention. If these, similar
this important sublcc. lie adopted Virginia
will have done her dny 10 the Constitution and The Union