Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-01-26
MN RICHMOND ENQUIRER.

and the action Of the people OF The pistr'o. y
CoInmb;a-a people of another commuhn,;
1ybo meet and deliberate upon matters oil con.
mon interest, and express themselves upon ,he"
own institutions in the language which we nav
hoard readi The people Of Florida or Louisi-
ana NAV meet in general assemblies ana DISCUSS
o,nong themselves the merits of this institution
az they think proper; ard they may speak q II
in LANGUAGE Of appreciation or condemnation,
w;tbo1t insult 10 any one. But when o'a'e
yberc this institution no longer exists -alluoush
i aid exist observation-disclosures II as an ihslitu-
tion presenting a spectacle revolving 10 .ne
sn;r;t o. the age, and that, too. when II exists
IN fifteen of the States Of the conlederacy, and
cherished yes, cherished, Sir; by many OF them
Il saw Sir. such language is language OF con-
,umely and indignity. ;,
Mr. mr.. If the Senator from Virginia will
allow me, would state that there IS no refer.
ance in these resolutions to The institution oil
domestic slavery as it exists in the States. AS
ono State Of the Union, however, the Legisla'
ture Of the State of New York say that II
would be revolving TO the spirit ot Inc age 10
extend il into new territory WheTe u Goes not
now exist and where the Inhabitants themselves
have already petitoned and protested against II.
Mr. MASON DO not mean 10 question ci.her
the taste or The courtesy Of The slate u New
York, but submit it 10 The American people
whether such language as has been piesenea ~
the Senate in these resolutions with reference 10
an institution now existing in and protected by
The laws, and participated in by Inc people OF
sister States Of this coniederacy, stating that The
extension OF this institution would be revolving 10
The spirit OF The age, does not import that The in
sliluti0n itself is revolving!
-. o.,
| mean, sir. 10 make no alluslon 10 Inc STATE
of New York about its right 10 say what il
pleases, but | desire that those sayings shall
90 forth 10 the Southern States, and that they
shall understand the position il takes and the Ian
eusge il enuncia,es upon the question at issue
Every step taken BY the North in this matter IS
Interesting TO US. Every sentiment put forth by
The properly constituted authorities representing
the people OF The States upon this question, is of
inteies, to US. II these sentiments are The sent.
menis al the people OF New York, or the people
OF Maine, or OF all The other Northern States,
and are So expressed by formal resolutions OF
their several Legislatures il is due TO the safe
" Of the Southern States that they know il and
know il 100 in the very language in which they
are spoken. think, sir il is ospluIely neces-
safy 10 the preservation OF our rights that We
should have this knowledge
So far as my judgment goes. or my knowledge
of the opinions of the people represent here
extends, if the measure here alluded to of in
,erdicting slavery in The territories, which are
the common property Of the several States Of
the Union-is persisted in, there will be no other
alternative but submission or resistance. And,
sir, refer to the history of that portion ofthe
country which represent, TO know whether the
people there will pass willingly under the yoke.
Sir lei the resolutions be printed Let them go
abroad; let them be widely distributed among
the people If the slavehodng States Of the
Union, in The language 10 which they are Ut
tered under the high sanction Of the constlu.
led authorities of the State from which they
emanate.
am sorry 10 have trespassed upon the time
of the Senate, but confess cannot but feel
deep regret, modification and distress, that here,
where we all convene equals sister State
should address itself 10 her confederates in Ian
guage like that presented in the resolutions Of
the State of New York. have no RICH, 10
question their power thus 10 speak. do not
oppose il in the slightest degree: say let them
90 forth, lie them be published a. they have come
10 Us, and let the people Of the Union under
stand their purport and design
E,oy f5c Er1uiyer