Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-01-02

i
will blush 10 see tina, il has already revived The
btterest dssensions and that il bids fair, Tor the
nrst time in our history 10 unite all parties IN the
South against their political brethren in The Notln
IL true these are aspects over Whlch Inc fePa0.
| lie Iejoices. IL sees in these things thousand
favorable aspects. Its editor has so long been
| in the habit of believing the South mere
community of vaporers, that he has ceased to
regard their protests. He has so repeatedly con,
vinced himself that the Union cannot be dis
solved, that he would not probably believe his
own senses if ne saw the dissolution going on
before his eyes. Wherefore, he interprets every
anti slavery vote as the sign OF the approach
ing millennium, when slavery is to be abolished
without difficulty, and when Shareholders are te
yield every thing to those who delight in attack
| ing and insulting them. NERO hddled While
Rome was burning, and the REPUBLIC sees the
happiness Of our country in discussions between
its citizens. and in attacks upon its Constitution.
We do not intimate that our Contemporary Is not
sincere--those who reason as he does are gene
rally sincere. Sincerity is one OF the hrsl ele-
men's OF anaticism.
We choose 10 look al the recent proceedings IN
Congress with regret, mol with rejoicing. Our
experience teaches US that these proceedings are
unnecessary impraclicatle, and unconstitutional
that they are intended more 10 intimidale
the South, Than 10 abate an evil which all depore
and that II persisted in, hey must lead 10 con-
sequences The most serious.
We fervently pray that this spirit may spread
at the North, and that returning sense oil jus
tce may soon be exhibited in me defeat OF Cots
"nonsrous" proposition and other kindred mea-
sures. To effect this object, however, the South
must assume firm, calm and snitsd attitude
Virginia, in her immortal resolutions OF 80
and SO, arrested the fagrant violations OF the
Constiution-she is again called on 10 exert her
moral influence TO effect the same result. The
principles she then laid down have had eminent
efficacy in preserving the Constitution from Vio-
lalion, in keeping its delicate checks and bslan-
ces properly poised, and in guarding our noble
Republic from consolidation on the one hand aud
anarchy and disnnion on The other. The time
has arrived for another rsalulary application OF
those conservative principles-the South vibraies
with excitement, from the continued assaults OF
the Northern majority, which, if continued and
carried out, must lead 10 the disruption Of the
most beautiful coniederacy o! sovereign and in
dependent States, that the sun ever shone upon
Now is the time for Virginia TO apply the
knife and the medicine to the spreading ulcer on
the body polite. She must re assert the true
doctrines, BY which alone the Union can pro-
gress with safety and prosperity She must
take her staDd calmly but irmly-and, in the
name Of the South, solemnly warn the North
ern majority that "hus far shall they 90 and no
farther" Will she not do sol Will not her
Legislature and her people act cordially and
unitedly on the great question at stake! We feel
convinced that they will, in spite Of the few
cavaliers 10 our midst. From various portions
of the State We have but one response TO the
suggestion of calm dignided, but resolute
action BY our Legislature and Stae. In King
William both parties have come together, and
united n approving Of the resolutions of Cover
nor Floyd. In Madison the same sentiments
prevail, we hear. we cannot doubt that SINH
lar feeling pervades the whole State, and that
action is demanded at the hands of the Legisla-
,ure We have recently presented our views SO
fully and explicitly, that it is needless tie expand
them now. Our sole object is 10 refer to the
Importance of prompt, decided and united &C
ton in the Legislature. We presume that Co.
vernon Floyd's resolutions will soon be called
up, and an early day selected for their consider
alton and decision
P.S. Since penning the above, we have read
with pain the couner-resoluions offered yeser-
day by Mr. Scott Of Fauquier, In the House OF
Delegates They will be found in the House
proceedings, and we ask particular attention 10
them. We have not time nor space 10 review
them today but shall do SO, al the earliest pc.
riod. We CANNOT, however, suffer them 10 go
forth, whou, solemnly protesting against their
being regarded as expressive OF the views OF any
considerable portion OF the people of Virginia.
Many Of them are false in theory, utterly
erroneous in assumption Of facts, in logic,
10 principles Of International aw-but, above
ALL they surrender the whole question Of SoulA.
ern lights. They exhibit an open 5aekine.
oxt from the high position assumed by vir-
gnia in March, l847, when our Legislature una
nimoasly denounced the Wimol Proviso as ode.
slructive OF the compromises OF the Constitution
and resolved lha, it, upon 'the adoption OF the al
tempted enforcement OF the proviso aforesaid"
''lhe people Of Virginia can have no difficulty in
choosing between the only alternatives that will
then remain, OF abject Submission to aggression
and outrage on the one hand, or determined resist
ance on the other, al aHhazards and 10 tie last ex.
tremity" Can language he clearer or sironger7 Mr.
Scott was then member Of The House-we do
no, know whether he voted for them; certainly
he dill mol raise his voice agains, them, Bul
now, iOrsoolh, 10 less than TWO years he gravely
proposes lha, Virginia shall sneak out and ac-
knowledge "abjscl submission TO aggression and
outrage" the Wimol Provso nou being "a
mare abslracuon!' lie, Virginia pursue such a
suicidal course, and she will become the laugh.
ing stock Of the Union. If she now backs on,
from her brave words in lS47 about the Wilmot
Proviso, will mol her enemies take il for granted
that she will slso back out from her brave words
in Mr.. Scouts tenth resolution in 1649 in regard
to slavery in The District Of Columbia2 She
cannot, she will mol do H.
Mr.. Scott is man Of talents and Influence,
and leader in his party-but we are vastly mis-
taken, if he can succeed in inducing any number
10 slulify Virginia by supporting these resolu.
tons. We cannot doubt that many Wings will,
Tor the sake Of consistency, OF the honor of the
State, the safety of the Union, step forward man.
fully in support of the spirit of the Virginia reso-
buttons Of l647. Can Mr.. Slanard who moved
one Of The resolutions in l647, do otherwise a.
Pass Mr.. Scouts resolutions and our enemies are
strengthened beyond measure, and Southern rights
sacrificed for ever. But more anon.
We take pleasure in commencing the tone Of
our neehboe The Republican, on The question oil
Southern Rights. l, is in marked contrast with
that Of the other leading Wing prints in the
Stale. Though differing from the Republican
toto tolo politically, We canno, but appreciate its
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