Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-10-19
With the highest consideration and respect,
no ,rn unur frirnds and tellnW ciliz,na
ALBEMARLE, Oci. 6, lS49

To lack Lewis Esq and o.hsrs ofthe Committee:
Gentlemen and Dear Friends Il received
few days since the letter you have done me- the
honor to write, Sin behalf of a numerous portion
Of your fellow.citzens requesting me TO name
day when it will be invenient 10 partakc oil
Public Dinner al Sc .ltsylile, rendered as an ex
pression Of their ,ense Of my services on the
late h me QUESTION"
Many of my countymen and old triends
called me 10 the discussion, with men OF elo-
quencc, Of talent, of stallion, and acknowledged
ability, whose failure 10 demonstrate the value
Of the Stree school bill' so called, is The strong
est Evidence Of is not being suitable to GU
community. Igrca,ly doubt whether any gen.
eral system of primary education can be de-
vised in Virginia, better than that which leaves
10 The affection and the authority of parents.
the freedom OF educating their own children =
You do not, in my opinion, oyerestmate the
distrust and discord lha. must have attended
the adoption Of The particular bill proposed for
our acceptance. We have always opposed, in
VIgiaa, any schemes which impose unequal
burdens and contributions on one man for the
benefit of another. However small such con-
trbution may be, il violates the right Of pro-
periy; sacred regard 10 which, is one Of the
surest elements Of freedom. On this right OF
property, we arc at this time peculiarly seusi.
tive because its assertion in our slaves is threat
ened and impaired 10 various ways, by many of
thv CO States Of our Federal Union, and part-
cularly BY The reftrmed Pur,,aas Of NeD Eng.
iasd however Tie Patriarchs and Prophets Of
The Old Testament may have practsed, aud the
divine revelation Of the New may have tolera.
ted that right, 10 an immeasuraby greater cx-
tent than that imposed BY the policy or aysrice
of Old Ensiand and .>ew England, on the
people of Virginia.
These considerations become more important,
when We reflect what Virginia has done for
this our Union OF States; Iha she gellnquished
an Expire Norhwesl Of the Ohio. IL wh.rh her
lille WAS as good, as that watch she re aimed;
that She has been "lruc IN couacil and rusty in
peril" thai though often tried, she has nor
ben found wanting. TO Liberty, 10 Union, and
The Cous iulIon; aid that now. when new and
immense Empire on the Pacific Coast has been
secured by arms, aud by treaty, 10 he States OF
The Union. she and her slave. holding c'zcas are
TO be excluded an enjoyment OF their eGud! right
10 emisra'e 10 u wan their properly, her by
a cespoiic exercise OF power by the F, ds!al Gov
ernment, d BY more cunnin. device, u a
convention ot aiyen:ureIs, called ~ military au>
lhJrily, VINO d. not hold one iooi OF the erfi;ory
under The lava oil The United States, and who
have no permanent interest in The counlry Tex
cert that which they may have purchased from
the few conquered inhabitants, who held grants,
under he late Spanish aud Mexican authorities, J
BAT who are yeI SUPPOSED in some quarters, Ca
pable u icTGi0g constitution Tor hal mmeu e
territory, which shall forever eIcu !e Virglnians
as slave-bo d:rs, from any just participation in
the acquisition
lrus, gentlemen, you will pardon this digres.
sion, from The discord we have escaped in our
county, and homes. 10 Thai mishlier agitation
which is shaking the Pillars oil our Temple Of
Freedom. Union is The an.idote 10 Eiscord. Let
us nov, The friends AID the Toes OF the schools, be
unii.d, (all Virginia will join us,l 10 exercise
This demon, ct National Dimo,d. Wh.n that
is done, we can all rejoice together. Until it is
done, allhc' we may assemble around The fes-
tive board, every heart will be lonely, in con-
Iem?iating The threatened disgrace ant dlshonoc
ol or county. When This troubled night OF a
msdnaed dishonor shall have past, ". can re =
ioice with exceeding great joy" Until it does,
we must sch7ol ourselves to high resolves 10
maintain cur 70 al rights and The ancient glory
OF our Com mon wealth; 10 thous hts OF the worth
lessness OF life i.sef, when b-fet OF Lib,riy and
Honor.
beg that these considerations may be my