Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-12-25
DANGERS TO THE UNloN-THE TRUE CoNSER
yATIyE SPIRIT.

M, rea, ores,ion seems now to agtae the country
The solution of that question may involve inc continuance
of the union of these States II Is no less han whether
onsraneee of the Constitution for the safety OF the Sout
in the possession and undstIrbed enjoyment oil us s'
rtv shall be observed be hagrantly violated
Without these guarantees both political and social no o''
eyes the union of the old thirteen States could ever nave
heen accommodated True they had waged long, bloody anc
successu war for their national existence with the most
nowerf nation in the world the Suites had triunpheo
their rights 10 segovernment acknowledged ana 'e!
stood as recognized nation by all civilized governments
vet the important problem remained 10 be settled no" We"
these States be united in government mat was as
cer,aned after the most deliberate and painful labor BY the
convention delegates from the various States whose
received the seal of appreciation from conventions oil the
MIA hold in their respective States One of the great points
Of difficulty in accomplishing this end was the existence
sAvo,y i,en, these States. For it political mower an
fn,ure was demanded spirit OF compromise anu
of the most lofty patriotism both were conceded Inc 0
.tu,ion not only recognized slavery ana oes'o"eu vi W
States within which existed share OF political power ou
vet further enoned duty Congress 10
which the slave which might fly from his master 10
State should be reclaimed Without these saluary poVs
ions of the Constitution one can believe II would even
have been adopted
For many years these distinct and leading provisions were
in good faith kept and observed and Congress early exercs
ing means for the restoration Of fugitive slaves TO their o~
ners In the course of time the nslavehodng States
have ACQUIRED large numerical majority in tie House OF
Representatives while the slavehoding States have abon
divided with them the Senate. The power OF NUMBERS mas
produced indifference 10 an Observance ofthe coano
of the Constitution Movements have been made both oy
small portion of people OF the States ahc
by some of their Legislatures, 10 strip their sister
States of the small political power granted them because
~; Lnrla MIC haG tgf.l
attempted by proposed amendments 10 the Constitution In
advance of the attainment of this however, many OF the non
savehodne have by the passage by their state
legislatures substantially defeated the operation CT The laws
of Congress- providing necessary Tor obtaining the
restitution OF abscondng slaves thus by direct ACTOR null
fyipp one of the great principles of the Constitution ac
abroeatng constitutional legislation OF Congress MOI
content with these disorganzng acts attempts nave oee
made and their accomplishment now seriously threatened
70 deprive the people the South OF the right to take 'he
slave property into the newly acquired territory
OF the Unionour domestic peace has also been inFa'td
ard the safety even at home property put Imminent
danger Slavery declared be noerable evil anu IT'S
s,ence threatened 10 banshcd from the Capital of the
Union How are these violations Of the letter and spirit OF
the Constitution be met? How is this blessed and be-
loved Union be preserved and maintained now ana Tor
eyerl 1t formed by concession; can Only oe mann
tanned by good faith and strict observance Of all Inc qua
rantees upon which il based Strike these away ana
then we no longer love and admire it, Let them remain as
ou. fathers made them and the last drop OF hearts blood
shall be poured out in its defence.
We again TIE enquiry, how are these encroac-
mens 10 be We have calmly considered this question
and we have deliberately concluded must be by i-
ted and firm COOL but fred determination o. the South TO
meet the encroachments aud for all time 10 come
Separate action By the State Legislatures must have gca'
influence in rejecting opinions Of their constituencies
l-.-. 'ran, one conmop and undivided r"'"a - =,
favor of constitutional nights anc inc maintenance VI
our Union as its trainers made it, Let the people oil the
South come together in council Let theiS speak then as
one man for Union by keeping sacred the Constitution
We shall continue this subject on Thursday