Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-03-02
PUBLIC MEETING IN NORTHUMBERLAND.

and Democrals,) held pursuant TO notice, on
Monday, tie lath February, lSi9
On motion OF MIR. John r.. Slilh, Mr.. VIM.
b. lIudnall was appointed President, Messrs 5.
b Burgess and ). a. VI. Leland Vice Presidents;
and Messrs. r. S. Cox and AndrewJ. Brent Sc
crctarles.
The object of the meeting was explained hy
, Mr.. john Il. Sti,h, who, at me conclusion of h..
remarks, moved that the President appoint a
committee of nine to prepare a Preamble and
Resolutions suitable 70 the OCCASION; which
motion being carried, the Chair appointed the
following: McssTs. X A. Claybrook, Edwin
Nelms, Ferdinand blackwell, Jptn T.. Siith,
Thomas GaskIps, William X. Purkips, James
f%iasnie Thomas ). Lycll and Edwin Brown
The committee retired, and, alter consultation,
reported through their Chairman, X A. CLAW
brook, tie following Preamble and Resolutions,
which were ably ard clnGuently sustained BY
Alessrs. Clay brook and Blackwell, and were
unanimously adopted, 10 Wit:
We have witnessed, with the most painful
concern, the renewal Of agitation on the sub
jcct of slavery in the Congress Of the United
States, and the recent attempt 10 interfere with
that institution, as it exists III The District of
Columbia; for we cannot but regard the whole
movement as one not only al war with that
spirit OF harmony, Cancellation and compromise.
which influenced The councils of The nation at
the adoption Of the Federal Constitution, and
which is absolutely essential 10 the complete
and permanent enjoyment of the blessings Of
Union, but as conceived IN n spirit Of deter
mined hostility and wanton aggression.
And decmipg il important that he position of
the South, with respect to this delicate ard ex-
citing subject, should be well understood a, this
i%uncture, and should be clearly defined by the
people in their primary assemblies. the more
especially since their silence thus far has been
construed into callous indifference: Therefore,
Isl, Resolved. That The Constitution of the
United States, according TO the manifest design
Of its trainers. distinctly recognizes a right of
property in negro slaves, and guarantees the
enjoyment of that right wherever il exist. To
this extent the interference OF Congress with
this subject is legitimate and proper, and no
farther. There is no power given 10 create or
abol sh that right-to impose any extensions,
limitations or restrictions on lis enjoyment,
either as 10 time, place or manner, or 10 affect
II By legislation IN any other way; butthe whole
subject was wisely left by our tore-ialhers 10 such
municipal regulations a any sectional DIVISION
of the people might think proper 10 establish,
whenever they should have The political capa-
city so 10 10.
81. Resolved, That legislative precedent,
established as II nearly always 5 amidst the
heated contests OF party or The herce struggles
Of faction, is entitled 10 no influence III the
construction of the Federal Constitution; for
otherwise We must admit the supremacy OF the
law-makiug power, refer To The acts OF Ton
sre>s as our guide, and tie ultimate effect
would be 10 give us an unwritien Constitution,
almost without limit. We protest, therefore,.
that the examples of control on The part OF
Congress Of slavery IN the territories, have no
constitutional authority TO sustain tfem, and at
ford no sanction whatever IN favor Of a con-
tinued exercise of that power. On those rare
occasions The South has tolerated a departure
from her well known position, ana submitted
with patience merely for the sake OF peace,
and under the Influence Of a devoted attachment
la The Union.
Sd. Resolved, That any and all acquisitions
uf foreign territory, whether made bl force OF
arms, or gained by treaty stipulatlons, are, and
Of right ought TO be, held a. the common Pro-
perry of all the States, and Tor the joint benefit
Of the whoIe-that each ard every citizen has
the undcubted RICH, 10 emigrate, with any
SO. cles of properly whatsoever. 10 such terri.
tory. and that the passage of any law by Con-
ETeSS, CUIltdltIiG AHG - INV Ib'i1o " -
other kindred provision when shall restrict or
in any manner aztec, the enjoyment Of that
right, is subgcrsiye Of every prlnci. lie o%l.Jus,ice
and Of all equality OF privilege, and IS likewise
a palpable violation of the Constitution, and,
in that event, il becomes the duty Of the South
10 employ every measure Of redress, and if ne
cessary, all means OF resistance
4th Resolved, Thai We regard any interleT-
ence on The part Of Congress, wiln slavery or he
slave trade in The Distric, Of Columbia, as q
blew aimed indirectly al the INSTITUTION OF save
~ in The States; 4 g'eat outrage 10 The feelings
o! the South. and a gross violation Of he Con
%slirulion, which il is our du'y by all means, 10
prevent 'praceab !, il We can-iolcibly, II we
must"
S. Resolved, That We heartily approve Of The
prompt ami energetic aciioD u the Legislature
Of Virginia, IN placing her ~ her nue. Posisioh
before the country on the suhlc.i 81 slavery.
9Th Thai the hisnry IL ne question oil slave
~ exhibits most clearly, Ihe unshaken hitlny q
he Suulh 10 the Union, and re many >acnhces
81 lisbt and feelings, which she has made 10 pre-
serve IL. Her course has been one u mOdera-
non and iDrbcaraDce. Her 20 lev has been that
oi nou-inlerteience She has never become Inc
pfopaeandist oil her peculiar opinions; nor has
She ever sought he aid OF federal legislation, 70
extend the limits u her Institutions; nnt has ever
deprecated me Introduction II 50 exciting a to-
njc into the debates ot Congress, and has desired
extremely To remain N peace and qGieiness, ana
10 regulate her internal concerns according 10
her own sense OF weli-btiaa ami to the dictates
u, her conscience. Bot hi. mas not been per
mitled. Snc b. 6ccn mei by a >piGit 81 sleep
less aud Inceasin. agitation. The most eSten
slye combinations Il wealth, Influence, iai.n
and tanatlcism have been formed Tor Inc purpose
OF creating a pubic opinion against her, are
controlling and diiectins u, 10 The accomplish
menr OF he most dangerous schemes. "A pow
er!gi press has been established, supported! ant
suslamed; which has scattered bToad-cas', "
most indammaioTy publications, and has ever
hurled inio our miGs,, The tie-bfands 81 insnIec
linn. Both Houses at Congress have been otse
with the most tumuliuous, srduious ana iihellon'
prliliuns. Their halls have been The theatres o
excitement and exhibition, injurious TO cur SAFE
~, and ruinous 10 our p ace Legislation, u'
most pernicious and disastrous IN Us conse
ouences. has been prayed and insisted On. Ma
! nv OF our slaves nave been abinc'e!, and re es
zane Of them has been ai!ed, facilitated o
conpiyed Al. a safe Tctrea, has hren secured 10
all who could fee away; and lnry have bcci
nro,ecttd against re.cavtute, IN violation OF IN
nlainest PROVISIONS OF The CONSTITUTION, have Dee
n many cases enlisted in The crusade aeaiDs
Soulhern rights, and encouraged IN the utter
aDce OF the gfossesi ISLANDERS. And now we ma
ask, with triumph, VINO are Inc disunionis's!-
Who are The disorgauizers7 We have born
with all these injuries, and others besides, an
are still wiling 10 afix 10 them The seals OF ioI
eiyeness and oblivion. But we most cafnes'l
appeal 10 the North 10 pause. in what We mus
sonominare its course OF iclly, ere they sever iot
ever those silken cords If affection, when DINO
J US together; if this be done, we can recosn'zeih
: olheI bond OF union. .,
: On motion Of Mr.. S. A. NJ. Leland, the 10
lowing additional resolutions were also n"dn
I mously adopted:
- Resolved. That we having found The al
If Congress Of 1893, wholly imperative IN i
proyisions, tol The recap.ure ot fugitive slave
do hereby inslruc! our Representative, and re
quest our Senator'S in Congress 10 use heir be'
: ppndea yors 10 procure such additional lesis!alio
. by Congress, as may be proper, more efec'ual.
10 secure the rights d, the South IN The prem
|, ses.
> 2nd. Resolved, That lhe several counties
J, This State, be and they are hereby particular
,ol;c;tsd II, cn-oDrIaie with US in an eaIiy EXPIRE