Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-04-16
scarcely recommend it too highly
To the Editors of the Enquirer.


The writer this eels that patriot lover of his
ry or friend the constitution view the present atti
ude of parties North and South in the country without the
most painful anxiety and for the stability of the Union
In the present hostile between the North and the South
one party the other is wrong Let all parties and all sec
tons deliberately and with sincere desire OF restoring har
mony examine the question: and say where the exists,
sci about repair it, and produce reconciliation and fraeT
nal feeling tho different actions of country boss
ed of Heaven and blessed BY the wisdom and patriotism
There standard and rule by which the question
can be solved in the estimation Of the writer the Con-
stituon That of ITSELF and that alone, will furnish all the
light necessary for sincere enquirer after tho truth in the
case The South In mass, with the exception of only few
unworthy gambling politicians wish tho strife end and
uict restored the land. Union want the Union pre-
served object Now. lei understand another
VIVA, constitutes tho union of these States In wha, does
the union consist
I'VE the People of the United States in order 10 form
more perfect Union establish Justice insure domestic Tran
guilty provide for the Defence promote the general
Welfare and secure the blessings OF Liberty TO ourselves and
our poserity do odan and establish this Constitution for
| the United States OF America"
Then the Constitution explains itself that it was entered
the purpose of establishing perfect union than
existed under tho articles of confederation The Consti
ton them the union of tho States without there be
no union No shift, practice device whatever be
sorted for tho purpose of keeping tho union ubstu
ting the Constitutions that violated the union ia violated
thai broken the union is broken that tamped on md the
compact between the States in entering into il is ampIed
into the DUST and tho rights and sovereignty Of the people
| and States set al naugh and destroyed.
These remarks lead 10 enquiry into the veAed question
\
and as 10 which party Is right The North claims the
right egisae and control that subject in tho terrific
rics the District Of Columbia &C., &C. the South denies
the right of legislation by Congress in the matter Now
the writer would be satisfied himself and thinks all but
the exavagan assumers Of power for The Federal
Government would be satisfied which party is right
when look the Federal Government but the
of which the States by their people, the creators and
find that the States and their people have shon II OF all
power not granted In the bond Of Cnon the Constitution
and have withheld from all power Of legislation except
subjects therein named the right egsare upon which
is granted Let tho of the North and the OF the
South examine and say whether any restraining power is
given the Federal Government the subject in the
Constitutional not not the South right and ifso why
will the North pcrsis1 Can tho Federal Government DO
anything but agent and special agent do the things
and those alone contained in tho bond of Cnion tho Cons
uon? If this is so, then the argument in favor of the
South is concuslve il il is then the South has been
aborng under dcusion in supposng she living under
limited and constitutional government. II the deusion
exists, what should she do?
But let look farther into the bond Of union and how
the question stands Article ls I'd section Sd clause reads
follows:
Representatives and direct shall be apportioned
among the several States which may be included within this
Union according their respective numbers which shall be
determined by adding the whole number of free persons
including those bound service for term of years e1
Guiding Indians not taxed three hs of all other persons
On reading this clause what is the first proposition pre-
sened every mind Is il not that slaves treated as
persons ms well as PROPERTY Where is this 10 DO done d
the Federal Government concerned this clause
answers, among the several States but all if the
State peases. What words in the English language could
control the subject of slavery than the above p
Now, if Congress should undertake limit and con-
troll the bass Of representation and taxation what does
il amount 10? Would il be that the two great
and fundamental principles of government representation
and ,axaon they had subvered papaby and corrupv the
bond of union Was this done the Missouri compromise
as is most ridcuousy caedor by usurpalion the
door opened for succession of s if not the corner
Of dsunion laid BY this Of agitious usurpaon
il made inevitable that the South time TO be ruin
ed but she is insoently told that the usurpng party
and fanatics may exclusively where they please and carry
their all but YOU of the South shall remain where Won are
you 60 you join and eave constitutional
property behind What woad be the consequence OF sb,
ting his! By this violation of the constitution this cor
rupt disruption 81 The Union in short Tine the des,royers
of the constitution will have Senators l. one on RI.
part of the South, and overwhelming majority r The
lower house, and will the result be protect and aernze
with or farther Cypress herr
Owing this destruction of the awnaking and taxing
power under the constitution has the South any power in
the government? Has she right complainant who /.
in the wrons2 Let the constitution answer for By that she
is willing and ha. been abide. She never has asked
violation of Has il been done2 Yes yes it has been
and admtted in the Sedion Laws in The violation. of the
article OF the constitution requiring the surrender of fup
tive slaves II is admitted by ALL except the wretch whom
il would be degradation TO name from the State of New
York. himself Senator saying there s power above the
Constitution Ii the South is ignorant of IT. is not
50 expressed in the bond of the uno and that is declared