Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-01-08
Ear the Enn,lirer.
CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF THE HI Sc, soU hIs !,

- For the Enquirer.
CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS J ,h,, the time has dr.
%, developmcnts have proven tni ~ .ho Somfh 10
rived when it becomes M ted zeal and determined en-
- boz ghs against the offensive $50 h become sem
We 100 as constituents must long On ma and while we
al ~ 10 crrat wrongs inflicted upon @ h;ahed nsti-
sole o. . ~ every inroad upon our long
m,ions ought conceal inc uep resent National As
with regard !" M i the authority derived to apply
he Wilmot Provso our South" viii too snon
which from the present gloomy IN m ASPECT truly I'M
~ nresented for our consideration III m - No ,..,er
DC paes and honelessly orbdding. For one he win,
humble as his opinion may be- is reags 70 ue.y ,e ~ s
utiona gura u h ~" cnmble to that significant insirr
ai @ dsoncd ITO form more perfect union, estHonsli
Justice &c Is there any IN 6aternitv Of States?
sots ,h;n, in the agitation of that subject whleh
t,nds 10 cement the bonds OF union! h, h Nnr,h
rcc tendency of such course Is " ;a;oaa ,h;ch time
I've Soutb 10 create sectional prelnaices wnlc .l
Will scarcely if ellace; TO array one % - Tins throw
an nnienay a. dcor among US disturbing the quiet and
7npy ~ The country and copardizins te eAisiet: -
the conedeacy carry out the designs " re to
ron. and thus has the strongest and nouess cch W.
The formation Of that solemn compact O''A
blinded Zealots. " =, ,.;, ,f the measured Jus
"e Nar,h does mol demand the introduction OF such
oveo The same channels through "hch wealth. nus
lowed In an uninterrupted stream 10 her M 'pa.aa
manufacturers will remain unobsirncteo ia I'M go
~ on,novment will exist for her laborers anu
while her prosperity in general will remain uh'nlurea anu
undated. It., ,-,h do. moi reoure This in
,frncc .stccn TO the South does demand that there
should he no such interference on the part oi Congress M
Sou,h ever ready do die in the defence OF lou
bore fatal testimony 10 its own IN common WIN M hd
RVS rights throug hout the struggle win AeAeoi io b
Of her nobles crimsoned every contested p In; M
homes of her bravest heroes moulder on every i as @
mems Of daring and military prowess The territory mus
eventually purchased by the common treasnr! 1 soa anu
life Has She Offered up this bloody ana lnVauapc %
Df a
we are forbidden participate! Ina, we "ouu u'
great measure excluded from This landed @ ~ hc
ND nansay If this nciari0us prOviso become ia" VI m
land Though we should be admitted TO me rights VI .
zensip in the States one species OF our ioiyi H.
yhich The wealth of nc South principally CONSISTS woua pe
nerdcicd Why this species OF properly T,u 70 he nro
lher Slave labor is admitted by The 10 DC Po
periyA 4 I'd clause Sd Sec any power w ,h be same
r;c,v exclude any and every kind OF property le w
bazprd nothing in the expressions that there Is no man ~.
has any pcfersions sanity who would ciail Tor
I nnsin,ioua right To exclude the manufactures OF III.
Wnr,h or Northern capital Where, them Is the Justice,
which ought always to be an ingredient OF % s h
n,w,r 10 Danish the Southern with his capal loi NE
Slaves constitute capita} Yet soon rs TINS mao chc
enforced an insupeabe barrier erected between nun am
the numerous advantages ne nopeI ~ @ M nj naT,ies
for il is subject which rises paramount 10 party cosue
tiong-to know if such partial legislation Is caicialcu - ~
nance The stability of the Republic, TO cslaDlis usle "
a ont The great objects for which the constitutional com
pact was formed We appeal 10 those Norneh W i
who have Jaw and the Constitution al N oSn9
Bu there are those who unwilling 10 usurP loi Son
rress this unwarraned power, without some sianom VI M
fbority Congress (say hey) shall have power 10
and make all ncedul rules and regulations respecting n 10
riroy OF other property belonging 10 The United states
his clause is applicable 10 the prohibition OF saver "
the territory il is equally 10 the plooitol vi
from our forts arsena and other public works included m
der the term ioher properly Such construction o ts
term would al the time of the adoption of the Constitution
have rendered the clause as nugaoy and invalid as II oe
in toto. II should be borne in mind mar the sa &
qnircd tho consent OF The State Legislature ~ "c " ~
| h.fDr
erected Our Eastern coast was pnt ply oc'clulu "
forts any kina .rom foreign agrees More lan nun
Of the exposed within the 'ts oi saIehoiSis
States ii the trainers the Constitution Intended 70 claim
for Congress power egisae over slavery wilnn inc
public works al that time necessary 10 pc ;
aucd no saresans sagaciy TO forescc thai no seh oT
catons ever would be erected with the consent oil our e
gislatures Nor probable thai The Sohnern mem,
bers would have yielded namely 10 the usrpaio OF hai
mower over this speculiar institution" which tcy had
garded with than human vigilance on all other occa-
sons Thus construed at that tlmc the clause would nave
been void and of no electa perfect dead letter Nc SCUM
so rightly Jealous of the basis which its institutions were
10 lie founded would have unfairly surrendered nose
rights by placing in her forts and arscnas he ooinp VI e
destruction only requiring TO be ignted by inc mana Oh
incendarism 49,,
suppose for the sake of argument that the words OF The
text would formerly have admitted of twoold nterprei-
tinntle former claiming Congress the power 10 e-
gslatc over slavery within own national forhcallonS
thus rendering sanction of legislature to the occloh
of such works matter of mpossbily: For no eglsa-
turc would have dared with this fact staring them inc lace
To deed lis right 10 esate on TINS most vital OF al
|
that the direct tendency of this construction would DC 10
render our coasts destitute of Qualifications as the sera
bic plains Arabia The latter interpretations leaving our
domestic nstituons unammeled and under the exclusive
control Of individually would have mad the cfect
of fulfilling the intention of the clause by the willing coop
Grafton of State legislatures. Looking upon he authos
of that compact renowned for its equality ana WISDOM as
sensible men, forced nocns roen to ADOPT the Latter
construction. ,,,
We have briefly endcavorcd show that il would result
in naked rcctio absurd place this anai!ca mean
ing upon certain words which meaning proves wholly nlcn-
able and nonsensca when taken in connection with tho
spirit of the entire clause If then this miserable sueteruse
for argument fails when traced 10 the ieguatc consequent
ces which must as inevitably follow its application to our
forts arscnas and other public works. effect follows cause
then must prove equally unsound when applied 10 tie Ter
ory The authority Interfere with slavery IN eer case
is derived from the and traccable TO The same
narrow and partial Interpretation.
Yet in spite of justice i'll spite OF this constitutional guar
anv protect rights our property ana our salefy we
,yc much 10 fear Already the clouds thickcn, and the
storm is heard 10 indlsnctly in the distance we
honor the Union formed by the blood o DIR ances
tors and ccmcnted by the eternal fidelity they sw"rc 10 give
il i'm that dark and trying hour But when IL becomes an en-
cine of wrong and OPPRESSION II loses the magic charm WIN
which was bind and under the garb OF TREND
shin we almost the gtteng steel OF the assassin we
denrccac dissolution of the Union but the right OF proper
y and safety rise all earthly considerations and as soon
as these are rodden under foot II becomes as nation Of
eemcn to sever from 10 ocean, We have done all
avoid the mighty wreck. Much may yet 90 ac-
compshed BIZ wise and patriotic legislation but should
warnings prove vain (Which God orbd9 the South can
exclai,n with honest heart and unrufled conscience
"Thou can at not say did IT,. " u NJ
Powhatan County, Dec. II, l549
For The Enquirer.
TO THE PEOPLE OF GREENSVILLE.
Felow-czens Sincerely thankful for yonr confidence
and alcrcd by your support il is with regret announce
the necessity which compcs decline being candidate
Cor 10 n next House Delegates OF