Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-05-14
FlrvASxA County,, ArRtL -, l35


likeness OF friend your letter, requesting statement oil
views respecting the proposed Convention at Nashville
For the great respect has been Your pleasure 10 show
by such letter, bearing II docs, the names oi tAose
who are my superiors in experience and knowledge be
pleased accept my sincere Acknowledgements while eN-
pr my uneigned that am - little qualified 10 Offer
you thoughts this important subject winch coud
nope would be OF benefit.
have had for years il is true some acquaintance with
the unhappy controversy between the North and the Sou
and have witnessed OF its ELECTS upon our religious
and political bodies have watched its progress with
increasing apprehension Bn did otexpeci 1t was SO soon
grave and threatening an aspect In most oi
religious denominations II has created new tests oi
christian fellows ship and seyerng the bonds OF christian al
lection ed the interests Of those who were once ond
united in a common while in political bodies II
has Tor wears been tiStuibcr III the public peace
The astatons consequent upon the recent stormy
which filed our federal halls have been felt through the
extremes q, the country. and almost everywhere the people
hen!to unless something be done 10 stay change
the course OF affairs the safety OF the Union must be en-
dangered.
Many Of The people of the South have had their eyes Ill
rected 10 the proposed Nashville Convention,
calculated effect change in the of affairs for
the better Recently however objections have been urged
against such step the part Of the South which fear
may have tendency Ia dycs the meeting ii take place.
Of that influence which ought have upon such sub
ect II II DC proper Tor me 10 venture an opinion upon
question which has called forth OF the abest talents
tie country, should say il seems 10 me we have
reached stage in the Of affairs when such meeting
proper and necessary do this sentiment
irrespective o the noble magnanmons lnerposon VI some
OF the controlling spirits Washington. have observed
their recent efforts with great interest," and await their re-
suits with intense anxiety.
Ii il has fallen the lot oil men, under pecuar.s
trying circumstances. 10 render service 10 their coiE
which should hold them i'll lasting remembrance by all Ia
lovers Of mankind Daniel Webster and his associated
friends in their efforts the Senate OF the Union
have attained this end humby that the resul; will
save the country from the dreaded consequences which
were supposed be pending upon the immediate crisis 81
the times. Yet all that Webster Cass Clay and Dick
inSon with their kindred spirits have done have had teurs
respecting the final and satisfactory settlement oi this queS
ton by legislation
he cause Of the present disqcude between the North
and the South IS not Of recent origin, or OF mere
casual nature, such sometimes arises from mere iotu
tois turn circumstances is be found in fixed and
lon corishcd design accomplish fixed and certain ends.
The which take, therefore, depend
more upon those which influence public opinion,
upon The skill in legislation This is
evident from the various phases which legislation has
suied different times regard the questions dl
ring this controversy, a OF which have been owing To the
changes which public sentiment has undergone out
Of The halls ot Congress
am inclined therefore doubt whether legislation
in The ablct hands l. the By which this unhappy al
fair 10 be- finally settled.
The variety OF forms in which this subject makes lis ap
pctiance public bodies renders it exceedingly difficult
make legislation eiiecla in regard 10 H. II the adyo-
Gates III any BE- defeated IN particular feature Of
the ease they their strength, and rally their forces
upon other feature Of the And il II DC not III
lne form which comes within th gsltiye jurisdiction oi
.rrs- i: in other, equally calculated 10
disturb the public mind, and interrupt the harmony OF the
Hence should the present eHharrassin. question III
the District ri Columbia The capture and detention o inel
tive slaves would effect the action vi Northern egsa
iur, large and popular meetings Of the North in
passing and publishing such re-oulions from Tune 10 Tune
the South md weaken the bonds OF union between hen
,tourc has tended ID increase the evil and
NAV continue So long the present political
%! ais continues 1t either Of the wo great political par
th- South has. any tme conceded anything for
sake peace with their northern BRETHREN mas been
converted capital for political purposes. They have
charged the South with being the and partners
# northern schemes while the position Of the other party
have been used the North in similar way, Tor SINH
lar purposes Aud each succeeding act OF legislation has
tits way tended alor llacous hopes 10 the friends Of
abolition, lar the position Of party has been
ccrncd and embttcr their feelings towards their alleged
opponents the South, far the position Of the other
was concerned.
BIZ, the action OF Congress freed from these
harrassna considera ons and the whole subject
brought within the of legislative influence then
should doubt whether legislation is the
likely effect the desired end BY legislation, mean
legislation without the aid OF any general and authentic
preston OF public opinonespecaly the part OF the
South. Any adjustment OF this question, which would like
~ DC permanent wna require many pro'siohsi ana pre-
there are but few oi our public men, who would BE- vii
in record their upon final issue OF question: in
yo.,ng the entire interests 81 the South without aulen
tic expression the Southern will; and they do
il mat tc of avail The legislature Of our State
short time since passed resolutions recommending the send
ing ot delegates 10 the Southern Convention. This action
the Legislature advocated BY bon parties and yet
has not met with unanimy on the part OF the people oi
'irglGa. Had they acted h; instruction from the people
y.un! have been far better. Representatives from the
North public halls literally tTamne!lcd BY in
sIctons from year year, from citizens united in
ria from public meetings and legislatures; while the rep
of the South with the exception Of an OCCASION
Ill expression OF legislature, under n mere etmlli
ton Of feeling et their skill in order on
pose their opponents abroad and 10 satisfy their
home. i simply understood in general terms that tiey
protect the South and to oppose Northern aggression:
Hence have as is easy enough Ia have under such
cumsianccs, more han Trojan siege o ruthless strife IL
ihcr another thing respecting this unpleasant
and Il he lrt he
South and Tor the ogh TINT should assemble the Wis
dom Of the South, and determine what do for the
sake OF peace and what cannot do consistent with INTEREST,"
Such meeting might prevent dangerous mistake on
the part 81 Northern friends, 10 the point which
neirentcrPrze must 10 retain It's benevolent chacer
ana become the nsruncntaty Of fearful disaster North
and South IL would hush the voice OF party cianor
ourselves. II would define the course Of action or the
south, and furnish data upon which public could
act with safety hereafter And terms Of Cancellation.
toned by such meeting would tar likely thu
confidence and respect OF the North Than anything done
uron mere individual responsibility
am aware that many Of wise and ludicoue citizens
entertain tears respecting such meeting. But
prepared 10 appreciate all the objections which have been
urged against H. That the people Of the South could not
trust themselves in the Nashville Convention 10 deliberate
and act upon their rights and interests exceedingly
strange for il they could themselves in assem-
oage met Tor counsel il be supposed that they
trust themselves any where else in any mode of action
upon this subject And if the people the South be ncapa.
BILE oi managing their own affairs know whom this
high trust shall be committed That there actious men
II SpulH cdHf.t Oe Gencd Ana there
n The North But there patriots amongst them
North and South Where is Webster and Cass Dickinson
Buchanan and Winthrop one hand? And where is the
renera,ed of Ashland, Mangum, Berrien Cobb Bell
Archer and Hunter, with host Of others that might be-
mentioned the oherl Men whose spirits have been tried
III almost evc5y relation o life and whose hearts while
ocerns Of public umu break their feet, would in every
pusa'on, prove true the sound of American Union
the faithful needle ~ is polar star! In any great meeting
either North or South is il likely such men
woa impress their image upon its proceedings than
suppose II would be left to the control OF the restless sed
tious spirits OF the country
We are told BY high authority that there parties at the
North who entertain different views upon this subject and
there can be doubt tim, there different degrees of feel
ing among the people If The South. But were the views
and feelings Of the grea, body Of the Southern people dis
ncy ST. forth in general and authoritative manner
car not doG5 that they would elicit kind and avor,ts
consideration rom the great body 81 the p.orr a; The North
ciaot tiuN i i TIT desire ii ,r rcoae u. tine S,tih
generally ,teni andioepeiuarc e ias,la,i, IN OF
contrary 10 the original understanding between Ike North
and South referred 10 in Mr. Websters great effort in the
Senate. Nor can believe it is the wish Of The great ma
JOINT: 81 our Northern brethren continue course Of ag
greson upon the South which cu of the use Of all
gentle means and may end only in of fearuness and
horror cannot hesitate To believe that there is su.
ccni degree OF the spirit of Cancellation and patriotism pre-
vains among the people Of the great extremes of The
country properly elected and distinctly SET forth and IN
dersiood TO hold The component parts Of this