Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-04-22

u the government which you row have. But II yIfu q,
move! by high sense Of equal justice to all, and
eesosou 10 popular principles and the property of th
otate cannot but hope you will soon agree to abando
IT, deny that this inequality, III the number Of slave
east ana west constitutes any sound reason for g1n
10 lie east the preponderace of power in the legislator
AGAINST the common principles OF right and equality
~'ave property Is entitled to any other considera
ton in this particular than other property is If we
the west unlike the people of the east that W,
canGo live together on terms OF equality if we ar.
devoid OF good and sound morals, to render
this kind Of property Useless or dangerous in
have our equal STARE of legislative power may fur
n;sh god reason whr We should be seperae, but not
: why should abatc surrender, our claim to equal
power and equal rights. whether private political or
. governmental Ii YOU doubt our honesty or the sound
hess of our morals (and think YOU will not do it, II on
y gives Increased force The argument Of separation,
Unless v"I hc unlurtiatc think. L. I ours Is OF that
40" wheel Will readily make III submit to tie condl-
ION OF Interiors and ks, the rod that smes If YOU
Ilhik lis dishonest and degraded in morals. am not
surprised nj ': efforts to place IL in condition infer
Or 10 yourselves For j. and always has been true
:ht people who dishonest and degraded in virtue,
are in tina! erect prd;c@cm which makes readily
submit themselves to the rule of Others. make these
observation, viii, n ple,surc-ior from desire Of
wi,'"nlng the breach between Us but from solemn
sense Of what think Gic 10 tie occasion and the ext
geirv OF lie Argument.
.lEonrallc cn and men wortlyt b" free cannot
agree to be deprived OF equal share and wcg in tLs
gov rn!ct lvc.:ls, different kind ot property prevail
with than with StIpt c lis ;erhac. and reduced
/" 1t practical bearing What does this argument that you
i:st hay" cotruI of the government, because of your
>la's "ictu l. Il not this and this only that wee the
IVES; must IT, make ourselves slaves, that yor may
defend yo;:. lh!, i, strong language but NJ. stronger
i-cni.Lerln. the arguments and timcnts advanced
bv y"iih#n the occasion Demands Ii this inequality
III "layc, east and west affords any reason why YOU
should now have he control of the legislature You will
forever have it and we'll yoa 'now it, Aud well you
al, Sow ::.t this is the plausible ground on
which rests yOlIr claim rule the est. Your slave
property, like other properly IL entit" to protection,
al. > We willing give YOU by tn highest sane
liol7-ny proper PROVISIONS. II Tile constitution Itself
bat We are mt wiling 10 give v"n oar et"im to M
c"rl share Ill the lce ilat;t. whether ii Is much or il
tie I" eae you control thu legislature For if You
control II n unc thing. YOU mas do il il all things
II The ina ,ril ut the rccmcn Of the State give tho
power. YOU are aboruc hard and ir,eniousr tn
retain: they viii he false to themselves and suffer lights
to h. wrr-!"I from them which patriots and lovers
If liberty they bound By the highest obligations to
hc;sct ana their poste:ity 20 defend aid maintain
Lam Just recovering tr" several vcars of feeble health
and find that mus; aDrc" M observations mere than
had intended But exhausted as | am feel con-
strained to ask gentlemen Of the question or two,
by way Il reply this claim of power their part, be-
fore close Is tac sole leading purpose Of tho
government IL lav and d;sb;r-e taxes and protect orc
Slrc.tS If prop,r It seens to ME genilc show
very narrnw vie government, w!eI III discussing
they r"niinc their altogether taxation ar.
one kind OF property. i'll listening to the arguments OF
tie friends of tie mixed basis hardly avoid con-
clli!. that the government is made only to hry torts
and protect aiarery;ul That Questions of trade and
commerce" manufacturers aud agriculture matters OF
n" i!.pii.c.it. and that il moorsine whether
Won; institutions and laws rstocratic democratic.
i We of the wcs: look upon the matter III very dlt
;"rc; IL hi. We think government is established for
different and altogether more important purposes,
SIti u..rIt p
ter, which ought not TO be overlooked aid especially
when come 10 adjust, the proper limitations and re-
aticiions, upon the power Of the Legislature. The Lc-
Gsatnrc Mr. Chairman, must be entrusted with large
discretionary rcrerS unless YOU mean TO cripple 1t, and
to take from 1t tic power OF doing good, which am
sure you do no, intend 10 TO- Free institutions are tho
lf@hicod OF republic, It's soul, lis annas and liic-
preserving principle. Without them, &c Stale will not
prosper IT," people be conten;cd andhappy. Upon
ia PEOPLE til" legislation OF the State ad its laws muo
have important and controlling; influence The law OF
d"sccis and Distribution OF dead mems estates, are not
matters Of Indifference. Sr. Randolph land who was
the m:stcrsiri: of the East in the Convention Of 1920
was in inc habit: during his life, as well inform
cd Of tracing many, OF what he thought TO be political
evil, TO the law taking away the right OF prmogcnlture-
the right of The first born. Is Your criminal law mat
Ter rf moment: i il matter OF indifference who
thcr it is cruz; or mild law: Saying nothing Of the
policy Of the State in regard 10 great schemes OF i'll
pro"cm.cut with view TO II, business and commerce,
systems. IL regard TO county roads and county
What uf you: LAWS concerning shcr!fs anu constitutes,
and Your whole system OF remedial Justice: our laws
Tor The recovery u debts, and the redress OF private in
;,i.s including ycur coo. Of land laws: Your militia
= SYSTEM, hat OF it: And above ell how as to edlca-
tior The common schools and the colleges and acade-
. mics too ii you please:
these are questions we have right to ask-questlons
in which, lovers of our country, and as responsive
mc we arc bound 10 feel deep, perrading and abd-
ing interest. In The disposition that may be made of
these great matters these questions of vital Importance,
are not entitled to our full voice, and TO as much
power YOU Of the east: In such weishty matters IS
the voice Of the majority to be stifed or do all these
matters dwndlc into nothing, compared with that OF
: taxation and the protection Of slave propcrty'
B, am not done with this attempt to take from us
our Just power and weight in the Legislature, because
5 OF the existence OF negro property Is Your LcSisia
trc necessarily harmless body Loon at its past his
tor. and look at Virginia of the United States
MAY not pass, may not refuse to pass, mo matter
which, to the question now IN hand resolutions fuil
of good ui .! cril-resolton involving the nlgnest
sacred interests of the State and OF the Union!
f Ma, not single act of the Legislature involve u. In
wal. or preserve tho blessings of peace? And wo
o; Ir vest 10 be deprived Of our full weight in the de-
c:;Dn Of such momentVus conccrls Will yoC pretend
ih, slavery is OF sufficient momcn' TO swallow up all Tn.
great and mOnicntous matters have before enuner<.d:
canao; gentlemen. but be surprised at this cx:raor-
ditary demand Oh your part.
ii your gca! object protection 10 this peculiar pro-
perry. and defence against unjust taxation you can Sc
get better security than mere legislative ma oriy al
lords. lf the owners OF property always Lad ;ori
" 4: the Legislature Of srh m.n, would it give private
property good security that clause IT, most
81 cur American constitutions does, which SAYS, "Pri-
,a,c property shall not be taken for nuJc without
lust compensation" When you refuse these guarantees
and will have nothing but legislative majority, is it
Hol apparent, tl.a political power. ard Lr ether objects,
il soar object? Ii Is of no avail 10 call such pa
nc Guarantees for tic Constitution itself is nothing but
raarr guarantee. 10 isrs such guarantees, is 10
d.ir,i-t the Constitute? itself
] 10 divert attention. and break the force Of argu
mcr tia. YOUR object is power not protection YOU
.yr raised IL" rv that moved in this matter By
the mere lust Of power This reminds Of the old
.t,r oil the rogue who sped de on under Tie cry
n stop the thief But, Six. will not coucca that
re are Il. pur-ui, Of power. Dat this is the true
urst on: il il, arc III pursuit. 81 H. .r;thom right?
! Ills is the true ISSUE and on it willing meet
,ou ard icar not the result while it is i"uc that ono
:oe. i, entitled m"ch weight III the government
., another. We are in pursni. Of no power you here
ROT We ask power re do not propose to give TO YOU
ru, ts il rot the with you; you ask for yourselves
mower which you are not willing . give u.s. We do
.e would he done b.. You ask that in the
shall have 10 more power than man in the East.
". ask that cnch OF the Stale. matter where
III have equal and weight i'm tie