Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-03-18
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VI nv. 70 :. rse.rded an exception than any other
us.t,r. however fo.eiga. And il the phraseolcgy OF
Me lie such that it in terms embraces the sub
;.ct proposed to b made exception it only proves
that the rule principle itself Is laid too broad that
exprsssed it s not true and that it should BE- mod
Aed to present the truth forfeit its claim to
rsetaess.
To form a principle v hch presents naked aud
tAak very papabls TRUTH and not subject to just ex-
eeptoa, has BENNY object but am not over tenacious
If my opinion, and If it be demonstrated to be
laid too toe broad stand ready to admit the
fact and remedy the for TO my mind it is OF ut
most importance in this in all other matters TO begin
right WE must walk slowly in the morning if We
wscld galop ~ night indeed without this there
hope Of correct results 1t is for this that have
dweltso long upon this proposition. A proposition BY
No nesns new but that has received the sanction
II large number Of eur States and which. do not
hesitate TO any, is ia accordance with the opinions Of
large majority Of the community.
In supporting this principle, nm sy no means intlu
eeed BY the result which may b. anticipated for do
net heetats to believe that the white population basis
would give more power to tho Wsst than the one al
vseate But / believe it, upon strict technical arsu-
nest not 10 he understandable. But would by no
means object to the white population hasi. of practice
indeed it may be found that the results TO nearly
Tho samo that it may be advisable matter OF
rsaieace I" adopt the population hasa although At
prcsent do not ace the necessity vi suck,
The second proposition which propose TO advocate
hse already been read to YOU, This proposition no
sct hesitate to helisve will "a principle receive nors
no.ssss support and sanction from hi. body than
whca shall advocate. And yet there is every
. fear that in practice il will again b. wholly d=re
Corded m il hsS eyerb been.
IAA although it b the most cherished principle VI
reruhlecAn government and nearest the heart of
evest freeman especially when applied to himsef the
Athsmpt may and will be made to render it nugatorv in
effect and y supposed considerations of necessity and
policy, to make it wholly inapplicabe 10 the terribly
peculiar position Of Virginia But of this hereafter.
At present let 1t be purpose to ascertain distinctly
asd positively whether il he true and if in due time
the consequences shall be cared for indeed il We are
right. they will take care of themselves
1t will be perceived that have assumed NO more
ground than absolutely necessary for to stand up
ON, position which my opponents cannot charge
TO be general or abstract have made sweeping
ssrton Of universal equality and freedom have re-
fused to adopt the language Of the declaration OF indie
Pendenee anu bill Of rights. from doubt however in
my own mind Of ts entire correctness but because
the confederation Of the ha question in Virginia may
be called abstract and it's demonstration unnecessary to
the decision Of the que ton at Issue and because
aware that objections exist TO ts breath and romprehen7
-. .-----. 1tea,ap J.. - lazy lame aud
sivtre.. Of expression whlIse not applicable to my
y1op"ei.ion objections the truth alsity of which
not effect the present issue, and am by will
ling TO this great question become involved lift be
possible to prevent it, with matter foreign to its merits
Collateral issues in inquiry after truth. are ever to
be avoided and the present is most striking instance of
the utility Of this caution, Objection. to the assertion
that all born free and equal cay tic least
Of them, may be urged with great plau.ibty aud show
Ct TeaeoH and 10 the ears OF slavcholdg people not
pehaPe without appreciation and cred.nce-~hilc to
deny to the white male screreigns Of Virginia common
equality. would try The nerves of the boldcst have
thsrefEa restricted wv proposition to the soveregns
themselves. But have said, and / repeat. that
believe in the truth Of the declaration of Mr. jefferson
that all men are born free and equal"
know that this original equality of men has been AZ
is by an to the proposition. 1t i The
vostc trick of the vicious to attempt Ia sustain their
ercrs vices by the peryereion Of the maAns Of
tun Wolves in sheept clothing are not the creation,
ofthis agethey old the father of lies. Til,
very revelation Of Col 10 man has b,eu the fruitful!
hive fcn which have been stolen the excuee- for ono
hall the crimes and cruelties Of chr:steniom l, it
therefore wonderful that the atheists and abo.itss
the dirty scum Of Europe and Amerca-should Perrcrt
The doctrines of ciferson-wth me, it weighs nothing
lese tAaa nothing. Abol,ioniss may influence my nc
hons hut my principles, never.
This suhjcct Of mems equality, necessarily a
Fundamental principle Of every democracy or repub
he has been attacked BIZ another species of argument
Judge Upeher. the greatest Of the advocates of the
afstocratic basis in the last convention made the fol-
lowing argument: And gentlemen have fallen into
another error alec of kindred nature. They build
their systems upon the notion of abstract equality.
for which there Ia warrant in thing We know Of
ia the history of man. | am about to Dor
rowed idea but ia valuable for it's TRUTH and per-
feetly applicable to the subject The first account we
have Of man is that contained in the bible and how
viii this notion Of original equality stand when tested
BY that orthodox bookl Adam the first Of created
beinga Eve created next: and the very fiat which
hoaxht her into existence suhected her into the do
sinioa Of her husband. Here then was equality
Cain the fret born Of and at what period did
ne become the equal of his father And yet the noble
Judge prove another proposition the following
lsnguage Il have endcavored to show that by nature
all are equal and pos.ess equal rights. The woman
and children must be counted here also a. we'll As man
Now Is not this most papablo inconsistency; nay, Is
position Of man. equality by tho assertion of mans
snperiurty over His own wife and child; ia it not
total evasion Of the true spirit of the issue: and yet
ifi. not completely evasion Of the spirit than
total perveson OF its terms for there are but the two
propositions that have been commended for The one
that all men orc equal that women were equal t"
not that children were equal to their parents The
other that all men born equal that Ia that
when borll at the tim, of birth, they were equal
have not mentioned this argument of the ingenious and
able Upsher much to contest ts truth, from fear
Of any force it might to possess to show
how important it has been regarded to overthrow
weaken this notion Of equality and how utterly impo-
tent i. the most giant intellect when struggling against
single truth To what evasons. nscon: uctions and
Contradictions it ia compelled to resort what straws
its compelled to clutch in ts drowning agony But let
this pAss dare sly the noble Judge who could find
thing in c history Of to warrant the conclusion Of
he Abstract equality, mas long ere thH IN tnat world o
sprita which he has departed learned that at least
in tie ehancery Of Heaven equality ia equity" aud
that the Judge of judges is "respector of persons
But whatever may be considered of the general
propositions of equality, the one advocat. admits
40 such exceptions liable to such objections. Ii
leaves the ladies' babies and gentlemen ofcoor into The
hands Of those who are able to do them ample jus
tice than mysef aud with them must go the sophstrie
and special pleading Of the opposition II presents thu
naked question: the soveregns Of Virginia equal
Il FREQ white man of Mason county, Virginia. equal to
freewhite man Of King George county, Virginia. Ar
the people Of western Virginia born free those
the east! Arc they not strong q. brave as honest
"a intelligent. and pAtrotcf Dothey not breathe
free IN air look upon bright skies, and g rou
scsne.: 1t may 10 askcd why ask such qneetons
Why pause long upon the very horntook of democra
CIT Why cayi about the very A. B, G. Of politics
WHY argue in the middle Of the 18th century in thi
republican land the very basis Of all republicansm
Lct those who inquire. first answer me why they have
hem denicdt Let them but look to the reckless pcrver
zion and bold denial of all principles BY which thu
champions Of the arstccracy of wealth have hereto"r
overawed o. blinded the republican feelings and tenden
ciee Of our people, and my will stand justified
The course of the opposition both in theory aud prac
ce has rendered these questions necessary and the,
must in substance be answered. The time has come
In the course Of human events" when not only m,
-, &c.