Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-12-02

OF maintaining the general doctrine that Congress has
power to abolish slavery in the District OF Columbia
The single fact, that in the State Convention, as in
MS canvass Tor seat in that body, and IN all his
speeches during the present gubenaoral canvass he
has denied to the Legislature the right to abolish
slavery. makes it clearly impossible that with his pre-
sent views he should concede that powerto Congress
as the local Legislature of the District.
But we now propose to show that the charge re-
Gently brought against him, that in the Legislature Of
1885, he declared by his vote that Congress has the
power without qualification, is unfounded.
And, first, we refer readers TO the extracts we
publish to-day from speech delivered by MI sum-
mers in the House Of Delegates, on the 10Th OF jan
uary, 1885, in the midst of very able debste upon
certain resolutions and amendments relative to the
then subject of Northern agitation against the
institution of slavery. 1t will be seen, that Mr.. Sum-
mers although unable to declare that Congress would
under no circumstances whatever, such the ex
pressed desire of the slayeowners themselves, be COM
peent 10 abolish slavery in the District, avowed his
readiness to in the declarations touching that
subject which deemed sufficiently strong by the
special committee Of the House, by Mir. Watkins, of
Goochand the leader of the Democratic party, and
by many of the soundest men of the body. The SEN
timents uttered by him in that speech were those of
firm and loyal Southern man, and we invoke for
them the special attention OF every who is willing
to Judge fairly.
We proceed to give the history of the discussion,
and of the most important propositions with which it
was connected; obtaining materials from the
| ports published in the Richmond Enquirer.
| On the 9Th of January, special committee report
ed TO the House series of resolutions, in relation to
the Abolition proceedings at the North; and Mr.
Hugh A. Garland, of Mecklenburg, presented coun-
er-serles, as minority report. The principal diff
ference between them was, that the former did, and
the latter did not, pronounce the acts of the Adolf
onlss, in their capacity of citizens, violations of the
constitutions and this Of the chief points in
| volyed in the debate.
| JAM 1.-The second resolution of the original re-
| port read follows:
| 2. Resolved, That each State had originally the
sole and exclusive right to interfere wh control or
egisate upon the subject of domestic slavery within
its jurisdiction-a right which far from being i'm
parted is recognised and guaranteed by the Consti-
tuition OF the United Sates-and all interference there
with by the General Government the other States,
or the ci1ens thereof is invasive of the rights OF the
States, and violates the obligations OF the Constitu-
| tom
The competing resolution of the substitute was as
| follows
Resolved, That Virginia has the sole right to legis
late over the slaves in her territory, and any attempt
to change their condition, whether made by Congress.
or the people OF the other States, will be regarded
an invasion OF our rights"
| The question, striking out the original I'd
resolution and inserting this, divided; and Mr..
Garland moved to strike the words "or the citi-
| Gems thereof"
| After much debate the motion was rejected, ayes
| 20, noes lO8. [Mr. Summers in the negative
Jan. 12-Mr. Watkins moved TO lay the resolutions
on the table, in order that ga consultation might be
had"-molion rejected, ayes 81, Ga. Mr.. Sum-
| mers in the negative
| Jan. 13.-Mr Watkins moved to recommit the
port and resolutions select committee egatlved,
ayes 80, noes 60 Mr. Summers MOI
Mr.. Watkins then moved series of resolutions
substitute for the ID original resolution The first
two of the series were in these words:
l. Resolved, That Virginia has the exclusive right
to egslate the slaves within her territory, right
guaranteed by the Constitution OF the United States,
and any attempt to change their condition. whether
made by the Federal Government or the other States,
will be regarded invasion of our rights under the
Federal Compact
g. Resolved, That although exclusive legislation
over the District of Columbia is vested in the Con-
gress OF the United Staes yet should regard any at
tempt on the part of that body berate the slaves
IN that District, violation of the rights of pro-
perty breach OF faith to the slaN ehodng States,
and ss precursor 10 scheme for the abolition of
slavery IN the Southern States.
This resolution Mr.. Summers said in his speech
on the 10th of January, he ready vote for and
also for the original resolution of the committee
touching the same subject
The 4th of Mr. Watkins series respectfully and
earnestly requested our sister saveholdng States
to adopt such will effectuay suppress all
these associations within their respective limits pur
porting to be, or having the character of Abolition
Societies.
Jan. l4,-Mr. Voolfolk moved to amend the I'd re-
solution of the committee, to declare that the
Legislature would regard ':any attempt on the part of
that body Congress) to berae the slaves in the Dis
trct. violation of the Constitution"
Adopted, ayes lis, noes 49, Mr. Summers, no.
This is the vote which Mr.. Summers. on the 18th
January, explained and defended in the speech from
which publish extracts
Jan. 15-The debate continued.
Jan. 16-The I'd resolution of the committee was
striker out, ayes 81, noes GA. [Messrs. Summers,
Stanard, Brown of Petersburg, &C., no.
The debate continued with great warmth.
Jaa. ls-Mr. Gilmer moved to adjourn that they
Knight come to some compromise" Ayes "a, noes
Al. [Mr. Summers aye.l
Jan. 16.-Mr. Miller offered series of resolutions |
which, he said, it was believed would effect COM |
promise.
INSTEAD of giving them here, we shall insert them
as they were adopted the next day
Jan. 20 The compromise resolutions were TAX en-
up, ayes lis, So. [Mr. Summers aye.]
The committees resolutions and the substitutes
thus set aside.
The first of Mr.. Hers resolutions passed
without division.
NiF IHOVeu 10 ny luseIlNS oltel
first the following:
Resolved, That the formation of Abolition socie-
ties, and the and doings OF certain fanatics calling
themselves Abotionists, in the -slaveholdng |
States 10 direct violation OF the obligations OF the
Constitution, d!ssocia and ncendiary 10 the extreme
Mr. Stanard's motion was rejecled-ayes SO, moss
SO.
The second resolution was then agreed to without a
division. The third ayes l22, s. the fourth and
fifth without division.
Mr. Miller then moved to amend the series oil reso-
buttons, by inserting after the fifth, the following:
Resolved That Congress has constitutional
power to abolish slavery in the District oil Columbia,
Z IL; A L