Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-01-10

cuon Apprehensions have been entertained tina
| under the hastily considered provisions of the act
passed during aperlod OF unusual citation, persons OF
color claiming to be free, and really free, not al
lowed those reasonable opportunities and those custo
mary legal safeguards necessary to enable them
tablish by adequate proof the fact of their freedom.
A recent case has shown this belief to be not
merely speculative and that the danger that freeman
under the summary mode in which that law be
executed, may be hurried into captivity not wholly
| ina ginary. We cannot and we do not believe that
the South, any more than the North aims at desires
such result-or will insist on retaining provisions
leading to such exciting consequences We shall RELY
not only on their sense OF proprey and reciprocal JUS
tlce, but their calm conviction that the law itself to
be permanent, must be reasonable tor their uniting,
after due reflection with their brethren othe North in
kind and dlspassionae spirit, in reviewing such clau
as may be found detective or Objectionable, and in
consenting to such judicious notifications as may
| command general approval.
In the meantime our people must be lett free to ex.
anime its provisions and practical operation. Their
vital and fund right to discuss the merits of this
any other law passed by their repre- .entatiyes
stutes the very basis of our Republican system, and
can never be surrendered Any attempt to restrain it
would prove tar mole dangerous than its treest exer-
clse But IN all such discussions should dvest our
selves OF sectional or partzan prejudice and exercise
spirit OF comprehensive PATRIOTISM respecting alike the
rights OF every portion OF our common country.
Before dsmssng the subject of our fedora relations
deem it my duty to advert to the serious evils which
some OF our most important interests have suffered
from the failure OF Congress TO extend that protection
| W American winch has shown to
be necessary to sustain certain branches oil manutac-
lures against foreign competition. We the effects
of the tariff of 1916, in the suspension of many esab
shmens, not only in our own, but sister States
vovng large investments of capital depressing not on
ly the labours OF the manufacturer and mechanic but
mparng the market they had created for the products
OF agriculture. 1t is reasonable to hope that this
state of things injurious and unnecessary NAV be
| remedied in some degree at least by udicous and
| timely action in Congress.
The interests of this State, in common with Other
sections OF the country, have also suffered much detr
ment from the neglect OF the General Government to
make appropriations for the mpl ovement of Lake Har
bors and the removal Of distractions in the Hudson
River For more than twelve years, the great power
conferred on Congress by the Constitution to aid anc
protect navigation on our national channels of com.
| merce has virtually been held in abeyance, dorman
and is exercised Than derelction OF duty has caused
great embarrassment to all the interests connected witt
our internal trade 1t has compelled the State incur
heavy expenditure which should be borne by the Fede
raj treasury The Canal authorities are now engaged
IN the construction OF expensive pier at the Harbo
OF Buffalo, for the safety and accommodation of thu
| Lake shipping entering at that port. The expense
| this work is estimated at $200009
An account OF this expenditure willb kept unde
the direction OF the Canal Board, and at proper june
ture the amount expended ought and doubtless will be
refunded to the State by the General Government
Every consideration OF interest and duty demands tina
the powers belonging to Congress tor the regulation
and protection OF Commerce should be steadily and vi
gorousy exercised by such constitutional action as ma
best advance the national welfare and fulfil one of the
leading purposes OF the Federal compact tits sub
ect OF sincere congratulaton that under our benecen
system OF government which commits to the people tn
choice OF their rulers, the Federal Administration ha
been inrused to statesmen OF large experience expan
sve patr olsm and sound national principles and tina
we may look to them with confidence to give full Ell
ect to all measures which may be adopted by the re
presentatlves OF the States and the people calculate
to protect the interest and promote the prosperity Of tn
Union.
Since the adjournment Of the last Legislature, til
country has been called upon to the loss of be
loved and venerated Chief Magistrate. Zachary Tay
lor, the hero without fear and the patriot without re-
proach, whose exploits had won the admiration, Will
his virtues gained the affections his countryn,en wa
crowned with honors and lamented by grateful PEG
pile, to whose glory and welfare his lie had been devo
ted: BY this affective dspensaton of providence, tn
duties OF the Chief Executive Office devolved up
on eminent citizen of our own State, in whose M
lrotism the people have long reposed the highest conf