Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1854-09-19
from the Washington Union
LETTER OF HON. HENRY 4. WISE

LETTER OF HON. HENRY 4. WISE.
We present to our readers this morning Il very ap!'
letter uf Hon. Henry \. Wise Of Virginia, III rep!
L. certain intcrrusatorics of a citizen OF the eastern
States, which cannot fMl 10 he highly Interesting
Without pretending 10 endorse ali that may DC saiu D!
, Mr.. Wise upon the subject when II" uiScunscs' 'n>
much is certain, that in the learning, Inc ah!ii'!' INC
,luuunnr.. and the power he has brought Ia all hls
sid al the oucstion, he has once more established his
nlre and almos, unrivullcd qualities as u bold aud ac-
:Tomplished progressive statesman. His letter Will be
read with deep interest: -,
SiR:-I have boen pastor of Il church in Bos-
ton :or twenty wears. spent the time from
Alarci.. 70 juno last in Georgia, South Carolina, and
Virginia. : | was greatly Interested III many
agreeable disappointnIenis whic! | experienced rcla-
ting t" slavery. | think | saw its liabilities, and had
new views of tho coInfOr; and happiness at slaves
when their relations arc favorable. was persuaded
that our northern friends were under misapprehcii-
si,ns. Us | was, upon the subject. and that some
things NIGH; be said 10 relieve honest, conscientious
people who are distressed about slavery.
But. chiefly. | WIS 81" nIucis interested IN the blacks
whom then saw for the first time. and III looking at
the question of their destiny. thar /, sccneI! Ia me We
NIGH, divert the northern al.agolism "a slavery into
Il mutual effort with The South 10 plan Tor III. g"oi a.;
the African race. That 50 many al them should be
hopefully Christians. nor" pr"pOrtl"naiiy than ot any
other Immigrant race, led me To think whether God
has Ia; II plan OF mercy for them which Is not yet tilt
is!icd and il 81, whether VIZ would not do better TO
find it out, and fall in with il, than 10 divide the
lnInn.' aud whether tins would not thtCtual-
Is sui.erscdc the present bitter abolition feeling
and measures. | am therefore, preparing a kind, con-
cilia,ory statement OF my impressions and reflections
AZ the South for publication.
At the South | heard YOU, sir, and your opinions
spoken of with great respect rs representing one side
OF the subject. 1t would strengthen ne much III my
aim IA do good toknow your opinions on Il few p"in:s,
viz:
l.. What idc0 have You oi the destiny Of the slave
population in the United States!
y, W hat Is SDur conviction with regard TO The prNc-
t~icabiiity and usefulness 10 al concerned o! the colo
nilatirn scheme
3. II q slave asserts his liberty and runs away, do
you feel that he oG3!,. I" be recovered, or has he n
naturG! right ~ escape II he chooses
/. Docs slavery west ot Georgia and il, he south
west differ mlch as 10 severity from that in the cast
crn and central southern States!
D. l. emancipation desirable Or possible in any view
Of il, il the blacks are 10 remain herel Where did
John Randolph's slaves find refuge at last, after be-
ing driven out by several free States?
do not propose TO Use your name, but your views.
4 few lines from you soon Oh the foregoing
topics would greatly obli:e me-.
Very respectfully and truly, yours,
y. ADAMS.