Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1854-08-25
THE RICHMOND ENQUIRER.
THURSDAY MORNING, August 81
SOVEREIGNTY OF STATES.
I~S~-o-@e-o>~~>-~>~~>>.
BY RlTCHIES L. PRYOR.

SOVEREIGNTY OF STATES.
Through the dark and threatening cloud Of fanatl-
cism which now lowers over the horizon Of the free
States is cheering to many bright spots of truth
and light. 1t is needless for ia TO say that these
heahu sources light and safety are found alone IN
tho Democratic sphere. We have been particularly
pleased with reflection from the far West, from the
region OF the Lakes. We refer to M admirable view
of the subject in the Chicago "Young America an
able and fearless advocate of the sound doctrines Of
the States Rights school. The writer gives rapid
but enlightened history Of the origin and progress OF
tho copfederacv, and winds up with q scathing and
noweru tenunciation of the hypocrisy Of the present
enemies Of the repeal of the Missouri compromise
The problem that "he people are capable ot govern.
ing themselves has been solved The experiment OF
popular government has always been defeated Ill hu-
ropo bv the blasting mildew OF intrigue
In this country all overriding Providence Graded us
in our infancy and the universal respect IN which our
nation is held abroad, shows that we have had the
snrt and patriotism to defend ourselves against for
o;cn attack We have nothing to fear from TINT quar-
,,r Or- only danger is from the disturbing causes
and sectional influences springng up within our own
contedcracv. We have every day fresh experience
tbn, this i. nn evil second to none that has ever
made its appearance and that II must now be mel
and conquered. The immortal trainers OF our ConstI-
tuition foresaw and dreaded this great dangerand IN
seeking, 70 avert H. they showed themselves 10 be
mss,,rly statesmen. While to the national govern.
men, they delegated sufficient power for its peculiar
rurposcs they allowed each Sta!c TO retain It's sore
rc,r,,v. If this .compeci' were plainly and fairly
interpreted, the two would be kept safely in their
tha
cbock, and balances, and clearly defined powers,
would move on smoothly and without dangerous
;nr ar collision But the real enemies oi such wise
and sound constitutional government have betn ana
are now more ferceiy than ever Engaged in the vile
work of crushing the rights OF States aud OF secons'
and setting up their oum standard Of morality as the
true Shbbolcth of faith. They would carry out their
wild and msrcennry scheme, even though 'her Cog
god efforts would pull down the pillars OF The temple oi
constitutional liberty. Such ,rai;orsa arc handled WIFI
proper severity hy the writer III the Chicago ounS
America'-and tlie rebuke comes with vastly moro
effect from citizen OF free State, who has the mai'
lines, 70 do Justice 10 the South and 10 denouncc tie
| wr.,ched conspira,ors who Surround him. lie says
bot tho leaders of these enemies Of republican nstitn-
,ons are 70 be found n our Legislative halls, us Set
| of tho most bare-faced land ta'torom d'maeog"es
that any country can produce. Like continued de-
pravity in any shape, they have persevcred IN poi
cal treachcry they reduced to complete bank
run,cy-and the deadly and poisonous malaria Of their
hatred and discomfort can only be grashcd by the
dcstruction Of our constitution and our laws
They boldly and openly ororc that this is their
dosre and intention What 60 they about s'arcrW
How have they acted or expressed their feelings
,I,,,o nnffh
onpor,unitv has offered How do they reason upon
the subject! Have they pointed out the condition oi
pnv ono community OF Africans whose condition IS
even according TO their own neutrality-suspicious.
rnrnbe for comforts and happiness, CHRISTIAN aid
moral training, TO that OF tho slaves oi these lhI'eo
States, We speak oi the '1ndss of sar"s and mol
an s.!ated plantation where bGroarism may prevail
even 10 the extent ~ It d"c' IN soinr localities III
,h. free States and against white people Ill" Us "
oo, almost throughout Africa. Ask them II there
n spot in these United States where slavery has ho'
tended 10 c,rh Observation-Disclosures ana "'0"e
Js,,c, in every respect tho slave! They VIII answer
Won, if they have any sense or information, 'ha'
be-. is no; one State or county. But then they
will take up the other SIDE So very char"9o's
are they, that they wish 10 look after the we'll
beinr OF 0iI--both black and whuc-and VIII
tell YOU: "i, Injuries the moral character OF the
whites ~ and this they call christian ctarl-
~. Keep aloof from the poor the needy the
destitute and ignorant, lest 10 rcplenlsh ihcr c1
hnus,ei stores in these respects You d'mHtsh y'"'
oun Let the teasy Jiack remain So lcst, to civlze
aud cllristianize him, You diminish little our own
stock. Beautiful reasoning this, and false as It is
otherwise disgusting yet such is the theme of those
whose cases we arc going 10 consider. Look III
10 the Southern Sa,os and tell where you can find
more eloquent statesmen, refined gentlemen, and mo
rnl. devout christians, Who have higher or holicr
r-spcc for the eternal truths OF religion, the laws OF
God and man, than the Southern people as mass =
We arc Northern ourselves, and have no pro-siarcry
procrit,es-yet we chaIensca al honest, and thorough
Is truthful examination Of these things. Slavery has
existed or this continent for than tT0 hundred
years-it hos been progressing both in extent, and in
condition and character.
"Thc time was when the fresh african was consid-
cred more brute than human and was so treated
The relation between master and slave has changed
equally. The institution has been shifting from one
locality to another, inever back to former place
while the common spectacle now is, to see master and
slaves oil kneeng at the same altar OF Christs holy
government! What would have been thought OF
such sight two hundred years ago? Verify doth 1t
seem true that God even hath his design in this
as other matters among short sighted men. Our own
views are that slavery is destined 10 be extended but
no, pcrpctuatsd. Thousands OF square miles will YET
counin scrvitudc from ono part OF the human family
10 another where it does not now exist yet shall 1t
NOT continue! But to return to the TRAITORS whom
wish 10 hold up for Tho special consideration Of the
homes, masters They oppose everything that is rca-
sorable just and fraucht with coinincn sense; they
advocate everything tkat is sicky-sen,imer;ol-
fana,ical and deusive. They catch at every
possible "crpedicncy' for present purposes Lav'
ing nu character or foundation in trutE they merely
iloa Oh the tide Of circumstances and catch nj the
little twigs Of opportunities Nothing atable-no'
thing constant In 1920 they moved heaven aEc
earth to prevent tho Missouri compromise, which was
n that time little pill Of necessity to MI great and
good statesmen. Being most beautiful present cx'
pcdicu however enough of tho trators thought they
sew in the future Of the measure the clements 10
crafty their highest ambition, viz: OF discord and
agaton hence it succeeded and has ever since been
the source from whence special clique has drawn
their sustcancc. Subsequently, when We acquired tor
riory Lc yonl and far outside of husc nits-tlc same
great statesmen aud thor proteycs who I'D reconclcG
tho for quiet i'll the rs: place which they
did no, get 10 the oudordcavorcd TO extend the same
compromise westward. But no; here came the most
viocn; opposition from these fotso7;s.,-rc.:r
would they consent TO any such. They domn"d TIE
Missouri Compromise, and said il was no co!npro-
,niss-cacd i; n farce put on to the north, and so
forth Follow them little later, even to 1921, and
what is their coursc' They havo been asked TO e.
,ia b,, IN IEsra
ns it was no. thou lot US repeal it BY ,rord as it is rt-