Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-06-17
THE TKI'E ISSUE,

The Democrat. of the SrCtG, III the pending can
yass, cannot rel. Ga. tne old grouhds OF apology
and e-c.s, .or slavery; for they seek, not merely 10
retain it where it il, but TO extend II mo regions
where il is unknown Much less, can they rely on
the mere constitutional guarantees OF slavery Tor
such reliance is pregnant With the admission tha'
slavery is wr.au and but iOr the constitution shouu
e a.oshca This constitutional argument Tor slave
ry standing alone, fully juStlfes tho rI'r" aOol'"I'
I,,onists wh, propose to dissolve the Union rather
than be made the instruments TO uphold m iniqni
,,rs n.titut;on They clearly right, it slavery b.
or,IIv rony for 10 get rid Of it under the c"nstIiu'
o, or nv amending the constitution, is conessediy
nurscticable In truth, the constItuiio cannot heiP
slavery if it be violation Of the laws oi Goa anu
of morality. In that case the constitution shoud D"
chanycd. or tho Free States should secede, rather
,hnn continue 10 guaranty what they consider nno'
m, and profune. The constitution cannot help slave
go. s,- apo,be- reason. That insti.aiion extending
through fifteen States, and .nterramIed with The IN
t.r.sts the feeling. and the very existence OF many
mill;o.s If men, is much stronger than the const'tu
t;on. II would be far easier to change or violate
,bo constitution, than to abolish slavery. Be-
.id.s slavery is older than the constitution,
existed before ii. ard independently o! it. We de-
riv. Nh r,,,; 10 our slaves from il, and wraken our
csse nv seeming to rely it. Nor will it avnil Us
aught to show that the negro is most happy anu pest
situated in The condition of slavery. If We stop
there. we weaken our cause by the very arguIG=h!
intended 70 advance it, for propose TO Introduce
into n.w territory human beings whora We assert I"
be unf, for liberty, self-governneEi aud equal assu
cistion with other MEL. We must 60 STEP farther
We mus, show thai African slavery Is moral, rel'-
pors natural, and proably, i'll the general, neces'
sarv Institution of society. This is the osly line q;
aryrnent that vii! enable Suutheruers to ;naintau
tne doctrines of Stale equality and slavery extension
For if slavery be not legitimate, useful, moral
and expedent institution. we cannot, without reprooi
Of conscience and tie blush of shame SEEK to extend
it, or assert our equality with those States having
no such institution.
C,ur Northern friends need not go thus far. They
do not sg.k to .xend slavery, but only agrees to lis
extension, as matter OF right on our part. They
max prefer their social system 10 ours 1t s best
that they should. 1t is ar awful evil when I"rg'
and Influential party ike the abotionIsts' becomes
dissatisfied with oil the existing relations and lnstu
tiona Of society," and schemes, and plans AID agtae:
~ subyert them. Onr tricnds are conservatives al
b,me. and conservative Of the Union-cOnservativt
Of religion, of marriage, OF property, of STATE lns
,utions, and Of federal institutions. They cheerst
and cultivate none of those isms, that propose to d
vorce man from wife, aud children from sucety anl
from God But whist they may prefer their owl
social SYSTEM they will have to admit in this canvass
that ours is also rightful and legitimate and sane
toned alike by the opinions and us"ges OF mankind
and by the authority and express iunctons OF scrip
,ure. They cauno: co<e stently maintain that slave
rv is immoral, nexpedient and proinne, and yet con
,inue 20 submit to its extension.
Wa know that We utter bold truths. But the
limo has arrived when their uttcrance can bG no
longer suppressed; The true issue should stand GU
" snid r.l-f so that non.. NAV mistake il.