Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-03-28


streets with white hearts and coffeecolored ep,hIms
and red crosses. indicating intense danger to morality
and decency invoke the presence of the great Know
Nothihg Sanhedrim-cRll upon learned Barrister TO
emhody III grave resolves tho very cream and qun
tessence OF his genius; publish extracts from the
speech denounce it as Indecent and i'll bred" and
parade themselves the peculiar advocates Of "pcr
sohai prnprleties and social decencies" Why do
lhey not call upon all gentlemen to eschew the socie
fy OF such man and invoke the American party TO
taboo the Eutaw House. because the proprietor per-
mtted Mr.. Donelsun to speak within ts precincts!-
Why do they not forbid all gentlemen to call upon
him, and request that they turn up their noses in
holy horror nt the mention of his name' Why do
they not say that their new Candidate for the
Vice Presidency Quoting the Whig,) sis in his
natural element only when personating the character
of blackguardl" Why do they not proclaim with
the Wing again. "that we have never known any
thing since our connection with politics to be re-
ceived by tho public Of all parties with moro in
tense oathing and disgust" than the speech of A. j.
DOnelsonl
The speech of Donelson was delivered in Balti-
more on the 5th Of March, published in the American
Organ in Washington on tine Sth. Governor Wise :
letter is dated the 7th that Doneson preceded the
Governor. Now, gentlemen, fire away. See if you
can't kill two birds with one stone.
THE ACT FOR THE PROTECTION OF NE
GRO PROPERTY-lDLE INDIGNATION.
In obedience to their characteristic impulse the
Albany .ioncnai is sentimental and the New York
Tribune truculcnt, in their criticism on the recent
act Of Legislature for tho protection of Slave
Property" The Journal not only has sympathy for
the sorrows of the kdnapper but is tenderly touched
with the miserable condition of the Old Dominion,
which 80 eagerly hugs the arrow to her wounded
BOSOM" The Tribune, more discriminating in its
rage concentrates its ivectivc on the head of the
STAKEHOLDER, and threatens the State with The loss OF
its trade with the Northern cities
We were prepared for just such a display of mock
pity and genuine indignation in the North. The peo-
pie Of this State utterly indifferent to the camors
of abolition fanatcisn. Our legislation will not be
controlled by regard to the passions and opinions OF
| the anti slavery community.
| While, therefore, we do not condcscend to offer
apology for the acts Of our Legislature yetit ia not
improper to retalate on the abo!tionsts the charge
that they arc responsible for the law which so pro-
| vokeS their wrath.
disposition to relax the bonds of slavery and tc
concede to the negro every indulgence compatible
with his condition. prevailed through the South aud
was manifest in 4 humane supervision the part o
the dominant class that would have astonished ouI
ancestors of the last generation. The kindness o
tho master is in exact proportion TO the docility o
the slave and is limited only by conditions that are
essential to the security Of the peculiar social system
| of the South.
The immediate effect Of the agations Of the aboli.
| tonlsts was to nhsme restless and insubordlnate
temper in the slave Regard to the safety of the
white population neccssi.ated instant restriction oi
the privileges of the negro and the pressure upon
him will be pr"poroncd to the impernent interter-
ence of his false friends in the North Ii the slave
now anents the loss Of many iuduI,ences which lac
formerly enjoyed, he can impute want ot huiAani
ty to the MASTER but must accuse the selfish cruelty
Of Gcticious philanthropy that rivets the chains OF
the negro Willis it professes to desire his ireodom
Just iu the cities OF the North alarming preva
lencs Of crime multipes the force and vigilance OF
the police until in truth there is liberty than
in Paris or Vienna, in the South, we may bt
driven to expedents of rigid surveillance by tho in
subordinate temper Of our servs population.
Iu the enactment oi the law which just cxcies
such Indignation in the North, the Abolitionsts have
| q more direct and papable agency.
The penalties already imposed on kidnapping, were
sufficiently severe in the judgment OF our people,
But, somehow, kidnapping throve apace. Either the
Abooniss were insenaiblc to the nfamy Of oonlino
| inent in the Peniteniary, else they ingenouSly
coutrived to evade our laws. 1t is certain that the
| felony OF negro-steains grew to such proportions
that tho Legislature resolved at 10 abae it; aud
to that eud they enacted the law of the lae scssiOn
for the "Protection Of Negro PROPERTY
| No wretch cer felt the halter draw
| With good opinion Of the law.
| 1t is not surprising that the aboiouiss should de
nounce the act for the "Procction of Negro Proper
ty" since il exposes their backs and pockets to such
severe penalties. Yet, with much rea ,on may the
rogue the house.burn.r complain Of tho cruel
ty Of the laws against larceny and arsou The
efficiency Of the enactment is attes!ed by the la.
mentations Of the very persons whose criminal pro-
pensities it was designed to check by salutary ter
ror. So the tears of the Jonrnai AMI the inputon.
gnashing Of the Tribune please rather than distress
! us.
We do not know that the la~ for the "Protectior
Of Negro Property" was intended in any sense ~ I;
measure of retaliltion but if such WAS s purpose it
ia abundan!ly justified by the harsh enac,menty OF
Northern Legislatures, against persons partcipa,iu.
in the execution of the Fugitive Slave Inv. virgi.
nia impose penalties on kidnapping" as well as
| Massachusetts.