Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-02-01

i,,, ,ha ntber msmhnrs ni !i!ir House arc hrl 80
situa.e,!: and | earnestly tilir'a' '''c'' ""' I
from the action they have taken.
W.. AR Sneaker, there Hrr questions ot deeper
mo,nr,,t than That relating In the m"r" sovereignty "i
Pennsylvania. This question comes I" u. win n 81,
rrrdu:ss which gives il n peculiar prominence ana
Importance. The sovereignty al our own Hin'c Is
,I,iit which is most involved in this matter. Wcharc
here Il committee, composed "t ;!r wl>rs! men prom
biv ia cur midst; wli;iI was app"rn'"'! early III u"
session. a.. tie purpose ni dcrisii- some 'ic"hS !"
prevent the carrying iii al cur slaves ay me nil'ti-
ground railroad, trnm Eastern ' Virginia. HAT com
mi;l,. have held session utter session, and are fra
minr q bill, with which they will probably snon come
before the House. Judging by the object for which
that committee WAS appointed, they VIII Prcsen' "
bill having for its object The prevention ot the escape
of slaves from Enstcrn Virginia, and VIII VI courss
ask IN, House to sustain it-and, no doubt, they VIII
d., so. The people of Western Virginia, through
their representatives, come here and ask SIMPLY L"
protect their citizens III tile maintenance W '"''
rights, uud we Eastern Nirginiams lily from the posi-
ton established by the members representing west
cu Virginia, and are asked 10 rcccIle from this posi-
ton, because, fursooth, the question Is stu before Inc
committee. | nm an Eastern man, aud l say mere,
now, that | am prepared to MAINTAIN inc rl1h's III
Western men in this, us IN all matters oil Importance
to their rights; and if any gentleman silaii 'hke upu"
himself a defence of the Scnutc's acton III inns iihl-
fer, | un prepared Ia take my position here as The
champion Of the bill Us it passed this LOUISE APP
plause.
Mr.. SlscLAlR Of Prince William said
Mr.. Speaker, | should do injustice TO tie cohs'itu-
ency whom | represent here, and disappo'ii Their tx
prctations, were | to remain silent during lhe discus
sion of subjects like the one now engaging lhc aucn-
ton of the House. | shall be brief in wiat l nave 10
SAY. We all remember, sir, what '"hSP'rea w"cn
the substitute for the original bill was presented oY
the committee, and, by suspension ut our rules, after
short and unsatisfactory debate, hastily considered,
passed, and sent to the Senate. co'opcrated then
with those who were anxious 20 obtain Il unhlillnity
of action upon this question. Immunity vi S'h"-
ment upon the general subject, on all sideS' seemed l"
prevail; and | confess could not understand precise
Is the purpose which this apparent intolerance pro.
posed to accomplish. 1t seemed To- me niw''e' aiid /
Still tlIink so. Difficulties existed i'll the minds of
Gentlemen, for whose opinions l entertain me hiE'cst
regard, in respect 10 this measure. which L believed
and still believe they sought 10 obriate, with
our ut nil ;mpairing its general efficiency 10 meet
the case which has been presented. Inc csl,c-
cial friends of the bill, however, thought II the
part of policy to press the House 10 IN ihi!h'ieu'a'o
decision of the issue. Every one, who hears Inc,
knows that, with the exception oil those WHO were III
special consultation on the subject, the Question was
brourLt To the House on tho adoption Of the substitute
of the committee without an opportunity Tor that de-
liberation aud considerable Judgment upon Inc case
which, under common circumstances ou@"t l" nave
preceded legislative action. l acqulrsccd' by my Foie
in favor OF the bill, in what | thought Ia be the gen
cral sentiment Of the House upon III c1igGiicy wflcll
hrd produced .'the occasion sudden, the danger lmmi-
neut.' and required an immediate solution. l con-
fess, sir. that at thai; time | had in NY view the other
end of this capitol: and ! ih"rshtthHt u there should
be error i'm our action, the SENATE, with rs smaller no.
DIV and ouunr;unitv Tor more deliberations, would cor
rect it. Whether lis amendment 10 the lionse bal is
such a correction, the question now before the House
does not r.quirc me 10 say. | can, however, wclisny,
sir, that for the opinion of the Srratc, rs 1t has come
10 us, | have the greatest respect; and Thai ITS tx
pressed views, whilst | hold Il seat here, will never
be lightly considered or pas-ivnately rcprchcirici by
me. Bv my vote, | stand in autngnnisrn to the Sen
n,r, il is true: but III Il question like this, l an ready
.cnusc-uolkin. Tor men" The gentleman from E.
sex fMr. G,RSErr) has moved tn lay The bill anu
on the table To awnI; the decision "i inc
Pennsylvania tribunal, TO winch, rs he states; Nr.
Parsons has repaired, 10 stand his trial ami lIiierg"
his fate. whatever it may b.; and he has withdrawn
the motion IL allow the gentleman from Augusta (Mr.
IMBoDESl to propose his amendments. The motion
has not been renewed, but | suppose II lies behind THIS
debate. have no objection to t0bling this whole sub
icct. In the view indicated by the gcntlcinan from ES'
sex, IMr. GaRSETT,) think il best uulc: the circuin.
stance. le has narratcd; but | am willing I" take any
course that will result in the adoption NJ srlc!l. measures
u the posture of our affairs demand for the protection
Of the liberties of our citizens III the prosecution %!
their indisputabic rights under the Constitution. IL
n conference is necessary. rs ] have heard Indicntcd,
in some Quarter, why let us have n conferences; anu
not sickle about parliamentary dignity aud rule I"
get Mt it as soon IA we can. Do not, SIR, excite the
public mind and give 10 it no certain result. Let not
the true issues be sinnthercd w in Jctterson's manual
md the rules nf the House, Whatever "" DO let II
be unitcdIy. If there be any question, winch, above
all others, pleads in touching tones Tor concert
and mutual sympathy, both III the Legislature anu
out of il, il is this question OF Southern Rish!s--Sthte
Rights, | should rather say; because, wherever State
rights are established, Southern rights umcrrinSiy toll
low. Let there be no criminatiul and rrcr!minati"n
between the Senate and the House Oh II subject like
this. The cnunsclS which aivIse such II course may
t- .~l ut.i.. Irt ft.V pF. rash Ini lrtII-
pitutr, and the public judgment will not approve
;hcin. There ar. NONE anon. IA VII" d" no. s;$h,iH'
;hize with Mr.. Parsons, VIII" comes To
lis ts u gentleman and Il man OF nee S"iIHc al hoiiu';
| have struggled, sir, that the sympathy | iilus 'c,t
might not lead le III passion, away from the pain
wliirh duty points "ut 1" be pursued. Inc c"isiS-
teucy which has been invoked may be fatal 10 the
nbicc; ali have in view, and | aIn frank 10 say thai /
do not consider this bill, or its oriSiIalors, 50 sacred
that the hand of reform may not touch them. AS 10
Mr.. Parsons, honorable ~ hs is, respectable as lie IT,
when he introduced his state of facts here, he pre-
scented n subject which merged his individuality III the
solemn considerations which belong To IT. lhere Is
no conference between Mr.. Parsons and this LeSlsia-
ture.
Nor do we speak alone to the county OF lamp
shire in what we do in reference In tins case. IL Is
no local concern; and against the statement that The
Senate have outraged the feelings OF Mr.. Parsons,
and offered an insult to the county of Hampshire. |
venture the belief that that body, III adapting MS
amendment. neither considered Mr.. Parsons or the
couuty of IIampshire, except so far a. he and that
cnnn,y were Interested in this matter, as n portion OF
this great State.
In conclusion, sir, | have no fears that nj c"nsti.
tu,nts will misunderstood Inc in this matter. They
well know nv views. There is no part Of the State
more true TO the South. than that from which ! come.
TLey have lonr endured the assrc,sions which have
assaulted our citizen rights, and heard too long the
doctrines which deny the equality al our States III THIS
Union. But they do dcinnnd, that when we come Ia
tho last resort, in decision uf this supreme issue, thu:
the shieid of Virginia, by the impress of your action,
may pIcnm and .luw at the great bar %; international
INDICTMENT with the radiance vi certain and unqurs-
t;nned pujitical truth. Let no one think thai, in the
main, there is a division of sentiment among our pe"-
ple. As one man, they may, NJ no distant day, be
compelled To rise in arms, and trust the settlement Of
this question to tho God Of battles. In that sud hour,
when We stand amid the broken columns and III"
crulmbiin- arches of this grel: conied"racy, every Iir-
rinian heart will beat high with that Southern patriot
-, ,rI;.h l,nls IN auhsi putial victory.