Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-06-19
THE RICHMOND ENQUIRER.
BY RITCHIR, & DUNNAvANT.
FRIDAY MORNING, JUNE 40, 1851
COMPROMISES

Republican governments are founded upon princi-
pies incapable Of perversion, without destruction
to the institutions which they support And 80 are
they incapable Of compromise without serious del'
ment. This is especially true in such government
as this, where there are hrty.ons sovereign S'a'er,
each within itself endowed with all the elements Oh
political independence, but all acknowledging aie
glance to great common cause, expressed in COD
stitution which embraces principles for the interests
and prosperity Of the WHOLE That Constitution 10
itself an embodiment Of those plan practlcai oa"n''
of liberty which are unlimited and eternal ss the sSp'
rations OF men, and as Interchangeable in essence as '
constituent elements of air or water They admit o' no
comprcmse, because they right or wrong true u
untrue either essential or pimica the interests OF
society. Aud it is disposition to compromise P''n
oiples. for the sake Of temporary triumph OF no.,'
tsry quiet that has rendered national couc' 'o
famous for scenes Of dscord, dspu'a!on ana an''p'
dal positions on the part Of men endo~eu WI" Wv
abIest inteeots and protesting conformity 10 'n'
principles Of liberty. The attitude OF tic "ou''
the subject of slavery has never oeen' III '''o
aggravated aspect, in the slightest deg eo a'
ment upon the constitutional limits betweeh ''' 49,
and the Federal Government. All we nave e'
ia that the institution of slavery shall Dc 'e.' "
decision of the people with whom it exists anu "'Ds
whom Il il proposed to be introduced. l"e 'ou.''
has always contcnded that II ID
matter, over which the General do'e'""'e''
has neither influence nor CONTROL e1ceP' " "
az to protect the States in the exercise OF 'he
mate authority over il. Aud yet PLAIN as u 'le
oipls involved, undsnisbe is the right o 'he peo
nls of all marta and portions of this Union Norm OF
South, East or West to adopt slavery OF eject ' "'
Question of its extension has been su'Jec'' VI Gun"
zromisr almost ever since its first serious n
This question involves the very essence and genius
our government 1t embraces, perhaps, III i's 'noS'
illustrative light, the boundary between State au'ho'
rity and Federal rights, also the question ol poPu
lar sovereignty. If slavery ia al inssiu'on oe'o"b
ing exclusively to the States within Wh'c" eA,''
the General Government 80 far as 1t Is sn'''eu u
control it, should act Us if ignorant o' i'S 'A''
ence. II is recognized by the CohS'''u'!'u
90 a domsstio mstter; and is not Included
within the jurisdiction OF those powers u'''
rated by the States for the turtherahoo VI
usnera rather than local interests. And being oeyoha
the male of Federal authority within the S'ates' II is
o,usy 30 in the Territories. 1t s then solicsm u"
potcs and the cardinal principles of social orgahiza
top that where there Is authority Tor ieH'saton
either for or against there s nevertheless right on
the part Of the powerless party to compromise tne
question with the party possessing exclusive control
over it. This is putting the question plainly and
truly too past and present troubles growing
ont of the slavery agitation, attest.
The great republican principle Of popular soVe'
regnty is also seriouely mpugned by the Intervention
of the Federal Government in affairs belonging solely
to the States and to the people Whether in Name or
in Texas according to the true principles promuga'
ted By the founders Of the republic, the people them
selves are sovereign and with them alone rests the
responsibility and option Of moulding the domestic
INSTITUTION, which they may adopt And as each
State in this conederacy s separate aud
every other in its own internal political regulations
the people composing that State are TO be free for the
formation Of their constitution and lave, so long as
they do not conflict with tue provisions in the COM
pact between them all. 1t il, therefore, undeniable
that no line Of densrkalion beyond which slavery
shall not 90, can be traced by The General Govern
ment without violating popular sovereignty and the
rights of the States and that all compromise' OF
principle in republican country are sources OF future
trouble if not Of eventual destruction to the country