Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-09-03

&as inenlly occupied i: urging the cons"':o'i'
OF Leading Southern men the cxpedieucy OF securing
federal legslation by which to efscuate the reha'
lion of fugitive slaves escaped to Northern States
by most of these distinguished statesmen, the scheme
vas regarded as imprac,icable. publication III o'.
ssus of yesterday shows that even Mr. Cainoun
not doubt it, impracticability. Cndauh'eo Wy '"'A
discouracing prospect, Mr.. Faulkner presented re-
soluon 10 the General Assembly, under when ii Sc
l.ct committee was appointed to investigate the
matter. Mr. Faulkner penued the report Oh Inc c"'
mttee. 1t embodies an upansweraoie argument ~
which the whole history Of the sunJect was emooueo
so ably and the debate, iu which Mr. Faulkner look
the most prominent part, was 30 conclusive, tnat 'ne
report and resolutions attached, were adopted oy
unsu;uous vote of the General Assembly. There
resolutions instructed the Senators, and requested
The Representatives of Virginia in Congress to urge
the adoption of an act, the details of which were
portrayed in the report, and are substantially the
came with those of the law afterwards enacted oy
Congress.
Mr.. Mason presented his bill and followed the test
possible to secure ts ADOPTION IN erlct ooedi'
ence TO his instructions. He is entitled 10 all Inc
merit of an honest and able man. Tor their ia'h'ul
performance, and we know that he is too rich 10
bouors and too manly in character to deare TO deac'
from the need of praiss due to deserving colaoorer
in the cause of constitutional right. Let THE South
reproduce and admit this statement OF facts, and
openly admit their entire truth, which our cotem
porary will not venture TO deny-and then We chd
lenge him to deny the admission that Charles D
Faulkner is the ORIGINATOR Oh THE FUGITIVE SLAVE
Law.
The residue of the contents of 1.-THE South's" edi
torisl admits Of summary refutaton. II the insinua
ton by which it lie attempted TO attach something
sinister to the fact that some Of our correspondent
have conceded with US in opinion ss to MIR. FAUX
usr's merits, is intended az an additional imputatoI
against that gentleman the attack is too palry AM
too prepostous for serious consideration. II mean
that We hsve been implicated in any unworthy In
trgue, lot the charge be- made openly If only doub
of The good faith of any OF our correspondents 10 In
tended lot this be avOwed and the communication
designated. In either case, open accusation can b.
encountered. Ambiguous nusndo cannot.
SO far as we are concerned, the assertions OF TIT
South" need very short notice. The attempt Il
coustrue our expression of willingness to support MIR
Lstcher, if nominated for Governor, into an implied
pledge to abstain from all present opposition to hi
nomination. is pretence too aimsy to admit OF mis-
take The assertion that We have expressed an no
just charge against Mr.. Lstcher, or in any manner
exaggerated d statement of fact with regard to hi
political record, is altogether untrue. Ga the oihe
hand, We are prepared to chow, even by ariihmetca
figures that in it's over Jealous advocacy of Mr.
Lstcher, The South has been Induced to Issue inat
curate statements prejudicia not only to Mr. Faux
ner, but to every other prominent aspirant for til
nomination. This demonstration We reserve for soo
Their leisure moment. Indeed, We teel confident tina
Mr.. Letcher cannot approve the course Of advocac,
adopted by The South" aud must especially disap
prove it's unjust and uucalled for attack on MIR
Faulkner.