Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-08-06
AUGUST 6, 1858.

the Constitution fulls The intent and Object of tha
instrument, in a6ording an adequate remedy Tor th'
re capture of slaves sbsconding from this State into
the eavehoding States of this confederacyi and
il found inadequate in its PROVISIONS to suggest such
relief the urgency OF the requires, and also tht
mode in which the rights of the ciizene Of this State.
and of the other saveholding States Of the Union,
sha be brought the attention of the Congress Of
the United States.'
Still trusting mainly to bis own exertons, Dir.
Faulkner penned the report Of the select committee.
The ability with which this work was accomplished is
now matter of record among the most valuable ar
chives of Virginia. Employing the report TO exhaust
the whole constitutional and historical discussion OF
the subject, Mr.. Faulkner followed up his object with
stirring appeal to the General Assembly, which Sc.
cured the unanimous adoption OF the following reso
tions, together with the entire report:
H. That the Senators and Repl esentatves Of this
State in the Congress of the United States, be re.
quesed to their earnest and psrseveriDg efforts,
TO have the passed the 10Th February, 1888 20
amended more effectually to secure to ths slave
owners 10 the South the rights guaranteed to them by
The I'd clause, I'd section aud 4th article of the Con
stitution of the United States.
&. e,
and he lie hereby requested 10 forward to each of
Senators and Representatives in the Congress OF the
United States, and also to tbs Governors of the
raj States of the Union, copy Of this report and
solutions"
II was under these instructions. that Dir. Mason Of
fersd the fugitive slave bill 10 1850, and thus ident
fed his name with the measure. Mr. Mason deserves
all the credit due to efficient public servant
for able and we'll timed Efforts in behalf of the rights
of bis State acting under her instructions. But
impartial record points out Charles j. Faulkner a.
the real author of the law who conceived the plan OF
its adoption, and, step by step, surmounted the moet
serious obstacles in the way Of its foa enactment.
10 l849 Mr.. Faulkner heartily and effectively sup
ported the we'll known resolutions, which declared il
proper at all hazards and to the last extremity, 10
resist the passage, by Congress, of the Wlmot Pro-
viso or any law hboshing slavery in the District Of
Columbia" and advising an immediate consultation
az to the proper means OF redress in case Congress
should proceed to such unauthorized ensctment.-
The prominent part which MIR. Faulkner took in the
debate these resolutions, afforded opportunity for
another full exposition OF his sentiments the slave
ry question.
we are oDIlReo ~ ue edlIeueu Win
recital of Mr.. Faulkner's record. His subsequent
agency in. securing the phesags of the Kansas s-Ne-
brasks bill his marked efforts in 1855, for The cup
preston Of secret political organization, which he
regarded as especially inimica to the interests OF
slavery, and his vigorous assaults on Black Repub-
csnism in 1885, furnish abundant material for conn-
usd dissertation, upon which ihe narrow mits OF en-
editorial article do not permit us 10 enlarge.
But We have rscited more than enough to reiu'e
every imputation which opposition papers may al
tempt to cast on Mr.. Fsulkner's loyslty-more than
enough TO iustify bis having, on the occasion OF
late spontaneous tribute Of respect, offered by his
constituents In Clarke county, challenged comps-
rison Of his congressional record upon all matters OF
Southern rights and interests with that of any man
from the South"-more than enough to command for
him the confidence and gratitude of the people OF
Virginia.