Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1860-06-01

constitutional powers Of territorial governments,
But acknowledge the gratitude which every SOUTH
rrnrr owes to him for as gallant and effective service
as was ever rendered by q Northern man IN delenes
Of our constitutional rights. If his nomination could
be so made ns not 10 engage the party i'll hostility 10 Q
th. constitutional principles affirmed in the case OF
bred Scott, II minority of Southern Democrats, l ~ w
lievc, would consider his claims without PreJuu.es
and many with favor. The South, however, pe'iG =
minority in the Federal government, ana DeIag eun.
stantly exposed TO the assaults OF Ia'lhucisnn, hm
willing 10 pull down with her OWN hands any VI ~
constitutional deftnces after they have oecA cS'"o'""-
ed by tile Supreme Court. -, ,o,,, .lo,,
the ~."rcuucssce Resolution or some equivalent. IL
ourl,t 10 be chcerfullr conceded by the North illu IL
orrht IA satisfy the South. 1t is Il moderate, collsli-
t,ltionsl ground OH which to adjust unhappy. DINER,
cnccS By mutual concession. IL nus been crluciscd
as ambiguous. Almost every resolution announcing
a General principle Of moral or political right III ter!ns
q? opprouriute generality is liable 10 such earilS.-
| That platform which, by its rejection, led TO u DIS
r,,ntion of the convention was equally vague. LUIS
resolution admits of emily one inr construction, Wien
considered with reference 10 the Intending circuii-
stances. Eouching past decisions aud asserting the
equal RIGHT Of :ll citizens 10 settle i'll the territories
| witt. their property, it deries the power Oh congress
! or q Territorial government 10 destroy or lihpair Tue
RIGHTS Of property: and there is but one sensible ap"
| ~p!ication now 10 be made Of its language or its p.in-
ciples.
With regard 20 other questions which may arise ut
Baltimore, it appears premature for Inc 10 express
any opinion. 1 AIN sure that, upon every question:
;l. intelligent and patriotic gentlemen who compose
| tI. Virginia delegation will consult and determine
| with enlightened regard to all the great interests
| committed to their care. Even if l shall happen 10
diiI.r with Il majority OF them upon Sucii Iue"'' ~ ,,
| do not propose to split the vote Of The State. II II
be your pleasure To give me instruclIohs 'he9 W." ~
checrfnlly obcyed.
The seceding delegations have appointed Il meet
inr TO be held at Richmond. You have given me no
authority 10 attend it Us your representative, aiu 1
90 not recommend that such authority ge gtnnuea. =
Until We. or the sovereign State 20 wEicl we owe ~
lcciunce, shall determine that the Obligations OF te
| Union oraht no longer 10 be observed. we should, III
Difference 10 her policy and upon the plalnest inaHii'lI
of civic duty, attach ourselves to none ont f1llona
parties-such parties Us, having influence in all sec
tons, will rcspect the rights Of Virginia, and, OF the
same time, imparlially promote the welfare oil I'LL the
States in our Conteleracy. The only such party nov
in existence is tho National Democratic party; ana, i
it hr destroyed, We cannot eNPecl shch ah"'iic' i"
arise from its ruins.
1t is more faithful than any other 10 the CoiiStitl'
ton in such altuirs rs specially concern the South
but it has defended in turn all rights OF whatever
section, or State, or class OF citizens, when assnileo
through the Federal Power. Its platform is renlett
with principles adapted to the preservation and sue.
ccssfal operation Of our system OF repuhiican govern
ments. It is III established party, with adequate
strength to reprcsS WRONG and defend the right. IT.
history il het;er than any platform. 1t has beer
Identified with the most beneficial reforms and thu
most i~lIustrious events III the progress OF our gren
Republic oil Republics. Its justice, its courage, it
wisdom and its patriotism have been Otter
proved. Although now depressed in parts 0
the North, ii is mainly because the faithful De!nocra
cv there llnre surrendered power rather than aban
don the Constitution: The party still has vigorous
lie in every State and cherishes every where tn
same sentiments. traditions, aspirations and prlhcI
pies. unless one fatal EXCEPTIONS now to be declared
Whether We regard the rights Of Virginia nlone, Q
the common welfare Of the United States, We SHOULD
not rasily contribute 10 the overthrow OF sneh
Marty, Nc should min rather to extricatc it from
embarrassmcnts which sectional differences liav
prodtced, by the ,npderation, fairness and magma
nimitv OF our OWN conduct. Let us mink OF o"
duties no less than our rights.
CHARLES W. RrssELI.
Wheeling, May Is, 1860.