Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-04-15

Those measures We're resisted by Virgins
as part and parcel Of the Compromise mra-
surcs OF 1850. remember that u pom thos,
measures the State Of Virginia was vcri
much divided at the :ime Of their adoption:
but since that time tho State of T.rging
has given to that adjustment and that Com
promise, in all its parts, tie sanction Of her
unanimous approval.
In 1852, there was :: Presidential election
in which two political parties came bcforl
the people Of the country, and before the
people. Of Virginia for support. Both
placed their candidates distinctly upor
what were called platforms, in each oi
which was distinct ratification and IN
dorsement Of the Compromise measures .:
1850 as final settlement Of all the qucs-
tions to which they relate; and, sir, all gen
tlemen here present, whatever may hav.
| been their political SietuS ut that tilac,
presume, were found in one or otl;er OF tho
TWO political parties which. in so!em form
gave the stamp Of their approval and ra;.-
!ication TO those measures.
Then, Sir, where. is the measure in regard
10 the institution of slavery i'll the history
Of the administration Of this Government,
in reference TO which Virginia has no; either
at the time participated actually in the
| adoption, or in the subsequent progress oi
the country and ofthc hcgovcrnmcntd distinctly :
at some time or other expressed her appro-
val; think, then, sir, that am warrant
ed in saying, rs said yesterday, that /
challenge and defy the production OF :.
single instance in the history Of this coan-
try in which the action Of the Federal Gov
crnment in regard 10 tic institution OF
slavery, has not at some time or other re-
ccivrd the direct approval Of the people Of
Virginia. ! repeat the challenge, and |
wish it borne i'll mind in the future pro-
gress Of the discussion, if any gentleman
Shall do me the honor TO notice anything
that has fallen from my lips in the course
Of this debate, | trust he will do me the
pleasure to give his special attention 10 this
challenge which now here throw dow, in
the presence Of this assembly.
Ex-Gov. WIsE-I take up the glove, sir.
Mr.. BALowr.-Whcn the glove is taken
mp, wish the gentleman to recoilect that
the battle is about 20 begin. Qaughtcr.}
Ex-Gov. W:sE--And it will be 4 long
time before it is ended. lRenewcd laugh
tcrl
Mr.. BALnwIH-I undertook yesterday,
sir, to speak of the talk that we hear O:
the degradation Of this Commonwcath-O!
the degraded condition o! Virginia 1t is 4
subject in regard 10 which admit have
some warmth Of feeling; and lind upon
reelection. that in my own estimation. aud
I fear in the estimation OF others. perhaps
used harshncss Of expression that is not
consonnnt with my own feelings or with
correct taste or good usage. regret that
have done it, and wish to disclaim any
idea Of saying anything offensive TO any
gentleman on this floor or elsewhere.
have no desire to indulge in any aspcr;ty OF
feeling
Ex-(iov WIs=--I hope my friend will
not understand me concerning what he said
that took it UP as 4 challenge; but with I
sweet smile TOOK mp that glove. ,LarSh-
| ter.l
Mr.. BALDwIN-I had no rcfeIence to iha..
Sir, have no feeling Of asperity whatever.
! admit that have deep and earnest feeling
! and conviction in regard 10 the propric:y ol
the course in which am now engaged. that
it moves every feeling Of my heart, every
energy Of my mind; but thank God tia.
am so constituted that I can tolerate the
most enlarged freedom OF opinion, and that
have no disposition whatever to carry
into the discussion any excitement wl.a;-
ever that the subject might give rise to-
But, sir, can hardly regret having used
this language, when remember that it has
given al opportunity lo the distinguished
gentleman from Albemarle,( Mr.. HoLcoMrE.) }
to como forward as he did promptly, eager
Is, gracefully, to iisclaim here in the pre-
Sencc Of this assembly, any desire or in,en-
ton to mpute to our proud and peerless
old Commonwealth anythin. Of Degrade
ton.
So much for that, Mr.. Chairman. And
now allow me to proceed TO consider
Mr.. uoLcoMBE-I hope the gentleman
will permit HE to interrupt him in order
that may put myself right. did not
yield that needed any opportunity OF dis
clamation. feel that in the most explicit
language which it is possible for man 10
employ. have directly and pointedly de-
clared tina. what had said in reference to
the Commonwealth Of Virginia was not
said in tone Of reproach, but merely OF
regret that she had lost an opportunity to
| exert her influence, and in no way involr-
ing any reflection upon the principles or the
spirit Of her people; and when interrupt
cd the gentleman it was not for the purpose
OF putting any construction upon the re-
| marks that made, but to bring to his attcn-
ton, what evidently had escaped it, my
clear, unmistakablc declaration.
Mr.. BALDwIS.-G certainly have no de-
sire to hold out the idea that any dis
| caimcr was necessary to the gentleman.
| but he cannot deprive me of the satiSiac-
ton that derive from his more spr-
chc declaration.
Mr.. TIoLcoMBr.-T have 10 desire TO de-
privc the gentleman of that satisfaction:
Mr.. BALDwIH.-Mr. Chairman, think
have brought the history Of the question
which this Convention is cl. 5ed in con-
sidcring, fuirly down to the T.. Of the cleo
ton of Lincoln. Let US see kat there Is IL
that. That election has Ls.n spoken o
bv both the distinguished gentlemen who
| have preceded me. fAicSsr-. I:A&ncIpN anu
IorcoMnE,) as an 0y"rlhrrw, or a subver-
sion Of the Constitution. by the Use OF it
own forms. do not umi,rstand them
20 sar that the mere election Of Lincoln oI
itself, would have been sufficient justin
cation Of disunion but understood then
to sav that it was an cxpcr-::vc fact which
justified dissolution, because Of the exist
ing feeling which it represented.
Sir, take issue with the gertlcme.
here. deny tina. the election of Lincoln
or OF any other man, con!d, in any just
sense, be regarded as jluSti!.t:ns disunior
or Secession in any quarter.
On the contrary. | undertake 70 cstah.
!ish here that that very election dcvorc'
upon eacS State in the South = new duty
and Il new obligation Of the highest ant
most imperative character, to stand hy th'
defences Of the Constitution and to defent
and uphold the rights Of her sister State:
under it. Sir, regard this assumption
that the election Of any man to the Prcsi
dercy can Justify disunion, as drec!
assault upon the fundamental principles o
American liberty.
What is American liberty Is it Ike
any other liberty Or is it not d;atin
guished from all b. some striking pecu
| Z -, t,,orc,, l;h,rt,- n,n-i,u,