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

SuoJeCI
But, sir, it stands out that while the attempt
was to be made to interfere with slavery where
it existed, Abolitionism was u miserable, con-
temptible failure. And now Black Republi.
canism has only gotten a respectable number Of
supporters by backing down from all the fierce
claims of the Abolition party. In old times the
political Abolitionists always claimed to repeal
the fugitive slave law-to abolish slavery IN
the District Of Columbia, and in the United
States dock yards, &c-to interfere with the
slave trade between the States, and ultimately
to ~extinguish slavery in the States by amend,
mcnts to the Constitution of the United States.
Black Republicanism had to give up all of them
and to take its stand upon the naked isolated
question Of restricting slavery from going into
the Territories Of the United States, and until
it took that comparatively abstract position it
never could succeed in getting the support OF
the Northern people. refer to this to show
that it is at least doubtful whether we have q
right to attribute 10 the Northern people as o
luass a purpose, or desire or disposition, in any
way whatever to interfere with slavery where
il exists. | know, sir, that BY even stating
facts Us they exist befure US, | render myself
liable to the imputation Of taking sides with
Black Republicans, Of defending Black Repub-
l~icanisln but, sir, I tell you it is the part OF
HiSdom 10 know where to lind your adversary,
and he is not q true friend who ~conceals from
You the position of the enemy from whom you
are expecting an assault feel bound 10 ex.
press my opinion OH this s%utject, and | don't
believe there is that feeling among the people
Of the North, that f~anatical feeling, that is
spoken of on this floor. Why, we have been
told that this feeling is so violent that If it had
existed between ~nelghboring nations OF dliier'
ent governments, it would have long since
brought on a war. Well, it might be said, in
passing, that it is one small recommendation OF
the united Government under which We have
lived, that we have been saved from war which
re would have had il we had been two nations.
| think that may be fairly claimed Us one Of
tue small and incidental benefits OF the Union.
But we are told that this %fanatical feeling ia
so strong and that it is 30 blind that II Will So
criEce all other interests 10 accomplish It's de-
signs 1t is admitted that the interests OF the
Surtheru people are bound up in this Union,
ard that its destruction will be q heavy blow
To ali their industrial and material interests;
they arc said to be keen sighted anu lntclii-
gent people in regard to matters affecting their
i~ate,est, but we are told We have no means OF
access 10 them; that they don't rend our news
papers, don't uear our speakers, and that there
Is no way TO reach them.
But shift the scene. Dissolve the Union, uke
US into the Southern Confederacy and when we
come TO discuss the question OF tue peace oil the
border, then, very unexpectedly, the people on
the other side OF the border suddenly become
far-Sighted, active observers, and we arc assured,
that, for the sake of the interest Of commerce,
they will consent to do US justice. Forthwith
they are expected 70 change their course, 10
abandon fanaticism, and 70 overwhelm us With
CONCESSIONS If | thought that a dissolution OF
the Union-that the disruption OF this Gov
eminent, would restore all the people OF the
North and South to n just perception and con-
seriousness OF their true interests, l don't know
but I would consent TO it upon al experiment.
But, sir, what right have We to suppose that
the peace of the border will be maintained be-
tween %ianatical people on one side, and the OBJ.
lects If their %lanatical hate Oh the other, whe2o
there is no obligations Of common GoveE2'
meut and no community, wfiuleHer, Oh EiShtS,
duties or responsibilities
But it is said the reason they SJe assiling
US is, that they feel somewhat responsible Tor
the institution Of slavery. A,t Why, Sir, It's a
recognized fact that they don't feel responsible
for it in the States. They might feel RESPONSE
bic for it, if they should get thu power to
amend the Constitution. But il We get them
to agree, tat, Under no circumstances shall
they hare power over it, It would deprive them
of the sense Of responsibility as completely as
if we were two countries, like England and
France.
Mr.. HoLcoNBE-1 do not wish to interrupt
the course Of the gentleman's argument but
wish 10 say, in reference 10 Il remark OF mine
which he seems to have misunderstood. that 1t
was not intended to apply 10 the Northern PEG.
i.le. In my description Of the English peasant, |
referred to him as being blank and stOlid aud
indifferent, because he didn't have q vote, and !
did nor have reference to the Northern Tree
laborer. l made the ~allusion in reference to
10 similar class OF people in our own country;
and, as | cannot have q chance, for some time,
to have a reply TO the gentleman--which J hope
| will hsvc-I wish to correct that nlsappre-
tension now.
Mr. BALDWIN, did not misapprehend the
g%entlcman's remark. / had no reference to that.
| understand his remarks about the English
peasantry, about the English iaboring people.
used, | believe inadvertently, q word which he
applied to that subject US my Interpretation Of
" hat he had said in regard 10 The aihcuIty OF
getting at the Northern mind. He certainly
represented that il was impossible 10 get It
the Northern people, because they do rot
read our newspapers, and do not hear our
speeches. | was undertaking to make no as
sault upon the gentleman, because ne ex-
pressed that opinion, but waS merely remark
ing with what facility tnC Northern people in h.N
estimation will change their character by our
separating from them and going South.
In the one case, they are inaccessible to ar
gument, to the dictltes Of justice, reason or
common sense, and in the other, at 0nce illu-
minated So with n Hood Of light they come to
Il precipitation Of our Just relations. 1t was
in that point Of view that | was referring t.,
INC gentleman
Mr.. HoLcoMsE-I must be allowed q Iep.
ments explanation, for the gentleman eviSsnlly
misunderstood my argument and 1t is ent JUS
tice to him as we'll as myself, that | shaa!d COR
rect him. My statement was, that the 2.rjudices.
of the Northern people upon the suh:e OF slave"
ry, prejudices which | believe existed in the
minds ofthe great masses ofthe Northern people,
made them both advocates aAG witnesses in re-
ference to the facts Of slavery; TINT there were
no journals and no ora.srs whom they npw
heard Or whom they would hear, that would
correct their opinions and views upon the sub.
ject OF slavery. But that in reference to their
own interest, whether there should be war upon
the border, or whether there should be peace be-
tween the Moth aud South, they would Ger.
.aluly have information from their own jour
mails; and Wy position Was, thal even theS
journals would take conservative gr0usd.
towards the Southern people, although mt
pro slavery ground.
Mr.. BALDwIS-Well. sir, in the present oon-
ditiun Of things, what constitutes the difA0llty
about their perceiTing what is Justice TO us
and how is that difficulty to be removed by
the fact Of our going South am ut a loss
20 understand how tint will have any influence
upon tho question, ys. the gentleman evueDlly
thinks that in some mysterious way, ii we 60
South we shall get justice from Those who are
now inaccessible to all appeals for justice
Mr.. HoLcoMRE-Wc shall then have our own
Government