Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1921-06-04
JUDGE ID. G.. RICHARDSON'S
DECLARATION


Judge ID. G. Richardson, the alb c
presiding jurist over the Hastings
Court of this city and one of the
most popular men in this munlcipai.
ity today was the orator at the cXc.'-
ciScs which took place in Hollywood
Cemetery Memorial Day. He served III
the Confederate Army and after read
ing his eloquent historical address
we felt as though the abolitioni8i
movement in Massachusetts began in
Virginia. BE that as it may, he has
searched the archives of history nna
has brought forth some very interest
ing information.
lilo is Of the opinion that under
the reserved rights of States, Virgin
in had right to scccde from the
Union. We regret that he did not pun
sue The discussion further and say
whether or not he WAS of the opinion,
that she still has that right. On that
phase OF the subject, so far us the
newspaper report of his utteranccs
is concerned, he is silent. He is quot
cd rs follows:
In support Of his ascertain that
the Southern soldier did not fight for
the perpetuation Of slavery Judge Rich
ardSon referred to the historical works
OF Muntord, recognized authority,
showing that slavery was forced upon
Virginia.. The House Of Burgcsscs re
peatcdfy protested against the impor
tation OF slaves and repeatedly pass
c'l laws to prohibit It, but all surl,
laws were vetoed by the King.
And gain:
In 1776 the first General Assembly
of Virginia enacted a law prohibiting
the Importation OF slaves, which w;ls
the first antiSlavery law enacted in
the history Of the civilized world 1t
VAS ilaGrantly violated by the ship
owning residents of the New Eng
land States. Virginia. time and time
again, made her voice heard against
slavery. The wisest and best minds in
the Commonwealth earnestly desired
to be relieved OF the incubus of slav.
cry and hundreds OF the States most
eminent sons never owned slave;
thousands OF slaves were set free
long before the voice of tho abolition
lists was heard in the North.
What Judge Richardson saws Is 4
matter OF history and while he is clio.
qucnt in his declaration concerning
the hundreds. who never owned STAY
cs, he is silent concerning the tens Of
thousands, who did own them. 1t has
been repeatedly charged that New
England's antipnthy to the slave-ho'd
ing business was because it was not
profitable. Judge Richardson makes
a further statement, which is Of more
interest and which sc"">s to embrace
the thought and wishes Of the maior:-
ty of the people of this grand old
commonwealth. He is quoted as ~.
lows.
Abiding to the conduct and teach
ing Of the Abolition party of the
North, it's thwarting OF Virginia's de-
signs in working out the gradual
emancipation OF the Negro, and the
election Of 1860 Judge Richardson
said:
I'm 1860 a sectional candidate was
elected President, whose views on the:
slavery question were well-known to
the people OF the country. It is true
that MIR. Lincoln, in his first inaugur
al address. said: I have 10 purpose,
directly or indirectly, to interfere with
the institution of slavery in the States
where it exists l believe that have
no lawful right to do SO and have
no intention to do So"
There can be no denial That ABA.
ham Lincoln was sectional candidate
for the presidency, just as Jefferson
Davis was a sectional candidate, but
his open declaration should have been
accepted at its face value. He subsc.
quently proved that he had the man.
mood and the backbone 10 carry o,u
lis prediction pledges r. wcs or.
posed absolutely to the institution NJ
slavery and had been opposed to 1t
''"lh his c"+''@. yoi.' H"'.o.. was inc
'nndamnni".' use why lcndinu aourh
in s'+,csnrn aoubtcu the .,.9yo
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