Richmond Enquirer

FOR THE ENQUIRER.
ABOLITION SOCIETIES.

Now that the occasion which gave prominence to Abolition societies—of all factions the most threatening to the stability of our political institutions—has passed away, it would be well for every patriot in the United States, to give the subject a serious and dispassionate consideration. Whatever specious pretences to philanthropy these mischievous associations may assume, they are nothing more nor less than a political faction, taking advantage of the liberty of the press, as established by our Constitution and laws, to subvert those very institutions under which that liberty is enjoyed. They constitute one of the many evils let loose from that Pandora's Box, 'the general welfare,' which every ambitious political adventurer is ever ready to open, when his interest prompts him to make his own will the Constitution. Thence were the mouths of certain politicians and divines filled with the new nomenclature, National Republicans, National Bank, National Sins, &c., &c. Thence has the Federal Government, which was designed to be a shield to cover the whole American people from foreign aggression, been converted into a great patron of sturdy beggars, meddlers in other men's matters and merciless monopolists. Ambitious politicians, seeking their own aggrandizement, rather than the honor and glory of their country, would transform our Federal Government, beautiful and simple as it is, into a hideous and gigantic object of jealousy to some, while by others it is looked up to as a great nursing mother, and while to the great body of the people, it has become an inexplicable 'Mystery of Iniquity.' So that, what, in the days of Jeffersonian purity and simplicity, was regarded by the people with admiration and love, begins to be watched by many, not without reason, as a tyrant and oppressor. Well may this great patron of pick-pockets, (as some would make the Federal Government.) be watched by the Southern States, with an eye of jealousy and distrust. But, is it the Southern people only whose interest urges them to watch and check the nationalizing tendency of the Federal Government? Are not all the States deeply interested in the integrity of the Union? Should not all, then, guard against all consolidating tendencies: Consolidation without despotism is impracticable. The Southern people would suffer utter extermination sooner than endure despotism, or submit to any interference with their peculiar rights and interests. How, then, can any friend of the Union countenance Abolition societies, or any other associations, formed in one State, with the view of disturbing the domestic relations, or of affecting the municipal concerns of another? No State, whether Northern or Southern, will submit to any such interference with its peculiar interests; and, therefore, no State should allow her citizens to do unto others as they would not that others should do unto them. And every American, who values the Union, should frown upon the officious meddler, who, under pretence of general philanthropy, and under the broad cover of the 'general welfare,' would disunite these States, and produce civil discord and wide spread desolation. I am happy in believing that the very idea of disunion is abhorred by the great body of the American people; particularly by those of us who are bound together by the recollection of the common sufferings of our Revolutionary fathers. Brethren of the Union, let us beware of divisions, sown by emissaries from that people whose bondage was shaken off by our forefathers. Let us examine whether this Abolition movement be not a British plot against our Union? Whether jealousy of our growing power, and not the love of God, or man, in general, be not at the bottom of all this new-light philanthropy? Some few ignorant fanatics, in the States, who have consulted Thompson, Tappan, Garrison, &c., instead of searching the Scriptures, may believe it to be their duty to do all the mischief they can, in God's service. But the Woolseys of the crew are serving their King and their own vile ambition; and they will endeavor to enhance their consequence hereafter, by connecting themselves with all-important elections; and nothing short of a dissolution of the Union, or the usurpation of absolute power, will satisfy them. What other favor should such men receive from American patriots, than the deserts of a Cromwell or an Arnold? Let the sober-minded and pious portion of the American people consider whether duty does not call them to discountenance mischievous knaves, who encourage foreign associations in their schemes to subvert our Republican institutions.

When citizens of Massachusetts and some other States, would join the enemies of their country, in decrying their fellow-citizens of the Southern States, let them look at what they were themselves, before their interest prompted them, (when the thing was practicable,) to abolish slavery in their States. That they may see themselves in a true light, I will, in another communication, furnished by a friend, present a view of slavery as it existed in Massachusetts. Her race of blue-light patriots and new-light divines may affect more patriotism and piety than their pilgrim fathers, or the fathers of the Revolution. This will only aggravate the traitorous deeds that would destroy our happy country. But disclaim all intention of making Abolition a question between the Northern States and the Southern. When it shall have come to that, the Union will be immediately dissolved. No; I believe the patriotism of the Northern States will drive the traitors and their foreign instigators from all our borders; and that the time is at hand, when abolitionist and traitor will be regarded as synonymous words, by every patriot in the Union.

AN EASTERN VIRGINIAN.