Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-08-26

prudent, Dat complete emonetPotson OF thoSe now
held in slavery, that can regard the society as
having any claim upon the sympathy or assistance
of the people of New England" Here then,
presume the measure of proof must he considered
by all as complete. And is it. in reality one Of the
objects of your Society 10 effect the emancipation
of the slaves of the South? Pause, beseech you,
and reflect for moment on the magnitude and de-
sign of this subject, Dvest yourselves, il you can,
OF every feeling of fanaticism and regard this as a
sheer political question. No matter how slow,
how gradual, or how insidious may be your move
ments to the attainment OF such an osject, be as
sured you can never he successful. In your efforts
you may be able to cherish in the country feeling
intimately connected with that sectional jealousy
which has already began to rear its Gorgon front IN
The Federal Councils. You may be able to excite
in the bosoms of the Southern slaves, spirit OF
discomfort and INSTRUMENTATION, which. while VIII
endanger the happiness of the farest portion oil the
Union, will only serve TO draw closer the bonds Oh
slavery; and to realizes great and signal example
OF the folly OF seeking after unattainaoie periec
ton.
But let us supp. for moment the feelings which
naturally arise upon the contemplation OF such an
enterprise, and examine attentively the means by
which it is proposed 10 effect it. And as lar as
have been informed, only two modes have been
suggested; the one is by great moral influence
which is to be exerted over the opinions ana ieei-
ings of the South, and the other by means OF the
same moral principle, with the " aid and counte-
nance of the National Government" We Will
then briefly consider the prospect oil success likely
to attend both operations. First, as 10 the moral
principle alone. And TO render this successful,
YOU must convince the Amer. people that you will
be able to establish your proposed Colony by means
of charity only. I'd. II charity itself shsud not be
adequate to such an object, then that the Federal
Government has the Constitutional right either to
do deeds of charity for you, or TO establish and
keep tp a permanent Colony of free negroes
on the Coast of Africa: Or lin the Sd place, that 1t
is good policy on the part OF our government, to
take this Colony in the Federal Union and make it
an integral part thereof. 4,h. To induce the peo-
pie of the u S. voluntarily and for charity sake,
to surrender one million and half of slaves. 5th
To overcome the Individual habits, pride and pre-
JUDGES of Il states. And finally, after all this is
effected, to be able prevail on, by proper induce
ments, this million and half of slaves, made free
men, voluntarily to quit the country: and also, TO
perpetuate 10 them and their poserity republi-
can form OF government for the Colony after it
falls into their hands: not 10 secure them this
blessing, would be but exchange of masters, and
that OF a white master for black one. Without
enumeratng other difficulties, l submit it to the
calm and rejecting part of my counuymen, to de-
termine upon the probability OF so successfully
erting any moral principle, to- overcome all the
great difficulties which have stated. Already
think has 1t been shewn in my former ccmniunica-
nicaiion, that charity alone cannot successfully
plant your Colony; and also, that the aid which
you invoke from the Z" National Government in
planting the Colony cannot in any form be consti-
afforded you. But suppose for 4 mo-
ment that have been wrong in all my previous
opinions and reasoning upon the Constitutional
powers OF the Federal Government, also: as 10 the
extent to which charity be successful and that
your Colony at Liberia is now at maturity and a
bleto sustain itself without foreign aid. Yet in
relation to the emd',cipoting part of your scheme
the great difficulty still exists How are you to
invert the order of human nature, and to render
that ruling passion, sell! interest, and the love of
wealth wholly imperative To secure the vol
Intary surrender of three hundred millions of dol
ars; which is the estimated value of 100000
slaves at $500 each, If mistake not, there is
lot principle OF human conduct that with so
much safety be counted On in the enaction oflaws.
Or the adoption Of any scheme Of policy, self-in-
crest and the love OF property. Do not these at
ribut-s of the human character Of themselves,
seem 10 present an insuperable difficulty to the at
ainment of your wishes, But even this obstacle,
IS formidable as it certainly is, offers not hun
lredh part of tie difficulties you will have to
counter in your attempt TO revolu,ionize the whole
character and habits of the people of the South.
Habits which have so long and generally
obtained as TO have become almost incorporated
With our very existence. Even our bodies az well
IS minds have been moulded under the influence
IF this principle of labour among us; and that
which was first habit has become constitutional.
Added to all these considerations, there is peculi
rity In the love which most masters entertain for
heir slaves, that does not apply TO any other spe-
lies of property Few OF US who own slaves at
Ill that have rot among them some which were
he gift OF our fathers, who have been raised with
Is from infancy to manhood, and shared with us in
vi the Fastimes and amuscments of youth; receiv-
ng from us good fellowship al that age, and share
81 every little delicacy that parental kindness
'ould lavish upon US. Some. too, there are among
hem who may have watched over our childhood
nurses, and laugh, 10 indulge feeling OF kind
ness towards them, that time or circumstances
'an ever eradicate. To all these considerations,
90, may be superadded the peculiar cast of charac-
er in the south, which the ownership OF slaves has
certainly had great tendency to produce. Proud,
high spirited and independent, the love oflreedom,
md jealousy of any invasion of their rights, Ell
her indiv ilually politically have ever ! think,
'een distinguishing attributes of the Virginia and
southern character Over such population with
Ich habits, feelings and interests. what moral
principle. short of miracle ITSELF could work the
ies;rc,l change? None | am which obtains in
he management OF human affairs Let us then, see
% shat manner the " counte nance and aid of the
National Government in cooperation with this
principle is 10 be exeried. We have already seen
that under the constitution, the Federal Government
has no right to hold permanent cOlonY, or to
10 general deeds of charity. But supposing your
colony to be established without it,; has it then
right 10 take any steps either directly indirect-
) TO aid sou in the emancipation of The Southern
laves: Need refer you to the I'd section of the
ST article OF the Federal Constitution by which it
declared, that Representatives md direct tax
-, shall nc appor,ioned among tie several states
which may be included in this Union, according to
heir respective numbers which shall be determined
- adding TO the whole number Of free persons, in
'luding those bound To service for term OF years
md excluding Indians three-ffths OF all other per-
'ons"! Without reerringto other portions of the
InsirI-Icni In h.1L