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


the slaves in the u S. particularly in Virginia, are
better fed better clothed and enjoy more real hap
piness than the labouring class in any OF the go
vernments of Europe. That as the native African |
character. has been improved in the persons OF their
descendants who have been reared among US, AZ mas
been the policy of the Virginans, as 1t WILDE OF
the citizens Of all other states similarly situated, to
adopt mder means for their government. Hence,
the great and increasing ameloration OF the laws Oh
Virginia upon this subject. They believe as phi
lanthrcpists too, that the sum OF human happiness
consists in small matters, and that FAR as the in
dvdua happiness of the negroes is concerned there
is much reason TO believe, that were they success
fully planted in your African Colony, their condi-
ton would not be bettered. In the indulgence OF
this opinion they cannot overlook the fact that the
greatest risk OF life in all cases be incurred In
a removal from the healthy climate Of the U. b OF
| any native to the coast Of Africa. II Is known
too, that when your Colony shall have swelled
little more in population, (f it ever should will
not be competent for your charitable board Mt
Washington, consisting of IL managers and resi-
dent Agent, at the distance of 5000 miles, with the
Atlantic rolling between you, TO manage such
population by any means within your controul; and
that the consequence will be, the establishment OF
| an independent government for themselves And
what would be in such event, the form OF their
civil polity. let the history of the world inform you
II The French people claiming TO be the most refined
| nation in Europe, at the commencement OF their
Revolution, had too recently emerged from con-
dtion of political slavery, to be able TO sustain
republican form of government in their country, can
it be doubted that any thing short Of hish-handed
military despotis,n, would be adequate to curb the
insubordnate and dssolute population OF Colony,
| made up of emancipaed slaves?
Many wise and vrtuous men there are too, who
doubt the success Of your enterprise, in civiizng
the nations of Africa. If the history of the world
be appealed to upon this subject, presume it would
admonish you Of the fact, that wherever the settle
ments of civilized have obtained, the native
inhabitants Of the woods have always receded.-
Without adducing other examples, witness the re-
suit of the European settlements in America; and
the British settlements in the East Indies. Witness
the daily operation of things upon our own Western
Frontier where every exertion OF liberal and humane
policy, has been unable arrest this natural course
of events. If the same immutable laws OF nature
should still obtain what will the poor degraded and
savage inhabitants Of Africa have gained by your
exerlons? Nothing but determination.
But, il is furthermore said by your votaries, that
the existence of African slavery among us is not
compatible with the free character OF our republic
institutions; but has also tendency to demora
lize their In regard 10 the first part OF the
objection, may very truly be said, 10 be an objec
ton, consisting in terms and in sound, than IN
any evil influence which it exerts in the govern
ment And for the truth of the remark, allow me
to appeal TO facts with which most of US fam-
liar. In what portion OF the Union will you ind
| a more independent high spirited, people; jealous
of their civil and religious rights ever prompt and
ready TO expose the abuses OF government than the
| people of the South And without meaning to
press nvidious comparisons between different parts
of the Union, farther than the task has been impos
ed upon me, allow me to ask, in what section OF
the u. S. isif that most frequently hear the ap
pcation and of those servile terms of address:
&c The Honorable Mr.. member of Congress,
&c. &C. g His Excellency the Governor, sc.
sc. &C. and all the other terms of courtly dis
tinction! Not in Virginia. the Southern States
TO the ridiculous extent, to which they obtain
In the North am II is in the non-slave hold
ing states where these and other marks OF disinc-
ton most frequently to be met with. Look
TO your Federal Government and at all times,
heretofore, for men of liberal sentiments upon the
subject or civil liberty, and I prosume the South
will have occasion to decline comparison with
the North. Is there no instruction too upon this
subject, TO be derived from the history of two of
the freest states in ancient times? Look to the
Republics of Rome Lacedemon in both of which
during the proudest days of their freedom, private
slavery was tolerated. And permit me in conclu-
sion upon this branch of the subject to assure you,
that in all civilized countries which have yet
existed there have been, and always must be, abour
ing class. There must be Z" hewers of wood, and
bearers of water And if there be not particular
description of persons, in the Southern States,
ny WHOM tIOSe uuteS are 10 De performed, tDey
must be drawn from the great bulk ofthe population
of the country; the result of which is well known
both in Europe and in the non-slave holding states
of America.
Those WHO perform these mental duties, in their
intercourse with their employers, are almost 5
vile as the Southern Slave; and while they adj
iritted, by the forms of their Government, to an
equality of civil rights form separate and distinct
class from their wealthy employers. This state of
things direct tendency produce n real
tocracy in Society, founded upon the possession of
wealth, the most odious of all distinctions Hence,
may safely be affirmed, that whatev may be the
fact in regard 10 the whole population of state,
including both black and white; yet, it respects
the white population, slavery has natural tenden-
cy to produce greater degree ofeguality, than ex
lists in Safes where Slavery is unknown.
would here gladly close this communication,
and leave the consideration OF The evils which
must inevitably flow from the public discussion of
such topics TO your reflections; hut am adj
monised by past experience, that ect reflection
upon this subject, is slow in coming; and, perhaps,
may only come after tie horrors winch deprecate
shall actually have orertaken the country. Par
don hen, Gentlemen, when | tell you that you
have embarked in crusade, more hopeless than
that which engaged the forces OF all Chstendom,
without success for nearly two centuries. The |
God OF Nature has xe1 his seal upon destiny; and
all the feeble efforts of man, in opposition to its
laws, VIII Oly serve TO swell the list OF human
miserIes. Prompted by the goadings of blind ia |
naicism, which seems already TO have placed itself |
IN close alliance with YOU this, which is sheer
political question, may be tortured into theme for
pulpit defamation Once let it obtain place there
and the Christian religion which has so many claims
upon the favourable consideration of the world,
and which has heretofore sustained itself in our
happy land, regardless of political agitations, will
be made the medium Of one of the seveIest scourges
IN 10 81 flruntv IN. he
rejecting part of msSlnd, that more or less Of IA
naticsm is certain 70 attach itself 70 every political