Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-05-01
RIoHHIoND, NmAY
FOR iHF EyN'Q UjRER.
To the .4ufhor Of Political DisQuis,tiVns, No. 8

and that IT NUT be mani ained at any hazard. !
Who could have Imagined that enlightened DO
ii'ician could now be found. seriously undertaking
10 defend slavery on principles! Bus, in jhs, you |
are too late by at least two generations II tn. |
" lang syne" and reiterated complaints and dec!a.
ra'ions OF the coll ected ,Isdom and in, Negligence
OF Virginia, had not previously decided the inius-
tee as well as impollcy o! slavery fifty years
ago, when that august assemblsge of worthless
VINO have since gone to their re,l smids the
tears OF their country and the admiration OF the
world, declared these United State ice aud in
dependent then nigh, IT have been exclaimed
with greater pfescience and with equal truth the
principle oil slave labour IS in danger ard those
political - fsnatics' who then brosched the
wild theoretical iances'' OF equal rights might
have received your ~naihenas it'll az much pro
pficiy as they are now hesPel upon your friends
the MeiioratOrs
In country which boasts of being the birth
place Of rational freedom, and globes in sending
i'tlh the mighty blessing 10 surrounding nations II
Is hunl!!atng enoosh to be compelled, how ev er
unwnsly and through the injustice of Others to
eAaibi; practical anomaly our political prin-
cires and institutions; but what shall we say,
now that the civilized world is awaking TO a use
OF the mpolicy and s. OF slavery, when we hear
GEaveiy asserted, Ia the very cradle of librriy
thai he principle is to be main, siued to the las,
extremity?
But II 10 possible tia, your meaning is missp-
pretended, and would fam snppose that It J.. not
the princple but The right and privilege Of EN-
ploJing slave labour, Tor which you wocld con
TEND. There l. NO controversy between u, on this
| roiat. In Common with every Visainian would
! oppose any interference in ouI domestic concerns
0i social nights, and IA that respect ] would vii.
hngy adop, Ike jatlei motto laissez nous fare
not, however, intending thereby that nothing
should oe done. Bat what is ,he ground of ap
profession: Where Is the evidence OF disregard
TO our risas and peace, or OF disposition or the
part OF the friends ei colonization Ia effect any
measure beyond Tie score OF fair argurncnt and
persuasion! Where any hing to compare with
the harsh language you laduse in towards the
subjects OF your d-rlessuIe? And lille you
clam and exercise, freely the privilege Of Civ.
Ing your opi-ions, will you d-Hy the same to
those whom you oppose! But thee TO eyi
dence OF he danger you affect o arpreh-nd, and
ali Jour excitement thIs head as idle "a our
ntIcipaied cell defend domiciles by force
and arms. a. IS = tin quoe the abolition So
Getty OF Great Britain; the Missouri question or
| Nj. King famous resolutions; these NAV cyince a
desire TO slavery le-ssned abolished bur they
d" not iurn-l single proof =; intention or Gispo
sion 70 modest IL tine exercise oil ouI envianie
privilege. Ia the heat o. controversy or debate
individuals may eviDce intolerance, bu, II is only
mind asi;ated by suspicion or Gear, that would
iicit, the!erom any concert disposition Oh the
par OF society community to interfere with
us IN regard 10 slaves.
There Is, however, another source of appre-
henson OF which We canao. be nsensble, and ]
can readily believe thai l. excites all your unca
siness. Tie progress OF public sentiment among
ourselves, is such may well alarm The pertina-
] cors adherents TO The practice Of slavery
For many years hat have regarded this sub
ject with interest, have perceived one general
growing sentiment upon 1t; depreciation of
slavery, strong sense OF III dIsadvan ages and
ff..... Il. ID.
ii Tree black su,oDg Whatever OF CONTRARY
opinions may, OF late, have been elected by the
sgri' OF opposition, you must know that those a.
Dove stated are generally prevalent, and often ex
pressed in groans md -shs, mot loud but deep"
Is II not apparent, also, tina, much j, our trac-
lice at Variance with principles imbibed from and
strengthened by ali cur social and civil RELATIONS
That ,t:s iee:ing Of DISSATISFACTION a,s; inevitably
Increase and Srot' 20 some decisive result
These and similar Considerations | conre,v.
should recommend 10 every Souihron the Amer.
can COLONIZATION Society. AMI induce them IN
give efficiency its operations; fos if any course
can reserve from The nseg .snces aotcipst-
ed icem persev ersnce ia the present s.stein on
The one hand, the certain progress of public o. I
pDion on tire Other, II IS The course proposed hy
that Society. Wisely and steadily pursued, II i |
more likely than any other yet DEVISED 10 h 10 Al
ltv'ate our own conGition and TO prevent excite |
men' IN The minds OF others That So ie;y was |
originated, aud has ever been controlled and d. !
re.;ej chiefly by gentlemen of our own and a |
Deigbbourins STATE; themselves slaye-huids,s /
having all their feelings and interests in unison |
with ours, they are OF such standing as sbouId |
secure them iron unioundcd aspefsioas or suspi-
cioDs.
These" commissioning scbemers" know much |
by experience, OF our actual condition and hat OF
-iiyes; their plan is the result OF mature and
anxious deliberations, and wisely is it adapted to
our circumstances--to alleviate, if not remove the
evils tba surround us, s. in mode 8, hich while !,
seems the only one practicable dy esed Of all en-
erciOn or coDstraini, leaving every one 20 act freely
and wlihou; interfering IN hi. neighbours night.
or comforts It's not a slight accommodation 20
the plan that 1t incidentally opens a !oor of relief
to those who for conscience sake O from ,,bs;
ever considerations, desire to emancpate tbe,,
slaves, but who have of late years been de,erret
by the operation OF laws dictated indeed by a ne.
cessafy policy, but essentially restricting the rgh..
OF citizens.
There IS enc character, trust not a common
one, whose opinion little 10 conci!iato; vet
even 70 him, Will say, tie plan OF the American
Colonzs ion Society should recommend self IN
strong terms. The nveterae slave holder him
sell nigh; SECURE his selfish ends IN prono,
Ing 'he views of this Socisty, MT only as il frees
US rom an offensive part Of our population, bu,
also IRON the fact that far ~ u progresses In
reducing be number Of our slaves, By lacinatne
emancipation, IN the saiBe proportion does IL rem
dei his slaves more valuable; since there is no
proposition undenisbe, than that the scarci'y
Of commodity enhances les value
should blush to use such an sTgutneni A. tn.
@ith philsntbropis'; but the defison rith which
you treat the Benevolent societies and en- erprzes
Of our dty, seems 10 indicate that SUCH or Sfnilsr