Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-01-20
FOR THE EyvQ UIR Err.
POIITICAI. DISOIIlSlTInNS No q

Ue"eIof Tcfecft0nS upon the c0nfdgt0n OF hu
man Sentiments, and upon the tendency
Of the American Colonization Society, to
! concentrate and to direct TO its object, the
prevailing Jaiatieal rage in farour Of eman-
l.! cipdti0n.
One fanatic, makes many-,he old adage is more
strong, but less applicable.
| The writer sincerely believes, that the prnci-
pie OF slave iabour in the United States, is in
danger; and that nothing save it, but the wis
dom, the caution, the vigilance. the concert, and
| the courage OF the owners OF slave property. lie
pretends not to anticipate the time when, nor the
manner in which, the danger may be in practi.
cal results; but his approximations of present latent
danger, arise from the following facts, amongst
others, which he thinks, prove the existence of
| the most extensive and alarming araticism in ia
your of emancipation; and from the potent influ-
ence Of the contagion Of human sentiments, more
especially in this particular The faDa,icism
In this case, probably received its first concept
and impulses from theoreiick self created socie-
ties, and is now believed be guided to its object
by the American Colonization Society. Although
the British Government has, a, all times, been ~
fa.iidious upon the subject Of slavery home that
IT has dissolved the relation of master and slave
the moment they put their feet on British ground
| in that relation; and determined, that the slave
should Instantly become free his in Bri
fish land; yet il has at all times acknowledged
the principle Of slavery, when declared by inter-
national, or municipal law; has, by ITS own acts,
! principle in her colonial establishment, and has
recently made Convention with the L.. States,
recognizing the principle of slave property, not
with snding there now exists most unprecedent-
ell rage in Great Britain for eradicatipg the prin-
eiple of slave labour altogether; and, particularly
for changing it in all her colonial establishments;
| (a)there are, at this time, in London, more self
created, theoretical, sentimental socete- than IN
any other City in the world The object of these
numerous societies, is generally said TO be, the
Improvement Of the condition Of man in some way
or other. The writer Ia not sufficiently Informed
de. ermine for himself, how for these societies
have failed. succeeded in their phiosoI.hc OBJ
je Is; whether they have produced more good
than harm. by their speculative theories in the
practical affairs of mankind; but, if he were to
form his judgment from negative facts, he should
conclude, that they have done more harm thar
good certainly not much good They have not
been able stop the increasing tide Of pauperi-m
in the country, generally. nor the increasing
tide of vice and misery in the city of London
itself. In the population 81 London, about one
million, there are 100 ono dissolu,e persons who
get their living by unlawful means; and 20 600
vasr ants, who Iise in the morning, not knowing
where to get breakfast, dinner or supper, 10 lie
down at night. In the population Of England, oil
about IL 900 900, there are about 500 060 pau
pers. These societies now indalging their
reveEies with The delicious anticipation Of exrir
pating slavery altogether, and OF beginning their
goody work with the emancipation OF the slave
in the British West Indies. Through their infiu
ence, il is believed, petitions signed by above
10000 persons, were presented TO the British Par
lament the las. year, for changing the principle OF
labour in The Indies. The British ministry
found great difficulty in getting suspension OF
this fanatical, adventurous proposition for one
year. merely on the ground, that the colonial e-
gisla,ures might be consul ed upon the subject and
after the postpone ent for that time, ob, ed b,
alorty of not more than thirty or FORTY ne
tiiions for the same object presented TO Par.
lament, with $4,000 additional signatures II
he>e sentimental societies should succee ed in their
object, and the result should be such az occurred
in s.. Domingo, what is worse, converting these
slave laborers into vagabonds. the writer will then
have no hesitation IN prnnouncing the opinion
that these philanbropic sen,imentalists will have
done harm by their false theories, and mis-
guided feelings in the practical affairs of mankind
than could be compensated for by the best efforts
to counteract it hereafter, TO be made by all the
sen linen ialists now living. The Constituent, As.
sembly OF Gnat mala, not only decieed the libera-
ton of all slaves itln its jurisdiction, but dis
solved the relation Of master and slave within that
jurisdiction, by the adoption OF the British prin-
cipIe in that respect. Bolivar, the great Libe
rator, has also, not only declared the liberation
| of all slaves within his jurisdiction, but denounc ed
the principle Of slave labour throughout the world
The independence OF the South American States,
and their absolute separation from Spain, are great
political events in the affairs Of but it is yet
perfectly pr,blemaiica, what kind OF government
will finally be established there by the diversified
motley population of that extended country The
present prospects certainly not very fatterine
TO the friends of republican Institutions Equail,
proben,atics is il, what effects will be produc
upon the condition of the other governments and
people of the world. Osc effect is certain that the
iber alton of the slaves there tend 10 weaks;
the principle OF slave lsbour elsewhere, BY con.
vertins great portion Of the human race from
supporters, to opposers Of that principle The
contagious influence OF this great weight of human
sentiment, both in G.. Britain, and s. America I.
already felt in this couDtry, particularly that DOR
ton Of IL, which comes from q. Britain The
condition Of the u 3. IL most favoraby 6lted for
the reception Of this contagion, which is always
ornamented with the appeatIon Of &" moral seDii-
meni." In abou, one h.If of the u. 3. the pin
ciple OF free labor is established which does. ard
always will, indulge spirit of hostility TO The op
posite principle Of slave lsbour. The sentimental
as well as commercial intercourse between the II
and q. Britain, Is very strong and Intimate, and
is seen in nothing vsibly than in the imita-
tive, sentim rental societies established here and
which have, far the writer knows, in srisbl,
disappointed the sansuine hopes Of their enainour-
ed projectors. The history Of the origin, The ephe.
neral existence, aod effects Of some OF hem would
be amusing; but there is no space for their inser.
ton here. The most splendid and promising OF
thess, was tie female benevolent society in New
York for the relief of The poor. IT was regularly
organiz.d-- The wr ter believes, regularly incorpn.
rated IL was dscked out with all the paraphern, T.
La Of legislative body. Ii was ornanented ,vifh
their Presidentess- their Secretary, aud all Other
officers OF the feminine gender IL had the Pres,
at its command. II levied its contributions upon
all us smsbIe female passions charity, be- ero.
lsnce love Of fame. The names OF It's officers and