Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-08-21
POIIspT1ANe
From the Amyrican Farmer, Aus.7.l

llrom American Farmer, Aug. AZ
ON MANUM}SSlON OF NEGROES.
The time has arrived when this subject ought 10 be
taken up by the lie Islaure of Marylandwe feel nei-
her disposed nor qualified TO discuss it, and we shall
with the ayowal resolution not TO he drawn
Into any debate. on tho abstract question. into
cry recrmina,iGn with any who hoH opinions differing
from our own. We will unite in denouncing it with
the bii.0res, fnemy Of saveryin any torm.-exist
II may, s.iil, slavery thou arta bitter draught-but
bitter Is, Is not So deadly and poisonous
mission % to those who remain where slavery is
toned by the lawseXperience proves that there Il
condition OF humanity. which begets more wrctehed.
nets, more vice, more premature disease and mortality
dian that OF emancpatet negroes who remain without
political righs, Ia the midst OF free white population
hey embter by their presence the happiness oil those
who remain slaves. They cntice them and furnish them
facilities 80 eope, and eR forever after. miserable
life in perpetual dread OF apprehension. Nay, il is no.
otious that they often seduce the slave into criminal
Violations al The law, TO supply them with the OF
subsistence which, overcome by incidence encrvate
by drunkenness, they rarely provide for themselves In
every aspect The presence oil manumitted negroes Il
highly destructive of the morals, the happiness, and
even OF the lives OF themselves and the slaves will,
whom they associate ana are connected On the
the Of sheer humanity we'll Of policy for in this
case they are nseparable il behoves the Legislature
provide ainst the nanumiSon Of egroes tness on
esnditien Of provision 6ang made jon their ieaDing
TIE country. ltmay be said that this wonid be un-
warantable Interference with the right of property, but
does not the very institution OF pcsupposo
the power on the part oil the government establish
cd 10 interfere with the shts and disposition OF pro-
perty, with view 10 the general good, Is il the
very aim and purpose of government! For what Other
END would men surrender their natural ireedom' Ii the
legislature oil state that shall not sell bar
rel OF -four but o. particular weight and that hogs
head Of tobacco shall he OF certain il
have power TO regulate the number OF nails in hoop
snail II not have power 10 prevent under the inu.
ence Of mistaken philanthropy from enailing a moral
pestence on the community! Shall we he allowed 10
extract from any substance, alt that can be squeezed
out oil II, 10 satisfy wants and desires VIII ater
real or suInp,uary, and when longer derive
hom advantage or pleasure, be permitted to cast the
refuse mass OH the high way, there TO corrupt and pu
try. exhaling disease and death 10 all around? BE il
observed, that no, discussing the right Of slave.
ry in the abstractthat is quite another matter we alb
hor the principle but the evil is here; il exist il has
been en,aiicd upon aud it Is than folly say
that we shall not regulate, modify diminish, AMI eXr-
pate that evil, in manner most pronove of the pubic
interest and the general happiness. If would
lar forget what is due to mercy and humanity, TO
consgn number OF his fellow creatures 10 inevitable
privaon and wrotchedUess under the garb of hone
influence OF religion benevolencc arrest his hand
y tell him, mo siryou shall cherish these unfortunate
people, you shall, your eshhours do feed and coihe
hem-provide attendance aud medicine when sick and
kind Treatment at all times, compelling the M labor re
gulary and steadily for their happiness sake wei
as Tor their subsistence, but do not for profit consc
ence SAKE, turn them loose upon your neighb
work their way through drunkenness and misery and
crime, 10 the pcniten;iary and the galiows -sng
they must ever be In tho sight OF genuine liberty by
eternal sense OF real degrada,iOn.ll you would ac.
compish for them tc benefit you profess i, 10 your
wish to confer, provide lie OF sending them
Hayti or Africa, where they may become animated an;
elevated by sense OF equality and Independence
and where will be the interest Of all That all sloul,
labor and be secure in the fruits OF their indusrrywt
will not permit society and the very subjects OF yonr
price, or your philanthropy, be essential,
injured that you may be graified."
Where they emancipated by the last will and les
lament require the testator 10 make provision also fol
their transportation; aud for this purpose the Iabour
those who are grown might be appropriated for a tern
sufficient TO deiray the expense OF transporting all
But is not our purpose TO 20 into any detas-and all
we mean 10 say is, that seliinterest and humanity ak
demand that measures I've adopted 10 prevent the resi-
dence OF Tree negroes in the counry-Were we recon
nending that measures De taken 10 erguish the rae
altogether, we verify believe that after the are tn,
means most certain, and far more cruel would he L
manum them all Land leave them like the poor Indian
with the word of promise Kept TO the aud broker
TO the hope" to 70 by the road, surely though
perhaps not SO slowly, TO The same goal a ertermi
! notion.
IL would humiliatc us,if could believe il nccessa
ry here TO gnard the reader against nisconsifuc
Of our principles, so far 20 imagine chat we recognise
any right but in the State Governments TO interfere il
any manner or form in inater essentially domestic
Its one at which we hold the General Government 4
have no right even to glance ii is not in the bona
and that Is enough-neilher was il ct that il should
fferp