Wheeling compiler. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [i.e. W. Va.]) 1829-1831, 1829-07-29

} when 10 the foregoing COHS!HeI d'lO"S
added that half of our population is estlma
ted: in the political scale, at butthree MINIS
Of is actual weight. We are often up
braided by comparison OF OF our cohal'
tom With that of New York and Ohio TO
which all other States that are exempted
from the curse of slavery might we'll be ad-
ded. And with shame we feel ourselves
constrained to bow to the Illuminating com
harrison. We view our beloved state
blessed by the God of nature with Va''c
~ ofuseful and lovely capabilities unsur-
passed by those of any other country on
the globe; we view 1t not merely as station
arv. while her sister states are advancing.
but as positively declining. 1t Is Peeull-
arly the province of such statesmen as
COMPOSE your honorable body, to detect
the causes of the national calamity and
degradation, and to provide and apply the
remedy. That the causes heretofore ire
Guently assigned are the true ones, we do
not believe. If they have any effect as
possibly they may, It must be extremely
small and partial. We humbly suggest
our belief that the slavery which exists,
and which, with gigantic strides, IS gam
mo ground amongst US, Is IN truth. the
great. efficient cause of the multiplied evils
which we all deplore. We cannot con
ceive that there is any other cause suttl
ciently operative to paralIze the energies
of a people so magnanimous, TO neutralIze
the blessings of Providence included IN
the oft of land so happy in ITS soil, It's
climate. is minerals and It's waters; and to
annul the manifold advantages of our re-
publican freedom and geographical posi-
ton. If Virginia has already fallen from
her high estate aud If we have assigned
the true cause of her fall; 1t is with the ut
most anxiety that we look to the future, to
the fatal termination of the scene. rs we
value our domestic happiness, as our hearts
yearn for the prosperity of our offspring,
as we pray for the guardian care OF the Al
mighty over our country, we earnestly en-
dulre what shall be done to avert the i'm
bending RUNE The efficient cause OF our
calamities is vigorously increasing IN mag
nitude and potency, while we wake and
while we sleep. The outlets for draining
offa portion of this pestllerous population
of slaves, are fast closing against Us. In
the mean time our white people are moving
in muldtudes, to distant regions; and those
who remain seem destined to become mar
tyrs to their love of Virginia, exposed to
FOREIGN enemies, to civil feuds, and to do
nestle Instructions, without the physical
ability indispensable to their own preser-
walton. And shall we, aias reduce our
selves TO the necessity of invoking aid
from the North and the Wcstl We will
not press this APPALLING topic any any far
ther; but with intense solicitude recon-
mend it TO the serious consideration of
your honorable body. We feel assured
that in addressing men Of such enlarged
and liberal views, as we confidently ascrIbe
TO the members Of your body, 1t must be
unnecessary TO dilate farther upon this
mournfIl and most interesting subject. We
deem it prudent, too, not to push this me
mortal into create detail; and therefore
we desist, only adding our ImpoItunate
prayer that YOU may devise some consh-
tutional provision, the fruit OF which shall
be the determination, in due time OF the
slavery which threatens with destruction
all that we hold dear 81 valuable as people
al which Is respectfully submitted.
THE DECLARATION o INDEPENDENCE
The following Is extracted from the
late President JEFFERsoN's account Ofthe
circumstances attending the Declaration
Of Independence. The extract is taken
from Mr.. Us Memoirs of his Life, written
by himself and now in HE course Of pub
ication in Virginia.
1T appearing, in the course Of these
debates. that the colonies of New York,
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware,
Maryland, and South Carolina, we're not
yet maurcd for falling from the parent
stem, but that they were fast advancing
q L., -