Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-07-14
%t<OssnW0 SyyDeg.
TUESDAY MoRNINe, JULY "a. le2o.

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The last Staunton Spectator contains Il Memorial
(which all Editors in Virginia are requested to pub
lish,l purporting to omaHa,e from the people of Au-
gusta, addressed to the Convention, aud claiming
the attention of that body ito the existing slavery of
negroes in our State, and to some constitutional pro-
vision for a system of emancipation"
The memorial valves an examination ofslaye,y in
the abstract, or as connected with considerations of
religion and humanity aud confines itself to view
ing the question, as one OF political ''wisdom and
safety" We are glad, as the people of Augusta
have deemed it their duty to press this moncntous
subject on the deliberations IT the Convention tia,
their memorial has discarded he appeals of a sicEly
and ofhcious philanthropy, and reframed from press
ing into its service, all arguments connected with re-
ti9lon. We are suspicious of the sincerity of the
first, and convinced of the inapplicability of the last.
Ofthe prudence or the expediency of mingling the
question ofthe gradual ahoition of slavery in Virginla,
with the other and many subjects of grave import,
which will come under the delibcration of the Con-
vention, we entertain some doubts, and we should
have preferred the motion 10 have come from another
quarter. The people of Augusta inwever, are slave
holders to a considerable extent, and have an rndoubt-
ed right to have their wishes actively represented
before the Convention. We hope our lowland bre-
S~'N'S'f 'h tAA-
occasion, which they have SO often manifested when
there was the rcnotcst allusion 10 the same subject.
But few who admit, if there can indeed be found a
single individual to deny, that slavery brings down a
curse upon the land where it exists. The possibility
of gradually abolshing it without detriment to the
rights or interests ofindividuals, and ofdevising some
scheme which while it devolves on poste-itv the OBJ
legation, makes it also their interest and points out
TO them the means tn consunruata n =, ,,-olu ..-
thy of enquiry. If llusory, it is an illusion deer to
the patriot, who secs the fairest region of the earth
scorched and ~blightei ny the curse of slavery, an,i =
people to whom have been giren the highest char
acteristics, chained down by il 10 perpetual infefiori-
W and rettoccssion. never was there, probably
never will there be again, such an opportunity of
testing the practica5ility offhis ardent hone of every
generous mind Ifwisdom can devise or experience
Suggest the means OF accomplishing It, however re-
mote the DAY of deliverance, that wisdom and eyperi-
cree are to be found in the Virginia Convention
With them at al! events, the rights of property will
be sacred, and if there is reason to fear. ,hot m.
work is ton great and hopeless, even for The wisdom
OF that body to achieve, there can be no Just grounds
for alarm in their considering the subject. Though
we have often dwclt on The thought, we should GER
tainly never have been the first to stir the subject of
- pIo w LlJh II
Convention ought TO deliberate; but as it has been
stirred. and will be pressed upon their notice, and as
Its Importance even transcends the many other i'm
portant questions destined to come under c~onsidera-
ton, we trust it will be met by the slav We hoIdinp nub-
lie, with dspassionate calmness. w trust that de-
magogues will not abuse the credulity of the logs
informed, by assuming, as they have ON more than
one occasion falsely assumed, that an extensive
scheme was on foot to annul slavery at the expepse of
private right, and inaame the passions at so critical =
moment, for the base purpose of advancing tbei, nor
sonai popularity.
1t was SAID in.hisiif time, that Mr.. Jefferson was
engaged in maturing a plan of gradual abolition. If
80, we presume that his forthcoming works w;I
present it in time for the consideration of the Con
vcntion.
From the Stanton Spectator.
TO The H)1ornOte Convention Of pirenain, TO be hei1f,
Richmond, in October, 1929.
Seeing that the People Of this Cornmonyealtb have deemed
1t necessary to reform our existing Constitution of Government
to supply its defects, and to remove a number Of evils whic6
were thought to press heavily upon the communicative the
subscribers, 'nhabtants of Augusta county, cannot but congra
taiate ourselves and the public on the selection Of so many of
our bigrly distinguished citizens for the performance of these
been for CAVITY prudence, and wisdom, we cheerfuHy accord
TO you our confidence, in the important aud arduous station q,
which you are called, and trust thar you will employ ynir
VISION am pr1'ence in that way which will rebound most to
OR common welfare.
cns'si among the people. We do not mean 10 meddle with
any OF Ucn. or To- express dv opinion on their rue1 IFS. Our
purpose is respectfully 10 call your attention to another subject
WINCH We regard as of paramount Importance; and respect,ng
WINCH u no'nIng of done we apprefeud that your other la1ors
rfust prove comparatively nugatory We ask your attention
t"'"e existing slavery 81 The pcsOe5 in our state, and 10 some
CoiiSiItuu1ndi provision tOJ > ,ysfcrr Of cuancipation
III Objected, 'niccd, That mr. proposition will give alarm ~
ohT eaStcn brethren, VINO arc slave holders on a larger scale
man we OF ,e vest ard ina they are even already alarmed
al INC anticipated power OF the west 10 impose unlimited taxes
n" WIS $ a1lts ~ property i" this later objection we answer.
uat we are ''I'in8 to see YOU provide any requisite guaranty
against az undue exercise of SUCH power, that thus the fears Of
our eastern brethren may bc qnEctcd We wish for rC,biug {
that IS Unfair To the former objection We saw that in n r.J;,,5
cal view, We esteem ,lavery an evil greater than rbe ,ggIre-,,.
~ al she DINER evils which besct u; and t,at we are Terfec,I,
wiling to bear our proportion Of the burden Of rerpoying -
We ask farther. ividt IS the evil Of any such al,r,r az az oT,
e. J'strpn 1y ,usNplv excite, IN minds unucccssarIv ;eaIoS,s
60 ipi|ei 4" Oh ,uat of The fatal catastrophe which rn,iiu,stc;v :
Z our Country, and the general deprivation IF m4i,ners
"'1ich aayeIv has already produced and is Dr,ducino, I,c-o