Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1830-12-01

their minds, lessons Of morality aud reli.
gion, which, when properly nurtured. OF
ten turn 20 q good account? Bat without
siisqsisitions or this kind. would show the
bearing Of the argument.
The ostensible object Of your CORES.
pond~nt. Was TO produce an enquiry into
the state Of the prosecuted and de eraded
blacks OF our country. and 10 awaken in
Ms spirit Of COMMUNICATION and hbcrality
towards them; in the pupc.ed resu!! Of
which. every true philanthropist would
participate. And why may not the in
stance be cited. Of the lberaii'y OF neigh
boring town. be followed in this, Surely
we are neither unable nor unwilling to
contribute TO an object Of this kind. The
advantages that would accrue 10 that un-
fortunate race. by il. would be some allie
walton OF the wrongs and njuries they
have sustained from our hands. And if
no other consideration. that Of its being
sheer justice due 10 them, should prompt
us to an act Of the kind.
Slavery Is scourge that, TO the whole
race Of mankiad. possesses more terror
Than even the must severe corporeai pun
''hment. Whea the body is once subju.
gated. all mental strength and energy
falls beneath its whitening influence, aud
all moral sensitivencss sinks into ahject
Inconsistencies; leaving tho degraded
being prey 20 the most hideous passions
that ever deformed the mind Of man
II. then. a matter OF surprise or won
der, that tho unfortunate species who
have for so long a period felt this scourge.
IN ats seserest sense. should have become
SO ahject and degraded in their mental ia =.
cuhies? And has il not been the case
All kns ..ff II
When suffering under the lash OF Turkish
and Heather barbariiy? Then would not
the result have been quite different, had
these sons Of Africa experienced the op-
Pos,te treatment from their enlightened
neighbors? And would they not, by a free
and unrc strained intercourse, in time ha We
acquired their civilized manners and ha
bitsr For We have seen, that even in bon
dage, they have become naturalized IL
them.
will not dispute the doctrine or some.
that this curse is inflicted on them by
Providence. for a wise and salutary end
I will not doubt, that
"fh' eternal art, edueing good from H.
will. perhaps. by this means effect civil
cation OF their native portion Of tho globe !:
but do believe that the time is yet very
: far Cd. before this result can be accom-
{ plIshed, unless weexert ourselves earnest
: ly 10 its behalf.
IL would be idle to dec!aim against the
Criminal laws OF the state, as ii respects
them; but the glariug truth, OF their un
necessary severity, 10 not the less unden-
able II would DO sophistry TO contend,
that were the laws moro lenient, the oc
currence oil crime would be more frequent /;
In
citation, that where moderation has been
used. il has had much more effect in re-
claiming the most depraved amongst US.
But admitting the argument, :. that icuo-
, rance and dcpravity are only to be re-
strained by fear" the balance is still a
gainst US Are NC not the cause of this
ignorance and jepravity? Let the rca
soning man PROFOUND this question to
himself The fact is uncomfortable, that
while we restrain them from the commits
. sion Of crime with fear, we at tho same
time, In q moral point Of view, drag then
TO the very commission OF il. by keeping
them IN the darkness Of error and irno.
rance All agree that il would be DANCE
rous at this day 10 enlighten them, and
, that a virtue must be made Of necessi-
, ty" This danger is net 10 be disputed /;
+ but the suggestion OF your correspondent
! appears to be proper method Of oderin z
a plan OF amelioration, without the threat.
ened danger. His argument, that lin
struction from one OF their own race would
have more influence in retaining their
: depra'ity. and awakening moral sensibili
~ IN their minds, than one Of our own
ministers" is indisputable We all wish
TO see This effected. Then Why not adopt
| the plan IL would saw. US 10 this world.
and hereafter. tho imputsiion Of their
guilt. and avert The curse Of the moral
law.
Surprising their understandings were
only enlightened 10 the truths Of religion
and morality. as your correspondent sug
gests, vice and crime would be less com
mon: and less rigor Of the laws would be
required 10 restrain them. And when the
benevolent plans Of the Emancipation So.
lciety shall have been brought 10 maturity.
the benefit that would result from IL, would
fully demonsirate its utility; and az the
same time, the very letter Of true philan.
thropy would be accomplished. which,
from beginning the work OF charity al
home" would expand and efIectually en-
brace the whole human system.
! u 10 10 be hoped that an object so i'm.
Portant. viii not bc suffered 70 drop, with.
out an effort Of the friends DESTROYS Of its
promotion, 10 support IT, And when the
obstacles are overcome, that their efforts
may be crowned with success, IL the ar.
dent wish Of PR0METIlEUS.
SCIIOnI ntS.rUtCI.S