Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-01-16
the equal lights of all, shc is driving them from will,
in her limits. She has been compelled to take This

CIRCUMSTANCES are not known that is not warranted
by the facts And the important conclusions which
are drawn from it, affecting not cny the character
OF the State of Ohio but subject in which the rights
OF humanity, and the prosperity of our country are
deeply involved, demand that it should be corrected
And taking it for granted, that the DISTINGUISHED
individual, who has fallen into mistake tbroIu the
erroneous manner in which the report of the case
reached him, would be extremely unwilling that any
Impressions should he made the public mind,
which the facts do not warrant trust it will not be
regarded as any departure from decorum in me- to
adopt this mode of bringing to his notice. and to that
OF the public. some circumstances which conceive
ought to be embraced III q history of the case.
Having myself recently been in ihc city of Cincin-
natl endcuvored to make myself well acquainted
with this subject possible. And through, sources
which believed entitled TO credit, learned n num-
her of particulars, which give tie expulsion of the
people or color from that place, very nffectpr cha
racter.
Many years ago the Legislature of Ohio passed a
law, to check the emigration of the African descen-
dantS. That act provides that persons of color.
emlg rating to the State of Ohio, shall give bond with
security for their maintenance and good behavior:
and nhcts heavy penalty those who shall employ
such persons without their having complied with the
requsilions OF the law will not be positive of the
date OF this statute, the motives which dictated it,
But my impression is. that it passed to counteract
the policy OF Virginia. in the which she had
previously taen thrast out her free colored popu
laion OH her sister States And it must be admitted
that this policy of Virginia cannot be defended on
principles of moral right either regards its opera
ton on the other States of the Union or OH the Af-
can descendants.
That it cructto the people of color, will need
no arguments to prove when it was plainly an act of
punishment, for the qenee of acquiring right to be
ree But her apology for this act of oppression, is,
that these people in state of DEGRADATION But
suppose we admit t-by what means, it NAV be
asked, did they become degraded? Plainly-by the
policy Of Virginia. Then she first desrades them,
and afterwards Furnishes them for being degraded!
She Furnishes them for her crime and not theirs,
But passing by this shocking fact, and still admit
ting, merely for the sake of argument that these
people are nusance-,on whom ask, has she n
right to impose that nuisance? Are the free states
receive her outcasts from society," when her pulley
Is continually creating new and increasing SUPPLY
| If she is determined to pursue such course every
principle OF justice demands that she should keep it's eff
tects within her own limits. But surely it must be
establishment to future generation it is not
to the present, that the enlightened state of Virginia
should assume the fact that her measures have de-
graded whole class of men, and then, merely on
that assumption, should punish them, without their
being convicted Of any offence, except the tence OF
| bcin free!
But whatever were the reasons for the law of Ohio
1t is certain that the pubic feeling, respected its
operation on the people of color, did not call for
at the time of it's passage 1t was considered both
inhuman and unconstitutional And thus it remained
dead letter till few months ago. II was then that
three individuals, in Cincinnati In the Office of town.
ship trustees revived t by public notice, which
CURED the people Of color comply with its provi-
sions or leave the place in limited time Il think it
was thirty days) When recently in that place,
assured that the respectable part of the citizens
did not call for the measure. But was informed
that the ioDest class of the whites did call for it. That
this the case, receives further confirmation from
the fact, that then raised mob to enforce the order
of the trustees.
! To enter into minute detail Of the various tran
sactions in connexion with this extraordinary pro-
ceeding of the trustees, would carry me far beyond
the limits to which am confined. NV present OBJ
iect is show, that the facts will not warrant the
conclusion chat they represent the general feeling
which prevails in the state Of Ohio The existence
of the law, taken in connexion with it's non-execu-
ton for many years, may be regarded as indicating
feeling of resentment against the policy of Virginia
and feeling of cOmaisseraon towards the unhappy
victims Of that policy. But surely the proceedings
of the three township trustees of Cincinnati m reviv-
ing the law, and OF the mob In endeavorng enforce
it, ought not to be considered the of the state
nor as representing its feeling towards much injured
part of the peeP& Of the United States. Had every
individual in the township concurred in the measure
it would have been merely the act of the township and
not of the state But when t is understood that the
measure was called for by the intelligent part of
the to,cnsip and that those ardent in it, consti-
tuted materials for mob, it surely ought not to be
held up to view characterising even the townshp
itself But it should be regarded unhappy cir
cumstance, developing In Its progress the genuine e
fects Of an unjust and cruel policy.
That there some worthless characters among
the coored population in Ohio is true. But where i
the country upon the face Of the whole earth where
there white people at all, in which it may not be
said that there worthless characters among
81 the whites? And are we to prescribe a whole race
of mankind on such grounds these, 1t is the OBJ
ect of all civil governments to protect the innocent
well to restrain the turbulent and punish the
guilty. And it is plainly violation of moral order
ms well mmutatlc Justice, to punish the description
of persons (tiro nnocent,i which ought TO be pro-
tected.
:, In the state OF Ohio the most intelligent and mos
influential part of the citizens treat the people Of
lor, not only with kindness but with >cspcct propor
toned o their moral worth And many ftfrsc, un
der such policy acquiring property aud rcputa
ton. | speak this from a kno,otedge If me f,ct.
There were, it is said, considerable Number of this
description il Cincinnati at the time the order OF tIe
Trustees was issued. They received the notice will
keen sense Of the iodIgnty and injustice that was
offered to them: and Immediately sent depufutior
to Canada procure tract of land on which tn form
a settlement, under the protection of The British Go
vornment Is there citizen of the United State,
who can reflect this procedure. and not blush fo
the disgrace If his country l. there individual
capable of reflection. who does not the npolcl