Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-02-16

on him at the Forum, discussing SOM, question o
meum ct tuum,' emitting the bright flashes of lis
tor-the Individual who thus witnessing the effects
OF his genius does not award to him the highest en-
lncnce in the intellectual world, will have forfeited
all Claims 10 discernnent, talent for Discrimination
But ID readng this speech of MIR. Clay, along with
much other valuable information which it conveys
arr taught the sad and monitory lesson, that man
whatever may be his superior sttaiuments, has yet
reached that St te of perfection, which would claim
for him exemption from error ITO err is the lot OF
humanity, and error of opinion, with consequent
error of action, is destiny which attends the wsest
alike with the simplest of mankind.
! The part of Mr. Clays speech which superinduced
this remark, is that in which Speeding of free Iabour
and slave labour, he, IN such confident terms gives
preference to the former. He the following
at an equal ire, free, or slave labour the former
Will be decidedly preferred, for the reasons already
assigned. 1t is niorc capable, more diligcnt more
faithful, and in every respect, worthy OF moro conf
dcnce." Several years ago, when student at Col
ege, heard my preceptor, Dr. Smith, the late learn
cd Professor Of Political Economy iii William and
Mary advance i'll his professional capacity, the same
sentiment, only carried to much Objectionable
extent. C said he considered free labour, not only
preferable to slave labour but productive of greater
proht to the employer, when procured at reasonable
hre, thnn slave labour, when rendered gratuouslv
For says he the slave having no interest in the pro-
hs arising from his labour, is dead to that stimulus
which prompts him to eXertion-hc consequently
nds 1t To his interest, TO lahour little as possible
Moreover, The Inducements which he has practice
economy I'll his maintenance That devoIvnr on his
mastery he has no restraints imposed on him from
running into all the extremes of prodgality and waste
fulness. This waste, contended President Smith when
added to the extra labour rendered by the freeman
would more than compensate tie EMPLOYER for a
moderate hire.
was much impressed with the reasoning of Dr.
smith, and thought it both plausible and probable-l
au no means OF testing its correctness at that time,
but determined ION leaving schoo) to avail myself of
the light which experience aud observation would
give me, anu thereon to base opinion of its truth
or fasencss did so, and after the most ample and
satisfactory trial, brought my mind to q conclusion
liked and determnate, that there never was scho-
lastlc dogma, Propagated by modern philosophers
winch contained much theoretical plausibiliIy
with so little practical truth.
The reverse of the position assumed bv these pnn-
Yemen Is III every respect true They will find when
they nave made the experiment, las many have been
made) that slave 'abour is capable, more dill.
gent, more faithful, and in every respect more wor-
thy of confidence. One fact is worth q thousand
theorics-We may speculate ad minimum upon the
moving principles and governing motives of man, but
Wheh 'hese sPeculatlons are not supported by the
nherring acts which mark his conduct through life
they should be rejected idle vagarics or fruitess
distractions. Apply this test to the reasoning OF
MI. Ciay-look around upon the free black popula-
lion winch reside amongst compare their capaci-
ty--their diligence and their fai,hfulness with our
slaves, and note the result. In the former, with n
very levy exceptions, have class Of persons lost
to every principle of virtue indolent to an extreme
|
human nature. That confidence which should snl,.
SYST between different members of the same colrIu
My and which good conduct never fails to Sc cure in
this country, is unfeit towards Them And like the
"Jud@us APeila among the Romans they have be-
ga by-word and proyerb' CT prefcacy and con-
| tempt.
This state Of moral degradation is not confined
alone to those of this unfortunate people who iphobt
virginia; but wherever they have inhaled the brea,,
OF liberty with it ideness, and I'll its demoraiizinr
consequences, have succeeded. and reduced them To
the same scale OF moral wretchedness which mark
their character In Commonwealth. To the States
of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia
where four fths of the black population are free the
hun1De writer can attest from actual observation the
correct application Of this remark. Resident for
short time in the latter place. he had the fairest 90
portunI'y OF noting well their habits and nforninr
himself of their capacity, diligence and fathfness
lie saw them placed by the side of the slave on the
same arm-he different farms, one conducted by
free labor and the other by slave labor-he conyerssd
with persons who had been the habit of EMPLOYING
alternately free and slave labor ard the various sour
ces from Whence he was enabled TO gather nforna-
ton settled his mind conclusivcly in the belief that
slave labor was more capable, more digent, more
faithful and III every respect worthy of more conf
dence.
Another opportunity by which the comDarative
merit OF Tree and slave labour could be proved was
by Journey which The author took in the States Of
AlaTyland and Pennsylvania. Travelling a distance
OF some or 500 miles in those States by private
conveyance he passed through the former State into
Pennsylvania townships thickly settled with Germans
where an African, descendant of an African was
scarcely ever seen. In Maryland he met with good
hotes-t!n nlshed with oyary accommodation desired
Every thing necessary 10 be done after long da
travel WAS to hand his horse slave servant
promise him with sixpence, and retire to rest per-
fecty assured that his horse would be well attended
to. lie was never deceived-his horse fattened
from the time he left home until he reached Pennsy-
yania. There expecting to meet with Mr.. Claws
faithful servants, of whom he had heard much he felt
douby sure OF good treatment without that additional
e?;pence to which he had in Maryland been subject
| Cd So far as kind promises and complaisant de-
n1eanor went he received it, and no further. No gt-
peFlntcndance he could give mo compensation he
could offer would avail him-by some trick or eva
sion his horse wsuld go without his livery, or get
but half rations; and that rubbing and currynp,
Winch the wearicd jade would always anticipate with
delight, was deemed by Pat entirely superrooato.
~; until, like the unfortunate hero of La Mancha he
really thought he should be compelled to erect Il mon
uTnent and chaunt requiem TO his beloved Rosi-
MAMIE. lie left these good people With perfect will.
Ilngness that they should kcan their Nrhin