Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1831-11-11
Total gain of blacks on the white pop
ulation for forty last years, II

HI aih pCIiOuy 1OIOZc
Total gain of blacks on the white pop
ulation for forty last years, log, lie
Your memorialists forbear to anticipate in
detail the future relative population between
the whites and the blacks in this region O.
Virginia. Itmay be safely asserted, howev-
er, that the end of the next forty years will
find difference much, very much greater in
number in favor of the blacks This antici-
patton is already inducing many of our mos
industrious and enterprising people TO seek
new homes in distant and stranger states,
where they and their children may be ex-
empt from those dangers and difficulties with
which they are unfortunately beset in their
native land, while others are making rapid
preparations TO follow their example, unles
some hope of relief is held out TO them We
are conscious, yes, deeply conscious of tie
many difficulties that surround this subject.
But we dare hope that patriotic people and
an enlightened Legislature may greatly d.
minish them. There is deep and pervadirg
feeling among us on this subject, which We
trust may in some degree forward your a.
forts. We know that there are many of or
people who would voluntarily surrender nov,
or at short time, all ofthis property owled
by them, 10 the commonwealth, providd
means we're dedicated for lheir removal md
comfortable maintenance out of the limits of
he,United States, for a reasonable period
These voluntary offerings for the public god,
would in short line diminish considerably
the number, and excite a wel-founded Ok
pectation of the total eradication of the etl.
TO these individual contributions should be
added an adequate ard appropriate application
oil the public means, for the removal of oh
ers from the commonwealth. The pubic
and individuals thus acting in concert, mich
good would be effected at no distant day.
To many, such plan, we are fully apjri-
sed, would be Objectionable on the GROUND oil
the inadequacy of the means of the state tc
attain the object To such il may be well an
swered, what stay TO this impending and hor-
rible evil do you propose? Will YOU waiilm
til the land shall be deluged in blood and
look alone to the fatal catastrophe of the ex-
tinction of the black race by force as theonly
remedy-or rather will you begin the great
and good work by kind, gentle, gradual and
sure means! Let us count the cost, and see
at once what we are 10 expend ofour means
TO effect this high purpose
In the last forty years, the actual increase
of the blacks has been 167 ,5SS, at the rate oil
4, fS9 per annum, An indiscriminate reno
val of this annual increase, would 10 the
course of thirty years, so diminish the evil
that thereafter, by removal of one half this
number, for thirty years more, an almost en-
tire destruction Of the mischief would be ef-
feCted.
Your memoriaists do not, however, anti
cipate such rapid and happy measures. Let
but the commonwealth raise by Tax on the
blacks, free as well as slaves, reasonable
sum, sufficient TO defray the expense of the
removal and maintenance for atime, Of such
as may be voluntarily surrendered TO the
state, and for the purchase Of a few hun
dred annually, ofthe young and healthy OIL
both sexes, and for their removal and main
tenance in like manner, and we do not doubt
the most happy and sslutary effects from such
beginning, and final and full triumph O.
yer all difficulties.
But these measures, your Tnemorialists con
fdently believe, should be accompanied by
some others The first should be, the total
prohibition Of emancipation by individuals,
but upon condition Of removing out of the
state.
The second should he The immediate cIas-
sification Of the free blacks, and requiring al
stated periods, their removal; and where they
are not possessed ofadequate means TO deiray
the expense Of emigFatiUn, the same should
be paid by the public Such measures As
these promptly adopted, and faithfully and
theoretically executed, would save this com
monwealth many of her best people, & much
Of her fair domain, from waste and abandon
ment.
Your memorialisis are slave holders this