Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-11-24
fGSRsn pSsaEaNEn <Nyr.E ~
- ~ AN W ~ sAEW
= ID u 1sECAY0NS.
IT, The General As:-m5t1 of he Commemorate


" "' -iSE~",'IJ "f he Commonwealth oil
w, =, =. Virginia.
Tho Memorial of Tho Female Ci,;,,rs or ,,o
N'""'} " fluva" ma, most respectfully shewe.h
-. '"' hcmoriLlisls have hitherto been blessed
VIII contcnt'ncnt IN the hrPpy privacy of donos.
JIG fotiromont. where they have enjoyed peace and
security, under the wise institutions of Il FREQ nov
orrmcnt; nor have thav, until now, had occasion
10 appeal TO the guardians Of thci country's rights
for redress of any national grievance, having sha
red the prosperity OF their heaven favored land
villa t0cI!n~s OF gratitude to tho Author of all good
and To their natural guardians and protectors
Thoy retain grateful recollection Of tbs pr,riotic
,Acriions OF your predecessors in Office, when the
land OF their nativity woro the frttcrs of foreimn
'afali"oi, and the dcst;nic; of a mighty nation
were involved in your deliberations as a lcrislu,ivc
',"y. ne spirit now eulUiatcs your counscls
winch thea triumphcd over the oppr. ssion o. Crc,t
Britain and bore safely through The nerils of IN
uneGoa! contest. The same wisdom pcrvadas your
deliberations which framed for cur cmanc oatcd
Inaln', system ofaws unequallcd in the u diverse
Under this salntnry code, have seen our sons
arse to manhood, unfeitcred by abicct restrictions
sud onr daughters i'll ;l,cr alottrI ST atoms anonr
tho honorcd ma,-ous of u free iand
Enl hlight n"w hangs over our national pros
Pncts, and cloud dinls u, sunshine of domestic
peace ''if"'9'"ut our 81 ate. Our ears have heard
the ~aiaEs at distress, and a mysterious dread
mingled with tcartu; suspicion dsi;lri,s the sacred
Quict set ouV homcs. We have heard "i,achel, as
" wore, sweeping for her children, because they
esc an l.ncchtEG!iaDic SEn;Ithy with
s~nt murmurs Guickcns The throhbinTs of our orce
tranquil bosomS.
Nc e7unot concc2! from ourselves that en- evil is
Among as, which threatens out yrov the growth
sad ccipsc the brightness of national blessings.
- shadow d"cnIns over the land and casts its thick
est gloom upon he sacred shrine of domestic bliss,
da.Scning over us rs time advances. We reflect,
H:ih gratitude tias error in the trainers of our
Constitution, oatai!cd this evil upon us. We drew
t1e tAiHt T. ON the bosom that foS:crcd us, and ii
i.as gradually mingled with the vital principle of
orr national existence. 1t no longer remain
dormant and inert iii the social system, but calls
t'ai!y Fer redress from The sGgcs of our land. We
are les k.14'y a.rarc of the arnpus difficulties Of
.ic im-Gucstion, and nothing bat the fullest
anni;'tcucain the wisdom and prudence of l2-
gi~aiivn Council, joined to sacred trust in the
God OF nations, coul! :nducc thus 10 intrudc on
the iGTortant ayocaiions which engage your time
and Ynn- attention. We feel confident of your
pyinpafhy ill all real gors, and trust that of
your rxvered body WI imputc our Interference in
liis delicate matter, 10 cUl pah!e degree of timidy
na:her will YOU impuo to the cXtrava can't oxpcc
tation that your utmost cXertiors can effect an
Immediate removal of the evil we dcplore. We
prepared to cudure large proportion of tic
nfflictom, during our brief term % existence. But
vo look forward to the time, wlien children's
children vii! occupy the places wl,,ch must soon
know MS more. Should your wisdom devise
method of Eli, -iating national misfortune, pcs
terity will b. indch ii to you for the security of the
domestic sphere. Our dl, '"htcfs ana rh",r dangh-
ers, destined to become in ''io te!'"f
ioStorcrs of helpless infancy, the a.. ''0's oi &c
veloping childhood, and the companions =" 'i"sP
eit'zens " no will occupy the Legislative and exc
tive Offices of their country. Can calmly anti
epatc the condition ri the Southern States at that
period, should no remedy be diyiscd to arrest the
progressive miScrics attendant on slavery We
Shudder for tho fate of our female dcsct ndants
while VIC endeavor to st!hs the too i!nportunatc
apprchcnsons of our bosomS. 1t viii be their !
province, as it is ours, to impose the sautary res
~ 10 IL InlI and he
OF their lawful directors, to maintain temporary
s:5s:- .eyae TIC household. Can ;hs post of duty
be safely filled by helpless female amid the i'm
pedments arising from the increasing evils Of sla-
very! VIII the absent fathers heart be - ne"cc !
when, amid the hurry of public afflrs, his truant
thong hts return 10 the home Of his affections, sur
rnu"Gcd by doubtful, if not dangerous subjects Ia !
precautions authority? Perhaps when GocpIv en- |
g"gcd III ms legislative duties, his heart may quail
and his tongue ialter, with irrcprcsslblc apprchen
T,ons for the peace and safety of objects dcarcr
than life iiself
Such will be thc trials Of our pos.ori.v, unles.
eihrient measures are speedily put in operation to
avert them from the unborn Iuyriads of our native
land
We presume not to inirude our suggestions rs to
The method Of accomplishing this stupcndous I'M
deraking, rat content to leave the choice of
measures to those whose wisdom we can relv
j. s SUI FIcicnt that we are allowed The priyilege r
cntrcatng Our lawgivert, to commence, without
delay, a work which must be slowly and cral;I-
ally performed. We can only aid the mighty tas!,
10y ardent outpourngs of the spirit of supplicaton
=, tho Throne Of Grace. We will cali upon the
God in whom We trust, to direct your counsels bv
his uaGrring wisdom, and guide you with his CT:
cctuaa spirit. We coriure you by the sacred
:harities.Of kindred by the solemn obligations Of
usticc, otyravery consideration Of domestic affcc
ion Gnt Patriotic duty, TO nerve every ficujty of
your minds to isic investigation of this important
let not The united voices Of your mo-
llrerx, wives, duHe:ars and kindred have sounded
in ysur oars in v2isM