Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1831-11-25


the weight TO which it is entitled, il will be
necessary for us to point out some of the many
evil consequences which are necessarily at
tendant on slavery, and its inevitable len
dency ultimately 10 destroy the peace and
happiness OF society.
Slavery is, in itself, perhaps, the heaviest
curse which Heaven has ever inflicted on any
portion OF the human race, and il may well
be doubted, whether il falls with the greatest
force upon the enslaved, or on those who hold
them in bondage. 1t is so abhorrent to all
our ideas of natural justice, that it ought, in
the estimation of a magnanimous and gene
rous people, who profess to have sacred re-
gard for the rights of man, to be more than
sufficient TO Counterbalance all the benefits
which flow from Republican form Of Gov
eminent. And it may well be doubted if
the inhabitants of Great Britain, France, or
Austria, do not enjoy more peace of consci-
ence, ana have not more reason 10 be con-
tented with their situation than the citizens
| OF Republic in which slavery is allowed
and although they may not boast of their own
privileges, they are unquestionably better
| entitled to the attributes of wisdom, Justice
and humanity, than the Republican masters
of an ensaved portion of the human race.
But it is not of the injustice or criminaity
OF depriving our fellow creatures of their lib
erty, of which we propose to speak at present;
IL is 10 the fatal consequences of slavery TO
The owners themselves, we wish TO direct
your attention.
One OF the most inevitable consequences
OF slavery, Is the destruction Of every thing
like virtue and morality in the community
The mind of the slave is never operated on
by those noble and inspiring motives which
prompt The free 10 acts of virtue and morali-
ty. lie percGivcs, that however unexcep-
tionable or praise-worthy his conduct NAV
be, he can never attain TO the least distinc-
ton IN society, or 10 an equality with the
lowest class of freemen. The DEGRADING
state OF ignorance in which he is, and must
necessarily be kept, renders him incapable
OF Judging OF the enOrmity of crime and eve
ry nducement TO virtue and honesty is lost
when he reflects that he is constantly liable
TO suspicion and even punishment, at the will
OF an Ignorant and cruel master. without
even the form Of trial, however innocent
! he may bc-he is unrestrained by thechecks
OF conscience, or that dread of infamv and
disgrace which has such an unbounded infu-
ence IN deterring freemen from the commits
SIGN oil acts, criminal or dishonorable-his
reason tells him that ii is a violation of his
| natural rights 10 hold him in slavery-he
considers himself as entitled TO a full remu-
neratlon for his labor, and scarcely regards
II as fault, TO appropriate to his own use
| any portion OF his masters property, and he
! is only deferred from the commission of theft
| by the fear OF the lash or other corporeal
! punishment, consequent on detection. Chas-
| tity Is virtue unknown among slaves, who
are never deferred from an unlimited indul-
geRce OF their desires by any apprehension
OF the censure, shame and ignominy atten-
dant on exposure, which, among the free, is
The best safeguard for female virtue. And
The ease with which any alteration from the
! path OF virtue can be concealed, throws an
additional and almost irresistible temptation
In the way of the youths of the opposite sex
/ aud condition. ldleneSs among the free is
! Gas we shall presently SEow) certain con-
sequence OF slavery, and it has been well and
I truly said, that idleness is the mother of al
most every vice. We hold it then TO he next
TO impossible that virtue and morality can
continue TO exist, in any country, in which
there is large slave population.
Another of the banefu effects of slavery
IS, that wherever il exists, that portion of the
population which is free, is sure TO live in a
state perfect Incidence. To labor is con-
sldered mark of servitude, and is conse-
/ quently regarded as disreputable; and it ne
cessarlly follows that the whole number of
me inhabitants, must be supported by the
labor OF the slaves. Every man who has
been IN those counties of the state in which
The slaves are numerous, must have been
struck with the indoIent habits of the white
people, and must have remarked how ex-
lremely rare 1T is to see the owner of slaves
actively engaged in abOring on his farm.
In order to form just estimate Of the evil
eIecls OF slavery in this respect, let us com
pare the situation of a Virginia farmer or
planIer IN moderate circumstances to that of a
pennsylvania orN. England farmer of equal
wealth., and endeavor TO trace their progress
through life. The Eirginian being possess
Ell OF a small farm and few slaves, is Too
proud, or too fond Of his ease, to labor. and
Deing unwilling to degrade any of his chill
dren by compelling them 10 labor with his
slaves, he raises them in habits of idleness
eNpends the whole product of his farm in
feeding and clothing them in an extensive
manner, and embarrasses his estate in at
tempting to give them an education. Hi,
sons, laboring under all the disadvantages o
: an imperfect education, have no other alter.
: native but to attempt to force themselves for.
ward, in one or other, of what arc called fb,
liberal professions, already crowded 10 e1c
| cess. Nine times out Of ten they must ow.
ing TO their want Of sufficient preparation
fail of success; and being unable or UNWILLING
10 labor for subsistence, they resort TO dissi
patton TO drown reflection, and but too fire
/ quently involve themselves and their friend
: in ruin. The parent finds himself in his oI,
age stript Of all his property, even his slave
and his land, and when he dies leaves tbe e.
male part ofhis family helpless charge OF
I =. 4