Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-12-23
COMNU TECA'TT0HS.
FOR THE WHIG.

TO THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA.

| TO THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA..
While various plans circulating throGc 81, ma ny
counties, the purpose of which is TO rid our State
of her coored population, I regret observe .hat
there is likely 10 he opposition TO every scheme
which may be devised. am Of the dolicacy
of making attempt 81 Interfere with tie rrnncrtv
private rights Of individuals abs racled!y consi
dored such, but of circurlsta ccs may OK
list under which these considerations should Weld
to :mperous necessity, or awful consequences may
cnsue; and the enquiry certainly deserves the scr-
Gus consideration OF every individual in our State
does mt this necessity nor crrsi! For many years
past fearful anticipations have boon agiiainr the
public mind, but nc1c the awful reality has been wit
rosscd-Partally 1t is true but sufficiently extern
sve to increase those approhonsons to an alarming
extent; and it becomes the province of n wise
and patriotic people, who the evil to correct it.
and more especially so, when the result would be
as beneficial to our country lust and humane to
cass of persons whose situation prccudes their
having any fceiings of interest or patriot
sm with us. Being firmly persuaded of tho cor
rcctnoss of these views, feel anxious wish to
advance this great and noble purpose, which re-
joicc 10 sec is cspouscd by many OF our most oni-
ncnt citizens.
The sentiments advanced by "Old virginia," in
late number OF the Enquirer, well calculated
70 make an undue impression on tho unwarv-not
in consequence ofthe soundncss of his reasoning or
the correctness of his views, but by roason of tho
Piausibiiiy, which, slight view, appears TO &C
company them. Some ADLER pen will, no doubt be
welded to shield tho COLONIZATION Society from the
imPuaions cast at them in this ossay-I will there
foro leave it..
In noticing tho "various" plans which have been
recommended to prevent recurrence Of such hcart-
rending scenes witnessed in SouihaInpton
no appenrsto Ioso sight of all the adyanta ges OF
carrying such schemes into operation, and coolly
sits down with view 10 dissuado the public from
making the attempt; and in doing this makes Gro
ncous calculations of the cost, and cndoavor. to in
still the doa tba', undor any practical plan the rate
of taxes would have to be raised enormously high.
lie bases his remarks upon the presumption, that
lie ,ip tg tall
ono or twenty-five years. No ono will pretend 10
deny that TO rid tho State of the ,rb0e Of her CO.
lored population, in short period would nc At
tended with vast expense, it, indeed, it would no,
be altogether impTacticablc. But why did "Old
virginia" take this particular proposition under con-
sIdcratIon2 The answer is obvious: nc is opposed
10 any scheme for the removal OF our slaves ard
this, involving, it docs, pccuniary consdcra
tons, well calculated 10 answer the object
which he had in view. In many oc the plans which
have been proposed, there is necessity for incur
ring an enormous amount Of cKpcnScs neither is
there any design TO push tho plan TO ruch speedy
results would make it thus burthcnsonc. His
next attempt is, to show that, is gnricui-
tural State, the reduction Of the number &C GU.
slavcluborcrs would 'chsck the rapid course of i'm
proycmcnC' upon our farms, and ain few years.
render Eastern Virginia "a bowling wil6crncss."-
is it possible that "Old Virginia" is seriously On
Pertaining those yiews7 1T him look to New York
and PcLnsylvauia-ICt him consider shat ihc coil OF
the latter was originally ag unproducfvc Ms our
own-and then lei him tell rs how y comes 90 pays
that the farmers in that State nov actually
rc7pInG four times much from their labor wc
do. l viii invite him TO comparative view Of the
states OF Ohio and Kentucky. Tire soil Of kcn-
ONO and ngr c''n7. ~ 9'ssnar ing superior ndvaa
tagnF o.. h.ro u-rs i'r -...' a-ii.e which Tho
"r-rH.'od tnr..s. ol .ar .~a....-... and ,t~
rv7lf them. E.oa tho contemplation o. thee.
.a=arg prospects, lct ~ 'grr 20 her rir'ar Ecu-