Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-03-20


on this subject was raiscd,) that the Members of
such Committee may, as with one mind. examine
the proposed measure, and present il to the House
IN the most eligible form, for ultcrior action But
SIR, how are we situated in this easel Without the
usual parliamentary facilities, with n Committee
largely adverse to all action, we are uncxpcctcdly
hurried INTO debate, before crcn this Committee
HAD examined the subject; and then told, because
VIC do not present Il scheme sufficiently ncr
feet to disarm even the Predetermined that
our labours arc idlc--our efforts unovoil;u"
'ncy VIII hchhcr aid us, nor give us an op.
por'"hty TO PrcscEt a scheme, but continue
the repetition of the thrice told dict,,m that all
effort Is vain Thus taken by sururisc AM, cr,;rc
~ unprcpared, we have been coinpcllcd to meet
their negative arguments with the subm;sS;v. oye
Genus oi naked principles instead of detailed
SchchcS; but principles from which a practicable
schcmc, as we think, might be drawn in SONG of
the various forms suggested. We have huJ-Ist
nc outlines oi scheme even from an adversary
thc gentleman from Diuwiddic, (Mr. Brodnax.)-
md, The basis OF one from the gentleman from
Ahcmarlc, (Mr Randolph)-the most ,,ot; pr;pci
pic, without compensation. 81, Suggestions of a
continuation oil the post matt principlc with mr.
chase, or some degree at compcusatiom-lookng
To State funds or credit, the public domain or
financial aid from the ". =. Such are the elements
for plan of abolition. But these are scycral,y
attacked, if each was presented in detail ms n
perfected system, although scvcrallv submitted,
and with the distinct avowal that they were in
tended but as pcdestals corner stones, upon
which safe and appropriate cdiiico might be
created. But because these gentlemen cannot
perceive the symmetry fitness of all the materials
which are to enter into tho structure before il is
erected they pronounce the work impracticabc-
Are we, sir, t." fold arms and resign ourselves
to our fate, without an effort, under the desmond
ing declaration that nothing can be done? AL
though anxious !or the abolition of this curse
am not OF II temperament sufficiently sanguinc TO
expect or believe that any bill could be reported
which should he passed into Il law during the pre-
sent session Still, sir, desire the adoption of
the amendment now before us-thc effect of which
will be, an instruction to the Committee topreparc
and report to this House, the best scheme they
can devise. And although thrcc-fourths of that
Committee of the opposition, vet having la
bourcd with them during the course of their past
dutics know the talent and fidelity of each of its
members. l know too, that under the instruction
oi Tins House, 1t would be their pleasure, as it
would be their duty, to unite, with an honest and
digcnt purpose, in the execution of any duty
which they might he required TO pcrform--and
although the plan which they might report, would
not and perhaps ought not, at present, to be
enacted into law, it would, nevertheless, be of
immense advantage. 1t would afford
clcus on which public opinion might operate
during the recess of this legislature, suggesting
amendments or notifications, or it might per-
maps, prompt to the development of
ana better mode of action. lin this light, it is of
great Importance that the report should be revcrs-
ed, and the amendment adopted Confirm the re-
port and all these advantages lost. Nay,
more--thc report declares, that it is inexpcdent at
confirm 1t, and you preclude all further inquiry,
during this session. into several collateral PROPOSE
tons now depending before Among these arc,
the proposed amendment of the Constitution
of the United States, touching this subject; the
procurement of Territory by the United States
and the appropriation by Congress of por-
ton OF the public domain. Adopt this report,
and how do you respond to the loudly express
sea feelings OF large portion of this comlnu-
niyI There arc numerous petitions your ia
bic, ardcntly praying that some ching ma, be done
gentlemen on ali sides say thOt something ought
to be done--lettcrs from ali quarters, we are told
are daily received by the members of this House,
expressing the public expectation that something
VIII he done-and, above all. the gentlemen from
Dmwidde, (Mr. Brodnav,j cnEhaticaiiy says that
something mast be done. Wen, sir, IN the face
OF all this the report says that nothing should be
done II. then, you adopt this report, will not the
community lave .iuSt f''- d.sSatofnotiOne-
What, SIR after all the discussion and excitement
which has taken place, shail we dispersc without
even making an inquiry into the practicability of
relief? cannot-I will not, believe it.
Before L take my seat, L will briefly notice some
of the views taken by the gentleman from Peters
burg, (Mr. Brown) l do so, because understand
that those who think with hm--many of them at
cast-arc disposed to consider his speech as their
most conclusive argument. That gentleman, in
his cXordium, admits, that slavery is an evil; re-
grcts Its existence, and Expresses Il wish that il
could be removed, with due regard to public and
private intcrcsts-und yet he has laborcd, with a
talent and ingenuity worthy of better cause, not
only to obstruct, but to dssiladc from all attempts
to attain this desirable end. After presenting the
common arguments of uacOnStiiutionaLity and I'M
practicablty, he proceeds to the question feXpcdi
cy, and after estimating the slaves owned in
Virginia at one hundred millions, and the costs of
removal at fifteen millions more, he admonishes us
of the ruin which must follow the abduction of this
amount OF the actual wealth of Virginia. Surely
lie must know that it is not the design of any one
here, to remove or touch single slave in be-
ing; still these arc the subjects of his fears ana his
estimates All have avorrcd that in carrying out
any scheme, the design is TO act the past mutt
only, and that by slow and gradual action This
gentleman however, chooses to give his whole
sale calculations, admonitons, and appeals, not
certainly, TO convince rs of the of views VIC
never cntcrtaincd--but sir, we know these speeches
are to go to the public and in their published form
they will have their effect. The gentleman at
length directs his estimates to the real point in is
sue the post ndfi and says, eff you take away the
offspring, You diminish tho value of slaves"--and
yet, whilst attempting to show the iinpracticability
OF supplying the place of the slave, with white la
Dor, he contends that, you diminish the number
OF slaves you increase the value of abour, and rs
consequence, should suppose, the value of the
lahourcr--the slave. Thus, whilst nc admits that
while diminuton of the number of labourers in
creases the value or price of labour, he contends
That such diminution of the number, will reduce
the value of your labourcrs, the slaves themselves
"A conclusion certainly unwarrantcd so far as you
regard slaves for home uses:--so far as YOU regard
.!'Hh as articles CT trade, or commerce, the mark
ct upon which the commercial value is dependant,
is too uncertain, TO Justify its being taken into
the account of Il statesman, in forming his con-
illusions.
lie says again: she does not believe that the &c
neral Government viii lend any aSsisLancc-hc
will believe ii when Inc it, not before" Is
there not resolution before Congress- inGui-
ring into the cxpcdicncy of removing all the free
persons of colour in the u. States at the cost of
the General Government? This is the utmost the
General Government can do until our assent is
given Do they not III this, show their willingness
o a Whore cir ia