Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1832-01-20
TMesdt.u. LGll. II.
ABoLirIoN OF SLAVERY.

RESOLVED, That the Select Committee rails
Ell Oh the SUBJECT OF slaves, free negroes, and
the melancholy occurrences growing out of
the traglcal massacre in Southampton, be
discharged from the consideration Of all peli-
tons, memorials, and resolutions which
have for their object the manunission ofpcr-
sons held in servituGe under the existing
laws OF this Commonwealth, and that it is
not eXpedient 10 lcgislate on the sub
iject.
NJ. Randolph moved 10 amend the resolu-
ton by striking outall after the word South
Gmpton, and insert in lieu thereof the follow
ing:
DE instructed 10 enquire into thcex-
! Pedency offs submitting to the vote ofthe quail
lied voters in the several towns, cities, ho-
roughs, and counties OF this Commonwealth,
the propriety Of providing by law, that the
children OF all female slaves, who may be
born IN this State, on or alter the 4th dav of
July, 1910, shall become the property OF the
I Commonwealth, the males at the age oftwcn-
! ty one years, and females at the age of eigh-
teen, iidetained by their owners within the
limits of Nirginia, until they shall respect
lively arrive at the ages aforesaid, 10 be hired
out until the nett sum arising therefrom,
shall be sufficient 20 dcfray the expense ot
! their removal, beyond the limits of the Unit
ed States, and that said Committee have leave
TO report by bill or otherwise"
Mr.. Goode supported at considerable
length the immediate decision of he ques-
ton embraced in this resolution. 1t was a |
subject of great anxiety to large portion OF
the people of the State He considered it
his impcrious duty to move that the Commit
tee be discharged from the consideration of
the abolition OF slavery, in order TO alay the
doubts and excitement now existing, and 10
prevent the property OF our citizens from be-
inc impaired by the agitation of question
which threatened hecOnfiscaton oft!iat prop
er.y. lie believed the Committee would |
come to the same conclusion as was aimed at
by this resolution, that nothing should be !
done; which he argued must be admitted on
all hands from the facts that the Legislature
had not the power TO act efficiently on the
subec', nor The funds required for so great
an Undertaking. BY continuing 10 entertain
this subject hopes would be cherished in the |
colorcd population ,whichmust be diSappoint- |
ed and the present anxiety Of the citizens be |
useIessly prolonged.
Mr.. Bryce OF Frederick, opposed beth the
resolution and the proposed amendment
lie argued that the Committee having gone
into the consideration OF petitions on this sub
Jet, report ought 10 be had from them, TO |
decide on the question.
AR. Moore, in speech of great length,
opposed the resolution, and offered various
arguments in favor OF acting energeiically .
& at once upon the subject Of the abolition Of
slavery, which he looked upon as the heay- /
lest curse that could be inflicted on a people, (
and 10 which he attributed the depressed .
condition Of many parts Of the State. He !
coni5atted several of the opinions expressed
by Mr. Goode and went into n discussion Of
the disastrous effects to be anticipated from
neglecting to remove the slave population
citing detailed estimates of the relative in
crease of white and black population. He
contended that the military force required to
keep the colored people in subsection the
effects Of slavery upon the morals OF the |
whites, the prosperity Of the State, and the ,
security Of the lives and property of the citi- |
Zcns with various other considerations, pre- !
scented powerful reasons for urging the leg
islature tc act promptly and boldly on the sub
ject.
Mr.. Boiling expressed himself opposed TO
the resolution. The committee had the
whole subject before them, and he hoped
report would be had from them. lie stated,
with much clearness and force, the evils of
slavery, and urged a variety Of reasons for
legislating for the purpose of framing some
measure for its gradual removal In reply
TO arguments that the rights properly must
not be touched, be argued that the civil rights
Of the people, and the public safety required,
that, whenever any description Of property
became a nuisance, is abatement should be
considered fair object of Legislation.
Mr.. Randolph regretted that the main
subject lthe deliberations Of the committee
had been presented to the House atthis time,
and hoped il would not be considered hastily.
lie had not submitted his amendment as a
lirebrand toistiF up discussion but TO afford
some tangible question to the com. & propose
submission Of the question to the people. sFle
expressed different opinion from that d
Mr. GoOde, in relation TO the cause Of the
excitement among the people, which he
thought did not arise from the consideration
Of This subject ~ the House, but from the
transactions in the county of southampton
Something, he argued, must be done in rca-
ton TO this question, as it would DO folly 10 Il
remain with folded arms and close their eyes
10 the future, with the sagacity Of the ostrich,
which believes itself safe when its head is
hidden II was impossible tochcck the pro-
gre,s Of public opinion on this subject, and
1t vas better 10 meet il energeticaily, than
wait until they were forced 10 act by a rope
tilion Of the massacre Of Southampton.
Mr.. GhoIson said that as it was not anti
cipated that a vote would be taken on The res
olution this day, and as the usual hour Of adj a
had arrived, be would move 70 las 8