Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1832-07-13

| observed that the plan now recommended
does not prohibit the master from emancipa-
ting his slaves if he thinks proper to do SO ;
and it is my confident expectation that thou
| sands ofthem will be liberated and SO educa-
! ted, as to fit them for the enjoyment of lib
erty-and furnished with the means of re-
moving to country Of their own by our be-
nevolent citizens. II is by no means nav
wish TO prevent or retard the great and good
work OF emancipation by the plan have pro-
posed. Whether The slaves shall be sold or
set free, however, is matter which will be.
ard which ought TO be, left entirely 10 the
conscience ofthe owner, and he, and he alone,
VIII be accountable to his Creator Gas in all
other matters OF conscience, ) for the course
he may pursue. l have no doubt if this
scheme is adopted, that many will be libe-
rated many persons will remove and car
ry their slaves with them TO the South and
many will be sold before they arrive TO the
age Of 81 years so that in less than twenty
years there will not be bali as many slaves
In Western Virginia, as there are at pre-
sent.
You will perceive that have confined nv
remarks exclusively to the proposition of
getting rid OF the slaves in Western Virginia;
and have said nothing on the practicability of
removing them from the whole state. |
have done so because am disposed to think
such measure will meet with great opposi-
ton from the Eastern people-and because
that matter has already been pretty freely
discussed both in the Legislature and in the
public prints The object of this address is
to show how easy it will be to get rid OF all
the slaves in Western Virginia, in which
would fain hope have succeeded. Let US
then, make a united and powerful effort, to
elect this most desirable object Ii is
good and glorious cause, in which all men,
OF all professions and callings, may engage,
with the utmost prOpriety. lie; the whole
people Of the West make one united call up
on the Legislature, to pass. such an act as
will speedily relieve us from the heavy curse
OF Slavery, II success must ultimately crown
! the effort. We should not do the Legisla-
ture the injustice TO suppose that they will
be guilty of the inhuman barbarity of refus-
ing to pass such an act, which can only al
feet the interests of those who call for it.
Should they do so, however, ii will then be
time enough to determine what further
measures it will be necessary for us 10 adopt
In order 10 assert our rights.
II Citizen Of the Tallsy
To the General Assembly of Virginia.
The undersigned, citizens of the county
of profoundly sensible of the
great and inapprecable blessings which, I'M
der the merciful dispensations OF an oyerrul-
ing Providence, they are permitted 10 en-
lJoy-devotedly attached to the principles of
the government under which they live, and
actuated by an ardent desire to promote the
prosperity of this, their native state, and 10
protect themselves and their posterity from
every evil against which human wisdom can
possibly proyide--beg leave respectfully to
"a nj IF ho,,O L. Ill
subject deeply interesting to the community.
and requiring your immediate and serious
consideration. Your memoraiSts are fully
aware OF the extreme sensibility of many of
our fellow citizens, upon all subjects con-
corning our slave population, and that by ex-
pressing their opinions in favor of abolition.
they will subject themselves TO severe ami
madyersIon, and gross misConStruction of
their motives. But they would feel that
they were undeserving of the privileges they
enjoy, and unworthy of the name offreemen.
itany consideration short OF utter ruin and
annlhilatiOn, could deter them from an I'M
reserved aYowal of their sentiments in sun.
port ola measure, in the success of which.
every humane, generous, noble, and patriot
&c feeling of their hearts is deeply enlisted.
Whilst however, they are resolved TO ex-
ercise the rights which belong 10 them as
straint or reserve, they will not be unmind
full of the respect (which is due to you as the
representatives Of the people nor are they
disposed TO trample on the rights, TO disre-
gard the interests and wishes, or even TO con-
tenn the preiudices Ofthe rest of their fellow
citizens. They will neither suffer their own
privileges TO be curtailod, nor infringe unor.
the rights of others.
Acting in pursuance Of this determination
they will not stop TO consider, nor will thew
he so forgetful Of what is due TO themselves
as TO attempt 10 relute by argument. the alb
surd opinion which has been EXPRESSED
(probably without reflection y that the people
OF w estern Virginia have no right TO apitate
the question of abolition, because they have
fewer slaves than The people East ofthe Blue
Ridge. Neither will they enter intoanv
discussion as 10 the rights which they. in
common with the rest of their fellow -cilizens
have TO express their sentiments freely and
without reserve, upon all questions which
may directly or indirectly, affect the pros
perity and welfare Of the commonwealth -
That is a right not 10 be questioned and
which they will not suffer to I've controlled
or withheld from them, without a sacrifice NJ
their lives and every thing they hold dear
upon earth.
Your memorialsts have heard with sur
prise that an objection has been made TO sny
attempt to discuss the question of abolition.
on the ground that it is calculated TO excite
Instructions among the slaves This obiec-
ton carries IFS own relutation on its face
for ifinsurrections are so much 10 be dread.
ed and so easily excited, il is conclusive