Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-01-21

ment Of large commercial emporiums anionS MS: that tho
activity, enterprise and Intelligence generated by, and in
separately attendant on, extended and prosperous trade;
and the prosperity, activity and enterprise thereby dinus-
ed over the surrounding country, would introduce a spirit
ard intelligence fatal to the hope OF perpetuating slavery.
Again; the large slave had the means Of educat-
Ing their sons, at any college or university they pleased;
and many OF them wisely discharged their parental duty in
this respect. but let any plan be proposed, by whicb to
facilitate and Improve the education olthe middle and poor
classes oil society, it met with the decided opposition OF the
large Shareholder; although the plan may have succeeded
admirably in other States, and be highly recommended
in this. Ii would seem as lift were thought better that
the $40, 900 annually appropriated to the rrimarv schools
should be wasted and ~misapplied, than rendereduseful and
effective for the purpose for which il was avowedly appro-
priated. Adding to the intelligence, morality and chris
tianity oil the poor part OF the community, might not be
favorable to the perpetuation Of slavery.
The right of suffrage might be literally extended in
other states, but its extension had been warmly opposed
ana curtailod here: 1t might be safe and proper in free
States, but it met with opposition here, on account of the
existence OF slavery! Other instances mightbe adduced
TO illustrate the strange and anti patriotic sentiment gene
rated by the evil of slavery; but he would forbear.
He had spoken of large shareholders; he knew there were
bright exceptions among them; he knew also, that the re-
marks did not apply to small slave many of whom
were willing TO give up their slaves, it means could be pro-
yided OF sending them of; at least, this was the case in
Campbell.
Ithadbeen doubted in conversation, and the remarks ofthe
gentleman from Brunswick (Nr. Gholson) had called IL to
ms recollection, whether the non-slavc- holder ought justly
TO be allowed TO vote on this question. This seemed to
Mr., X. to be very plain. If the decision OF the question af-
fected the interests of the community, the non-slavc-hol
der was enuued, as one oil the community, To be heard; if
the interest of the slave holder was separated from that
ofthe community the non slave- holder was, more disinter-
csted, and his vote entiled 10 more weisbt But n, was
mapiiestiy a subject involving The interest of the entire
community, and every person entitled by its laws to the
right OF suffrage, should have his vote, Mr.. r.. did not
mean 10 say, or msinuate, that the gentleman had denied
ue right oil the non-slave- holder 10 be consulted; but
when ,e gentleman %cnquired whether he as a slave
holder had a right TO vote on a question i'm which he was
interested, the question of who should vote, was forcibly
called to Mr.. RS recollection.
lie would dissent from a proposition of the same gentle
man, (Mr' Gholson) TO wit, that the Constitution of the
United States secured TO the owner of a female slave the
right oil property TO her children. Mr., II. knew that by
the laws of Virginia, the owner of the mother was enti-
tied to the child; and this was both Just and wise: lust. be-
cause 1t remuneratcd the owner of the mother for n loss of
labor and expense during the coninement; and wise, as
IL interested him in raising the child, and tended to pre-
vent the separation of mother and child; but he denied
that there was any thing in the Constitution of the Uni
ted States, or OF Virginia, which inhibited the General As
sembiy from altering the law in that respect. 1t might not
be wise or %eXpedicnt to change il; but there was no con-
sututlonal impeachment. 1t was probably in reference to
this claim TO the offspring, that the gentleman from Neck
'enburg (Mr. Goode) had denounced the plan of the sub
sutute as one OF ''confiscation.'' II seemed TO Mr.. r..
that coniiscation necessarily referred TO a RIGHT of proner-
ty, valid and indeteasible; butt the Constitution imnosed
no restraint on the Legislature, as to the right of owner
snip over the offspring, the substitute was not obnoxious
TO the charge. Yet the character and consequence of the
claims asserted should not escape observation: the mind
could not contemplate them without feelings of revuI.
sion. 1t was a claim TO the control of human be-
ings not yet in existence-indeed TO the possible offspring
OF the unborn! If the principles ofimmutable Justice rul:
Cd that the stream should partake of the impurities of the
fount, his benevolence devised a mode of redemption bv
winch the rigor of the law was satisfied And Mr.. Il.
hoped, %thatbeiore the people of Virginia abandoned this sub-
Jec'' ney would md out a mode, not only of rclievingu US of
the evils of slavery, but ofatoning to benighted Africa for
the many wrongs inflicted on her by other continents.
The public mind appeared to be coming to the conclu-
sion that something must be done, and that without un-
reasonable delay. The several enumerations of the white
and black population of Eastern Virginia, exhibited APP.
palling facts. The blacks were progressively increasing
in number, and the whites relatively declining. The dis,
proportion of numbers was constantly increasing, and
would ipcrease more rapidly as the drain of the blacks 10
the South and South West diminished. This was an evil
which would not be stationary; measures must be taken TO
di"nin,sh II, or L would be growing worse and worse. IN some
counties there were already 2 and 3 blacks for one white.
IL the poor whites continue TO leave the State a fast as
they were able, and the drain of slaves for the markets of
the cotton and sugar plantations ceased, the disproportion
would become as ten or twenty to one. What then NAV
be the consequences? With such overwhelming numbers
on their side, they may venture TO measure strength With
us; and unless our brethren OF the free States, or of the
western part OF this State, come to the aid of the East, or
help be furnished by the General Government Ia govern
ment which some gentlemen appeared TO delight. in hold
Ing up as a monster, but under which Mr.. II. had lived i'm
safety, and to which he looked with security that strnp-
ge may eventua'e IN their ascendancy, in our becoming
their slaves, II we did not refuse lite as bondsmen; and the
very seat now occupied by our Speaker, be filed by theirs.
lie entertained no apprehension that such things were
possible, at the present day; but because we are secure at
this moment, shall we fail to look forward TO the future,
Shall we see this black cloud rising and swelling, and vet
fold our arms in fatal security? Ii was The part of wisdom
TO look ahead. 1t was the dutyof public men to scent out
and ward oft danger, however far of. He was convinced
what that something was, il was difficult TO decide: but
he wished TO consult the people-he wished the plan pre-
sented in the substitute laid before the people, that their
opinion and wish may be obtained.
MIR. X. said he was done;-he was aware of his inability
TO bring much intellectual capacity TO the consideration of
the sublect-it was one that would task the genius of the
most g~lited-but he was strongly impressed with the ne
cessity OF some prudent and cautious movements the mat
ter; and he would endcavor to make up i'm hearty zeal and
steady perseverance,, for deficiency of ability.
tDebate to be Continued.