Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1832-05-17

ted would ensuc Such an idea never enter
ed info the mind Of any man. No one wish
es for instance TO effect any change upon
slaves nos in being. and those hereafter 10
be born are to be held to service for |. long
term of years, and their posteFity after the,
so as to render the change from slave to free
labor as gradual as possible, and thus guard
against those very evils MIR. d. fears. As
slaves are valuable then only for their labor.
the 6rst question Is, If this species Of labor
were gradually removed could if not be sup
piled by free iabor2 Mr. b positively de-
cides not, and in this we entirely dissent
from him. Let there be a steady, continu
ing demand Tor labor, and of course a com
pensation adequate to its support. and unless
there be peculiar circumstance of bad gov
eminent, unhealthiness, or some other abid
ing cause 10 prevent it. the supply win be as
certain as that water will seek its level. or
corn seek a market where scarcity has pro-
dnced a rise of price. Now our government we
all know to be good; one Of the cheapest and
best administered in the world As far as
our knowledge extends, and we have turned
some attention to this subject, there is no
state in this Union where less money is
drawn by government from the pockets of
the people. The greater part Of Virginia,
thank God, is blessed with a salubrious eli
mate. There is a portion Of the state il is
true, situated between salt water and the
head of tide water, subject to autumnal dis
eases, but mild in its character and frequent
ly avoided by persons who are acclimated
and take the proper precautions. Even this
portion of the state is happily exempt from
those dreadful epidemics which prevail else
where, and in general health is not interior.
to many parts of other states, where free la
Dor is constantly employed, and vastly supe-
fior TO many parts Of Europe where there is
no deficiency OF labor. The mildness and
of the winters in that portion OF the
state would give it great advantages over the
north, whilst the winter fisheries, and navi-
CATION of our large waters, would afford a
bundant employment, for those whom the
season had thrown out of agricultural EN-
ployment We can see nothing there in the
situation even Of that portion of the state 10
make US for a moment doubt obtaining an a
hundant and immediate supply of labor, on
the contrary we see it has some peculiar adj
vantages. Free laborers gradually adapt
their employments to circumstances If the
morning fogs or noon day sun are particular
ly to be dreaded, their hours Of rest and in
door employ ments are arranged accordingly,
and as web directed labor certainly contri-
butes to health every where, we doubt not
that this comparatively small portion of
Virginia would be improved in This respect
no necessity for any importation of laborers
Any scheme of emancipation mast Of neces
sity be very gradual. As slave labor was
the sons Of our farmers, now
brought up in idleness and to look on labor
as degrading, would be compelled TO work;
the poorer class of whites, would no lon ger
be forced TO emigrate. and finding for them
selves and their children, a more bealthfnl as
well as more profitable employment than
and towing, would apply themselves
10 agriculture; the large farms would gradu
ally be leased, as they could not convenient
~ be worked by the proprietor, and would
doubtless bring a greater revenue to the hold /
er without labor than | Is per ct which
b. makes the product both Of our capt
tai and labor. In fine the whole experience
of others forbids us to doubt, that there
would be an ample supply of labor not only
for culture. but for the improved culture of
our lands, and for all mechanical! and agri
purposes into the bargain.
Nor is here any thing in the agricultural
pursuits, Of even the planting district of Vir
sinia, which (as Mr.. b. seems to think in
part of his speech) would deter free
labor from entering into it. We nave been
by intelligent agricultnrists that TO
is incomparably more laborious and
unpleasant crop than cotton, or any thing
grown in the state, and five show. that
when the profits offer an inducement Il, free
labor easily accommodates itself to that cul-