Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-01-19

THE PRESS

THE PRESS.
The seals are broken, which have been put for fifty
years upon the most delicate and difficult subject of state
concernment-Wc publish speeches i'm the II. of ID. 10.
day, ,ch'ch, at no other period, tcouid hare been deli
rered buf in closed doors.-In the same spirit the press
tearlessly speaks its own sentimcnts-unawed by the toe
sin of denunciation or the menaccs of prosciption.-wha
Is right, both for the Legislators, the Editors, and all our
Politicians, is to speak with forbearance, GOODNESS and mod
crate towards each other, and with the utmost discretion
in the presence of the persons whose desinics are depend
ent upon the discussion.
The following are the opinions expressed by two of the
newspapers of This State-onc on the borders of the At
lantic, and the other ut the foot of the Blue Ridge:
(FrOm the .N0JoK Herdid.)
C"The subject of our coloured population is now before the
Legislature of Virginia, and we are glad TO see a DISPOSE
ton in that body 10 act upon it without the control of those
sickiy apprchensions and fancied views of danger, which
have heretofore restrained our Legislators from discus
sing the monstrous evil which it portends TO the common
wealth. Our state has too long shrunk from the agitation
OF this important subject, and the evil of slavery has in
creased upon us with fearful idity.-Heavens shall we
lear the consequences ola public Investigation of the evil
with a view to its gradual removal, and not shuddcr at the
inevitable results of permitting il To grow upon us? Can
we remain insensible tothe startling fact, that the increase
OF our slave population is even now daily roofing out our
free white yeomanry, who are leaving the fair fields of
their native country for the West; and is it too much TO
predict that in fifty years its excess over that ofthe whites
VIII be so great that the lower and middle divisions OF the
state must, by the natural operation of circumstances Ito
say nothing of violcnce) be abandoned entirely by the lat
ter, or maintained in a condition of abject wrctchedness,
with their few remaining proprietors crying in vain-"Save
us from 'the body OF this death !-remove this intolerable
curse ~
1--WE are not so Dcsottcd as 10 ask that tina evil be rcmov-
ed at once: i fitcanbe entirely shaken off in 30 or even
100 years, ii is as much as we should expect. All that we
have in view is, that the number of slaves sent out OF the
country shall equal their increase for the next 10 years,
that a certain per centum of decrease shall be established
for the next 10 years, and so on until their entire removal
shall be accomplished, according TO circumstances aud the
ability oil the Government 10 provide the means for c1ccting
that object.
(From he Charlottesville .4dpocate.)
"We are truly reioiccd that these Editors, have at last,
found a field in which their united talents may be exert
cd. The good which they have it in their power 10 do on
this subject is incalculable-by uniting their energies on
this momentous question they will confer far more SULTAN
dal benefits on their native State, than by wrangling on
the comparative, but doubtful merits of rival political aspi-
rants. Their labours will meet with the ready co-opera-
ton of every true patriot, and merit alike the applause and
gratitude of their fellow-ciizens. Whilst on this question,
we would submit tin a point of view, which we think
has not been sufficiently urged. We alludc TO the rela-
tive increase of the white and coloured populations In
the county of Albemarle, for instance-the increase OF the
coloured population has a majority of near 1900 over that
OF the whites, since the census of 1920. And this is the case
throughout nearly the whole of Eastern Virginia.-And this
increase too, has taken place in despite of THE large num-
Der of these people which have been yearly carried off TO
supply the western and southern demand. 1T is, however,
well known, that nearly all the western and southern
States have either taken measures, or arc now taking them,
10 prevent the farther importation OF this species of proper
~ into their territories. When this class ofour population
neil bbX sme ssfAsHqPeiion ofsueh measures on the part of our
yer TO the limits of the State of Virginia, who can say what
their numbers may be fifty years hence? Who cannot
sec, that whatever difficulties may now oppose their re-
moval, these difficulties will increase dd %infnitum, under
the miserable policy of procrastination or delay These
II StlDDOrn IaCtS, ana we ask Tor them the mature com
deraton of our readers."1
The rules that we should pursue re-Teuch not pyi-
rate prope'ty-Violate novested rights in the slightest de-
all that is voluntarily eivcn-Pdu full
compensation for all this is freely sold and freely purchas.
all that are given or bought-Raise as soon
as we can the funds that are necessary for this purpose
Take time Tor the consummotion of any plan.
a Century, if necessary-An evil, that has been
80 long growing will take a long time 10 cradi-
cate it-Let our plan be gradual, but certain-systematic
bat strengthen our police-preyent
all combinations, all nocturnal meetings, and even meet
Ings in the daytime in any large number-all itinerant
black prcacherS-or night meetings for any such purpose
allgratuitous wandcrings from the plantations-alI vista
lions from one part OF the Commonwealth 10 anothes-ail
teachings, and schools in the towns-Get clear OF the free
people of colour, the worst, the first, by the strongest in
ducemcnts we can properly exert-and prevent them from
being taught, ~lestdlcy should teach and mislead the slave
Permit nota slave TO be manumittcd, but upon the so
Tenn condition that he quit the State for ever.-In.f fine, by
great discretion, the utmost respect f0r pirate proper
~, great perseverance, by an GcHUc and increased police.
we may rid ourselves, in some long and distant times of an
evil, which, if left TO itself, will 'grow with our growth, and
strengthen with our strength"-unfil our postcrity of the
I'd and 18th generations may bewail the blindness which
will not no'o see, and the apathy which will not no,c act.
The able and animated Debate in tho H. of D.. CONT
MUGS. Yesterday, Mr.. Brown of Petersburg spoke near
two and a half hours in opposition TO emancipation. Hi.
speech Is said 10 have been extremely eloquent and areu-
iuentative.-Mr. Garland Of Amherst spoke Oh the opposi-
ton side. We had not the pleasure of hearing any part OF
his Speech.-Mr. Williams of Harrison has the floor this
morning.
The question will probably be taken to-morrow.-W
understand the Committee on Colorcd Population are pre-
pared 10 make their Report on the removal of the Free
People oil Color.
a WORD TO THE NATIONALS
We are still Pinched for rooUl--Our Editorials must be
briei.-The National lntclligcncer has read us another
lecture on the National Bank.-Kccp cool, gentlemen
"There's nothing so becomes a man. as a little moderation
and discretion. We shall touch what Won have said
hereafter; not as "%promptly, as IRE could wish, but as
politely as we can.-Thc National Journal NAV take
comfort. We have not the slightest occasion for its sym