Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-01-21

mia, and this Government and IN. Of the United
States" III the gcntlcmsn's position wore true,
humbly conceive, he would bo purchasing peace
at a most enorbitant price.
But question the truth Of tho crntlrman's posi-
ton. i am aware, that i'll the 'ilo Virginia Com
vcntion, on the question o! the distribution Of po
liticai power, this property gave rise to some OK
citomcnt: but under IL. operations of the Govern
mcnt, see cause, why il should excite dIsScn-
tons dissatisfaction. The West do not envy
i'll the possession of it; aud will do them the just
ice to say, that ~hcDerer q"cst'oHs ~ t1rdf'on hare
come up, they haze most frankly ddmfted that
stares were property. 1t is true, they sometimes
contend, that ought to pay tax of 80 cts. per
head instead offsets, for this 'valuablc propcriy
but so long as we would pay enough, and apply 1t
property, they have hereicj0rc bccu content
that we should retain our slaves ard enjoy them as
property. In relation to our connection Win
the Ccncr raj Government, and the influence OF ttS
property our interests, in ihnt connections II ~
necessary that shout say but little Iha, south
cfn interests and the eternal principles of Justice
have been sacrificed under that Gcvcrhm"nt to
the cupiGity aud avlrice of a iapaciouS and unrc-
lcnting majority, is the settled aud conscientious
opinion of Virginia.. We suffer enough, God knows
SIR iror, unjust and oppressive operations roe:
But think J hazard but little Ill saying, that
were it not for the political power which the pos
session OF this property secures to the South, III
the counsels of that Government, the oppression
under which we now labor, would long sincc have
crushed us to the earth. Yes sir, IT has not only
given us the means of meeting lis unj ust and cruel
cSactiOns; but it h,s aided IN GIVING us "n the floor
of Congress, a t;tcutcd and fearless representa-
ton, who have not hrSi,aed to thunder orr wrongs
IN the oars OF our opprcS.ors.
Mr.. Speaker, gentlemen havo entertained us in
the progress OF this debate, with long and laborcd
dissertations on the criis SidrcrY and the abstract
questions of its jnStice, Picty and morality. The
gentleman from RockbrIdge, in an essay, historical
and statistical, has conducted Ills from the early
ages of venerable old China, by regular gradations
up to own degenerate times. Sir, have
been entertained and instructed; but cannot de-
bate these questions with gentlemen. | stand not
here to argue the abstract question of slavery, or
its morality or immortality. If the substitute
der consideration, proposed to legaZc the SINE
trade, or the gcntlemau from Rockhrid%c shcw
inc that the present generation Is responsible for
the existence of slavery within our limits 1 will
most respectfully consider the argument he has adj
dressed TO But sir, il Is uukind it is un-
just, TO rcproach generation for m'sortuncs trans
united to her by generations before her, and from
which no cNcrtions o. hers could relieve her. To
whom is Virginia indebted for this ''accnrscd evil"
If gentlemen will call ii SOL To kind mother
and still kinder sisters. To Great Britain, Massa-
chuSctts, Rhode Island, &c. Yes, MIR. Speaker.
those very States, which now nursing in their
bosoms, the fanatical miScrcarts who "laugh at
our calamity, and mock when our fear comcth,' ~
were the most active agents in cntaing this curse
upon u,--iu holding to our fevcrish lips this poi
soned chalicc. But while they crowded mark
cts with captured Africans, they carried but few
to their own; and why sir! Because console nee and
nice sense Of morality, forbade it, No sir; but
because the rican constitution sunk under the
region of their climate, ard their soil and amricutu-
raj pursuits did not demand slave llbour. regard
to principle has not regulated this matter. The
curious observer will perceive i'll the history of this
subject, that slaves are IN demand only where the
soil and climate create painting interest.
We are not responsible for the existence of sla-
very amongst us. 1t is here, and no rcproachcs
the one hand, regrets on the other, can avoid
it. But it is the duty of Il Just, wise and virtuous
nee q m = Ia OK rnt of
their ability, and 10 make it subScrvicnt to the best
purposes of society; and on this ground, challenge
investigation. | will not discuss tho abstract
question of tho right Of slavery; bat [ will saw,
that the slaves %. Virginia. arc rs happy Il labour-
ing class exists upon the hahitaGIe gobc.
They well fed, well clothed and as we'll
treated In health, but reasonable labor is requir-
cd OF thcm--in sickness they nursed and at
tended ton times OF plenty they live in waste
IN times OF scarcity they do not want-thcy arc
content to-day, and have no care or anxiety for
tomorrow. CruC! treatment of them is dscountc
nanced by society; and until Of late their privileges
were daily extending. Among what laborng class
will You find more happiness, or less misery? \ OF
among the serfs and laboring poor of Europc.
No, Sir-nor anon. tho servants to the North of
Our slave population is not only happy ono,
hut it is con,entcd, peaceful, and harmless one.
For the last sixty years, while riots, scdtions,
bcllions, revolutions, blood shed, and couvutions
have marked the histories of the farcst nations
upon carth-while Righteousness and anarchy,
and tyranny and dc.posm have held their alter
nate sway governments been crumhlcd into atoms,
and empires torn from their deep found,.i ions
hat has been the history Of the Internal condition
of the State in which live? SIR, during all this
time have had one iRSUrrcctiOH-aud TO a faith
full history of that beg 10 call the aitcm-
ton of this House for Il moment. | do not wish
pallatc the horrors of that occurrence, but l
wish to show to this House, ard this people that
none of it's characteristics OF such Il cast as
to destroy sense of security, or to attach suspi-
cion to the slave population generally What is
its history, Sir? An ignorant religious fanatic,
conceived the idea o. instruction. lie succeeded in
involving four five others of his i'm aediate Hei@h.
Jouyh00d in his dcsgns--thcy commence the mas
sacrc--hcy traverse n region of cuuntrv, contain
ing hundreds OF slaves; but neither threats, pro
mises, intOXication could secure more than
from forty to fifty adhcrenis~-thcy remain cmbod-
cd something more than twenty. four hours-LIen
dispense without being forccd-arc taken without
rcsistancc--amd are AT last hing the evidence
OF persons of their class aud color. Is there
any thi - in this history, MIR. Speaker, to Justify
the belief, that this whole class of orr population
is corrupt, trcachcrous and dangerous? Sir, in
opposition TO this solitary occurrence of insubor
dlnatIon, could present toyoJ inuumcrab!c instan
ccS OF c most stcadast fidelity, and devoted lova
ty; but it is nuncccssary-suicc TO say, that be-
licve it happy, and, where well regulated
harmless population. A chivalrous and highmiud.
cd Vrguian, while standing in London, was re-
preached by Il disciple of Wibcrforcc, with the
existence and evils Of slavery in Virginia and adj
monished Of its dangers. He Indignantly rcplicd.
that he beloved more misery, vice, and corruption
existed within ten miles Of the spot on which he
stood, than prevailed in the entire slave population
of Virginia.
e come now, sir with eyes Of affection to con.
template good old Eastern Nirginia-thnt 'barrcn."
''cxhaustcd" Impoverished" 'rninod and dcsolatc
laud'-ovcr which we have heard so many mourn
flu dirgcs and weeping Jcrcu Dis. The Poelic
y9n"g tr"rcHer, gazcS on our second growth Of