Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-03-16

of this IIossc la forming a correct opinion upen
tho subject now before us-tho growing character
OF the danger is bu; too apparent We know tina,
in Eastern Virginia, during the last forty years the
blacks have increased more than the whites bv
lO6, l76 notwithstanding the annual deportation Of
slaves to the South eta number equal - twothirtls
the annual increase. We know that this Soutb
crn outlet must soon I've closed We see then ,yb,,
must be the fearful increase OF this population. Is
there no apprehension i'll view of such a state of
things Well might the horrible though of
throat cutting operations present itself 10 tho
gentleman from Dinw iddc, or TO the mind Of ,,,
man not reckless of all ajmonitions. In tho scvc
raj calculations submitted, showing the proh,Llc
future increase of this population some difference
exists III the rcSuts-to arrive at any thiny Ekc
accuracy, mast not take the incr,,se ~ INV
one period given by the census as data-wc know
the increase reported by the census il lint Tho j.;
crease so TAR as retained after dc,lucting the
amount OF sales and deportation of which ,vc
have no account. The mode most Ek,I, "a ,,d g.,
correct results would he 10 ascertain the ratio nj
increase OF this population throughout the Ir :
Tor any given PERIOD and assume that rs tb, ratio
oi increase here; this will NOT o;yc an
amount as large the actut increase in V;rr;n;,
OWING to the greater salubriiy of our climate than
tnat oil othcr places included in the general calcu
aoi: ana owing also to the fact, that i'm our sales
and shipments to the South a much creation NM,
! Der OF males than females have been d,por,cd
| leaving an undue proportion of tho latter BIT
| lev us take thus risc as leading more nearly TO
accurate results than any other. The gentle.
L.
after careful examinations he has ,scrr,,;nnd
tG"t the average increase of this pop,.latior
throughout the u. s., is about 81 per cent pcr
ahnuin. Assuming even this ratio for Virginia. on
TIC present slave population East of the Bue
Rage, the result would by arithInctical calculn
ti"n, bc about $1,000 per annum but the increase
VIII he IN gcomctrcal ratio of prorression-
compute then the increase of white and slave
poPala'lou upon these principles, ithe white at n
fraction OF one per cent. per annun,) and in less
IMAM ~ years, If the Southcrn1,orts are closed
the slaves East OF the Mountains, will exceed, the
whites more than two to one; and so on propress-
iVcIy. But, even though the Southern market shal
not he closed Immediately, nv act of LAWN tbo
nature OF things, the demand there must gradually
'p"tc' ana your future increase he in tho same de,
gree enhanced. With this increase. the value of
your slaves VIII be dnninishcd--so that Ultimate
~ Il vauclcss and overwhelming majority of Ills
population must be the result. What then is there
TO induce you to hold on to this lcprcciatinp md
dangerous property! The suppressed, but ever abb
hg' spark OF liberty, silently bu: surely exists in
the bosom ot even the most degraded opprcsscd
ana humble slave upon earth. This spark in flu
lure tiie' under conscious and manifest know
'"Se Oh thcir physical! superiority will be brought
mo action. All history attcsts the correctness of
the prediction. The record OF St Doninuos he
lore uS:--But am admonishcd that the analogy of
inns case has been dcncd--that ST. Domingo is not
"a c'se III point, because, say gentlemen that insur-
rcction was the effect of the then revolutionary
doctrines of France. If sir the doctrines then
helh in France, could find their across the At
lahtlc to st. Domingo and there work that Rcvo
t"toh, what may we not anticipate from the doc
uies OF the present day, in that same country?
w nat are now the doctrines of England Belrium
roland, and IN fact, of all Europe! Will not these
Pri'aalh% principles reach your slaves Uhcy too
VINO i've amongst people protesting and pract-
sing ON the principles of free gov2rnmcnts will not
one OF the first results of the reform now boldly
demanded III England, be the liberation of the
west indla Colonics!--thcn how immediate and
natural the rciiux effect upon your slaves! Are not
ttiIIn fIt It,tnl
to appreciate the doctrines and circumstances of
the times! They who oppose us, start with this
very hypothesis. he gentleman from Mccklcn-
hufE tMr. Goodc) says there are many AMONGST
4 llcih, VINO are men of observation and reflection
ana arc even now, noticing the proceedings of this
iiouSc. or, this people will learn, if not other
wise, ny daily practical observation, the condition
OF things around them. Ii is true they arc
lntclligcnt-suihciently so at least to know
that ut present, they have not the means.
nor the strength, to make a successful
revolt. Hence, there is now no danger from this
discussion But when their numbers and strength
i'll nave increased sufficiently to counterbalance
an your advantages Ofsystcm Il standardization
'hcy VIII act Sir, every view of this case shcws
US Iiiat inns evil IS marching to its consumma
'ion' are we then passivcly to await Il convuIeion
winch we see must arrive? Is this the action of
Statesmen! 1T is idle to talk of the dancers of
dlScussion--the real danger lies much deeper. The
admitttcd intelligence of your slaves is itself an
abundant guarantee for the present. But if nothing
Is TO he done by the Legislature, that very intclli
gehce, when they shall possess the power will he
lhc exciting cause of your ruin
l.hR. IAMrBELI's SPEECH BE CoNcIupEpl
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