Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-02-16

ducc the State to penurv Sir the oeorranbca hostile,
Oh Virginia her SOIL her Ores and the facility of interior
ana foreign commerce which she possesses her
permanent capital, which far from being bv the
removal OF the black population, will only be brought into
active and useful exercise.
SO FAR Mr. Speaker, have attempted to show that
the political interests of the State will be promoted by
providing for the gradual and ultimate removal of the
slaves oil this Commonwealth. But sir, admonsh-
ed nay urged by considerations safety TO ourselves and
to our poserty have no disposition to nilict upon
the House, the examination of dry and tedious sta
isiical tables, but hope shall be permitted briefly TO
exhibit the present state of this population, and the ratio
oil increase among In 1890 there re in the United
States 697697 slaves. In 1880, there were 2,ol0527f
showing multiplication almost threeold!
In the five States of Maryland, Virginia, North Caro-
Ina South Carolina, and Georgia there were in 1890
oaSosO-in 1880, there 1852 1879. In those forty
years. the whites increased 79 per while blacks
advanced In the ratio OF one hundred and twelve per
In North Carolina during the same period the whites
increased sixty -four per cent while the negroes
one INJURED ana iorty-hve per eentThe entire black
population oil the United States has, during the last ten
years increased in the ratio of thirty per cent TAX
ing this as the rate OF increase for the next forty years.
me aggregate oil this population at the expiration
period, is 49, than soven-tcnts of the whole
white population of the United States ascer,aned by
the recent census.
The whole black population on the eastern side Of the
Blue Ridge in Virginia, in 1880, 457 O39-the white
population was 376,940 showing majority of blacks of
io99 ms preponderance exists Notwithstanding the
immense numbers, annually transferred to the South and
South Western States particularly the States of Louisia
ma, MISSISSIPPI, Alabama, and Missouri Some Of these
as before remarked have adopted measures prevent the
further transportation OF slave within their limits Others
heir own interests will in all probability, pur
sue the same course. The increase in Virginia then
must go on without the benefit of this former drain or ia
limited degree The numerical strength of the black
races must be still moro alarmingly enhanced They null
upy with more rapdi;y and for longer periods than the
Withstand IL is not unworthy of remark that thew out
nve US by the last census, astonished find that
III population oil more than ten millions of whites there
Were but 53l persons who had arrived the age of ono
hundred years, while in black population of but little
over TWO millions there were 2l2O who had attained that
age x.,
WIN these facts before us, say that the peace
ana tranquility OF society is not threatened? When we see
ooHcsuc enemy increasing every day in strength and
In disposition to do mischief, we reconcile with lust
sense oil duty TO constituents the recommended
ton?
The dangers to be apprehended from this population are
multiplied by the increasing intelligence among them the
combined result OF that general relaxation of treatment
towards them, which can have failed 10 observe and
the general diffusion OF knowledge which distinguishes
the age in which live. Men, to remain slaves must
remain ignorant. 1t is the condition. imposed bv mperi
Gus necessity on all whose lot it abour for another
his necessity has placed in your book laws which
II alone can justify IL has been the policy those laws
to close every OF knowledge the wretched ne
groto exinguish that little spark which glimers even
in his bosom, and which ages of degradation have hof
wholly destroyed BY act of our last session onlv
high penalties denounced him who shall attemnt
who shall attend 90 receive its dspensaiIons. IN \, nus
light these provisions OF code shall be viewed after
time, is matter of curious reflection fear they NAV
possibly be found in the researches of some learned anti
quarry and become portion his evidence TO prove tho
barbasm OF the present enlightened christian era
fear lest he may net understand the necessity which,
|
portion OF our race and TO Withdraw from the know
ledge oil their own Immortality and destiny beyond the
grave-and when he finds that in this age and coun.
try philanthropy and benevolence engaged in
ing to the most distant lands the blessing o. knowledge
and TRUTH he will be but the more puzzled with the in
constituencies OF our history.
Yet Sir however repugnant 10 feelings and TO u-
mainly ignorance in slaves, is alone compatible with
safety. Having the strength of superior numbers
knowledge TO combine direct their efforts is onv
wanting TO prompt and accomplish the most extensive
mischief. This knowledge iii becoming more and moro
tn kpnn from In, aid.
before mentioned, seditious publications are becoming
numerous, which will find their way among the slaves
ami exert their perncious influence, in despite of the
best regulated police These the efforts of misguided
enthusiasts, who in the end nure the cause which they
seek to promote Many of the negroes in other quarters
oil our country educated men, The schools and collie
ges are open to them These may do much 10 bring up
on the Southern country, The mischiefs of revolt.
There continual and abiding danger of insuborna
ton from the natural love of liberty which the great Au-
thor OF our being has impaired all his creatures 1t be-
longs TO every thing which beahes the breath of lie
ne imprisoned songster pants TO plume His wings, and
wanon in his native aIhe Gagged lion seeks to end the
bars which contne him, and TO range again the lord of the
dark forest 1t is portion of the divine which
can never be wholly destroyed Oppression cannot eradi-
cate it, Amid the proioundes mental darkness lis feeble
ray Viii sometimes light up the gloom within. 1T is a
scntillaton struck from the eternal rock of being which
can only be exunguishcd in the tomb.
All history aests the fearful tendencies of this spirit In
slave population We need the efforts OF
the Spartan heots-to the serye of Rome-to the
horrors OF ST. Doningo-or to the scenes in
Southampton. Gentlemen say that no attempts with us
can be general III lie combinations successful i'm its
sue BE IL Yet, justified in refusing TO act
because orsoo,h we satisfied that the desolaion of
our whole country, and the total extinction of our peop
cannot be accomplished in any struggle TO which these
wrclched beings may be prompted by hope anaticsm
Can he who Is gazing in silent anguish upon the man
gied bodies OF his Kindred be cOnsoed with the reflection
that the rebellion is checked, and that its conductors are
oil the gibbet All are alike exposed to the Infatuated
madness OF nsurTcconnone iorete the place which
is to become the theatre of its tragic deeds In evorv
county, in every neghbOhood every household
may be daring and desperate spirit ready commence
the work OF death, and scatter ruin in his march lis
this which spreads its apprehensons through slave
holding communicated the fear of general success o
any scheme which deluded enthusiasm may suggest
When dangers and known, courage will meet and
combat them But unhrinkng bravery suficeth not TO
overcome unknown enemy, with smiles upon his face
and kindness in his eye To the scol of hatred and
the flush of defiance, is TO prepare for s fury. Give
me light the payerof the invuIncrabe hero of an
iquy. Give me TO know the perls which surround me
and quail not at their coming Sir in servilc revolt
there is note OF preparation. IL not in the ponp
and circumstance OF glorious war" The surface OF socie
ty calm and unruiled. No manifested of hostility issue,
no sound of rumpcts awakens s TO defence or calls ne
to the orset-but while all peacc and tranquility, and
the heart is ndulging in The mingled endearmens of
wife, children and friends" perhaps i'm The calm
hour OF iorgetluness, when nOugh but dreams of happ
ness disturb te repose Of the sleeper the ncendary and
assassin leaps upon his devoted victims with the torch In
> one hand, and tho knife In the other
But, Mr. Speaker the gentleman from Dinwiddic (Gen
Brodnax0 himself admits, that unless sometbina be
done the time is advancing when in the Eastern part of
, Virginia, race will cut the throats of the Other"
But no Predicts that u will not be the throat Of the white
manand, Sir, the prediction he true is this the assur-
ance upon which we are asked to decide That IS nerpe