Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-01-19
Speech Of MIR. RlVES, in support Of


Speech of MIR. RIVES, in support Of
Mr. Rande!phs substitute, proposing to submit
to tho qualified voters, plan for gradual relief
from the evils of slavery.
/ Mr.. KlNES said, that he hoped he participated,
with othors, IN just appreciation of the unusual
Importance OF the subject under consideration
mat however ho saw me- occasion for excitement
and should cndcavor not to add to any that might
exist He would consider any thing said or done
on this delicate subject calculated an ument the
strong feeling always more or less attendant on its
investigation, as equally uncalcd for and unhappy
But that no had strong hopes, that as tho debate
progressed, gentlemen would find there was no.
thihg TO arouse or alarm, tho much to invite n
rous investigation and steady attention. The
consideration of an important subject would not
bo less satisfactory, the support of "A proposi-
son in relation to it css efficient if firmress and
perseverance DO attended with moderation and dis
creiion.
Before he went into an investigation OF the mo
rits of the questions pending hc thought it would
he useful to recall to recollection the several steps
already taken On tho second or third day of the
ScSSSi"n, whcn The members fresh from the
people, Tie House had raised n Select Committee
on various points connected with our colored nom
"ia'ion In a few days after that, petitions from
Grizcns OF Hanover and from the Society of
rriehos nad been presented, praying that mca-
sures might no taken for the gradual dminution
and ultimate removal of the evils of slavery from
thIs Commonwealth: &c the reference of those
pettions the gentleman from McckcnhurC, (Mr
thew should bc
ca inStanter, and the House nv n grave decision,
(thc ayes md noes being called for rejected the
motion and ordered the reference of the petitions TO
the select Committee, for its consideration. On
subsequent days, other petitions Of like character
hau pecn presented and REFEREED and the House
had ordered the enlargement of the number of
the Committee. That Committee had not vet
reported on these petitions and it was understood
had not acted on them, when the gentleman sub
mttcd his resolution TO discharge the Committee
from their further consideration: to which the re-
s"u!ion OF the gentleman from Alhcmarlc, [Mr.
Randolph.) had been offered as a Substitutes: and
p"t lhnsc resolutions are now under consideration
L ne resolution OF the gentleman from Mecklen-
burg was objectionable, it sought to change the
decision of the House before the Committee
mad acted; but it was more objectionable as it
brought the entire subject of slavery under discus
sion, without limit plan; and there fore like
ly to lead TO that sort of unprofablc discussion
which was taken up more with criminatiou a nd re-
crIminrtion, charges OF enthusiasm and fanaticism
on the one hand, and inhmaniiy, cruelty and i'm
policy on the othcr--thnn in grave and sober rcn-
sonlng and argument. From these objections the
substitute free; it in conformity with tho
past decisions of the House, it brought 10 tho
view of the Committee particular plan, without
excluding the consideration of other PLANS and
was well calculated 10 narrow the discussion here
to single point, to wit: the expcdicncy ofconsul-
ing the qualified voters of Virginia. o tho adop
ton or rejection of the plan ndca ed. IT did not
propose that the Committee the House should
! take the responsibility of deciding finally on the
subject without consulting the pcopc-but it pro-
t posed the inquiry whether the wishes OF the qua
licd voters, on the plan mentioned, should be as
ccr'a,ncd at the polls, in order that successors
Members of the next Assembly, should know their
E wishes, and knowing, obey them.
The plan indicated in the substitute, by which to
3 accomplish the great object of diminishing and
a ultimately getting rid of the evils of slavery, an.
Peared To be so plain and simple that all mirht I'm
dcrstand tit altogether prospectivc in its
operation and was ''soidIy practical" 1t was the
pan OF ono OF the wlsest mcn--most rofonnd and
experienced statesmen most devoted and useful
patrl>ts, and greatest public bcnefaetors that ever
Ilvcd IN tins or any other country in this or any
other age. 1t was The plan or the late Thomas
Jefferson. And 1T was hazarding little to pre-
dict, that 1t would add to a fame deemed by MANY
already Immcasurable-would do what the poet
pronounced "cxcess," added another hue TO tho
rainbow Speaking a Yirginian, Mr. r said.
'hat lie would rather havo tho fame with postetitv
arising from TINS than from all the other great acts
OF that great mans life. And he thanked the en-
hghtened people of Albcmarlc for afforCiup y n
, opportunity TO have it proved 10 tho world that
,he n'hs'ro"s example constantly before them had
, Dceh appreciated by his DESCENDANTS and that
they were now walking in his footsteps What
was mat plan? 1t was, with the APPRECIATION
OF the people, to declare by law, that from and
a'Icr inc lth July, 1910 all the children OF fomaln
slaves, born IN Virginia, should Che males Mt 81
and females at 49, become public pro,ertv Il de.
tanned by their owners in the State until tI,cv ar
r'Vcd al those ages reSpccively-and he hired cut
""ti ''ic Hcht sum was SuhcIent to dcfray .he
Pense of removal to foreign country How yvouId
such law operate, If the people decide in favour of
ITS passage? All slaves now in existence would
be slaves tor life-all those born before the 1tb If
July, 1910 would be slaves for fe-alI those horn
after 9TH July 1910, would remain the proportv or
the owners of their mothers, until the males orriv
cd TO II years, and the females to 49, so rs TO 70
muneraie for the expense Of raising him: lit ;r
their owners send them ont Of the State thcv may
dctain them there slaves or sell them There and
put ;ho money in their pockets. If their owners viii
not send them off before they arrive at ho respective
ages before mentioned, then those AGES they will
become public property, and be hired out TO raisc
money enough to bear their expenses TO n FOREIGN
country. 1t would therefore he 1S years after Ar
July 1910, before any female could become pub1;c
property under this law, and 81 years after before
any male could: so that it would be more than oG
years from this time before the law would opcrafc
IN single case; and after its operation conmcnc-
ed, the process would he regular and gradual As
save-aboT quietly and slowly Disappeared its place
would be supplied by free labour: there wonid bc
no sudden transition from one condition TO another
no interruption Of any pursuit or business of soc
ETY.; and no deprivation in the community Of onc
description OF labor, without making preparation
tor and ahurding an opportunity to- tho supply Of
us place by labor much moro valuable and dosjro
lie.
Tic was particularly pleased with those feature,
OF the substitute which, consulting The people FIRST