Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1832-10-18
NO. 4s
From ne Stannfon Sp,ta,or. =

The blighting influence of slavery ON the
growth and prosperity of our state, is forci-
oily exhibited by fact which we have heard
so often repeated. and from SO many QUAR-.
tiers as TO leave on onr mind no doubt of its
truth.--It n. that within the last twelve
months DOT less than twelve hundred persons
have removed from the single couaty OF Nell
son, We knew that the spirit OF emigration
IS prominent charac tefistic of our couutay-
men In which respect perhaps no civilized
people IN the world are at all comparable
with themr-but IL is clear chat there has
been causeat work in the instance above
mentioned. Ear more powerful than the mere
spirit oil adventure There is a sad necessi-
ty imposed on the laboring poor where slaves
are numerous, to emigrate. A gentleman
who lives on the kanakha turnpike informs
Us, that from the number of persons he saw
around a miserable cart and bare bone horse.
a short time ago, he was induced to inquire
how many were IA company, and where they
we're going The answer VAS. upwards Of
thlrty--comprislng three or four families =.
tail 10 the most squaled poverty,) and that
they were "gayin 10 o free atate"--that "they
found times were becoming too hard in old
Virginy"--"they could get no work.. aud
they "had to patrool all night two or three
nights in the weekn' The same gentleman
says that this is 10y no means solitary case
even greater numoer have been counted
about single cart and horse. Is it possible
that any country in Chrisiendom could fur
nish more wretched picturcp--Yet such
are the legitimate fruits OF slavery, whenever
from their supcrabundance, slaves exclude
poor white people from employment
But poverty. I'VE konw. is not the cause of
all the removals from Virginia. Within the
last tyvelya yffnnths hun.tr.ds ha ve synaa .uhs.
could have lived here In plenty. for no other
reason than to escape the disqnietudes atten-
dent upon domestic slavery Nor is this EN-.
igraton confined to any particular part Of
the State; it is CO extensive with the curse
itself and unless some effectual measures
are adopted TO rid rs. Of slavery, il will con-
tinue TO widen and deepen with the increas-
lug difficulties and anxieties of our situation.
Ii Is the parts0f wisdom and patriotism,
therefore, to look this subject boldly in the
face--discarding the sickiy apprehensions
which have hitherto locked il up from pub
lie investigation. The very reason which is
urged why the question ought not TO he ag.
itated, in our view, is the most powerful that
could possibly be advanced in favour OF prey
sent consideration, and the most prompt and
Efficient action. II there be danger now,
what will il be- twenty years hence? No one
can pretend to say but that il will be incom-
parably aggravated. What, then, can wa
think Of a father, who would shun foe he
admits TO be terrible, and which, ifnot sub
dued. he knows his children must meet, and
combat. with ten fold disadvantage?
But there 10 no danger at present. Now
every Thing may he done with safety Yet
we ought to remember that this will apply
to no future period.