Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-02-09

We arc assured, however, that although the pub
lie lands may be insufficient, tho Golfers of the
General Government will be thrown open To us
and, presume, in like manner, to the other slave
hodin" States. | know that we are accustomed
20 consider the resources of that Government as
mcNhaustiblc, and indeed they seem So when
compared to the dmInutivo resources of our own
Commonwealth. But will the common treasury
OF this great conicdcracy, be able to furnish I7l
millions OF dollars for the extinction of slavery
or can II afford, even, eleven millions annually for
kccplng down the increase Supposing the sur
plus revenue of the General Government TO be
ample, 1T must be obtained through the medium Of
high duties on imports, and it is well known
fact, that the burthcn would rest chiefly OF,
the Southern States. II would he nothing
more nor less, than drawing from the pockets
OF the slave holders, by indirect TAXATION the
ney with which their slaves were eventually TO be
purchased 1t would be better economy to ADAM
Hon them at once, without compensation, than TO
go through the troublesome and expensive ccremo-
ny OF furnishing the means to have them bought.
i5ut whatever may bo the resources Oft the Federal
government, or howsocvcr obtained, are they at
the command of the Southern States? IL is true
tue legislatures of several States in response to
the resolutions of Rufus King, have declared their
Willingness to dedicate the public lands and other
resources, TO the extinction of slavery. There il,
no security that they will fulfil this promise, and
when Virginia shall appear AT the bar of Congress-
Supphcatlng assistance, | presume she must,
before she VIII receive it, is it entirely certain
L confess "
sell lncredulous on that subject. The Southern
STATES have heretofore maintained that slavery
within their respective limits, is their peculiar
domestic concern. They have promptly repealed
every effort on tie part of the Federal Govern
ment or their Sister States, TO interfere with the
subject. The irmness and consistency of their
conduct, sustained by constitutional guarantee
that admits OF no doubtful construction, has kept
intrusion at distance. Should Virginia now come
down from this moral cmincnce-this imprcgnabls
| tel Won hat, he nN,p
dons 1t, she can never regain it)-and invite the
Congress of the y. Statos to take charge of her
slaves, how Will she be treated? Congress will
doubtless, be willing to abolish slavery, If it were
Tor no other purpose than TO lessen tile political
weight of the South. The operation would take
from virginia more than five members, and from
the slavcholdng States, i'll the aggregate, twonty-
tour members, or one fourth part of their re-
presentation. But by what means, and up
on what terms, will the work be conduct
ed? Sir, when the general government shall
have obtained the csntroul of this subject and the
slave holding states lie deenceless at her feet, you
VIII hear no more of the purchase and removal of
slaves. fou will then be told that they are per
sons and not things-that they arc not property
or II property, that they dangerous and tho
public safety requires their seizure and removal
The Bill of Rights will be quoted to prove tb :.
they are men and entitled to their freedom. They
will be removed and slavery will be extnguished,
but 1T Will be without compensation, and at your
expense. If the general government has a surplus
treasure TO bcStow on the states-be it so-Vir-
glnia will know TO what purposes to apply her nor
ton. But if that gift is to be subject to n condi
tIon, which gives to tho Congress of the IT, s. a
virtual controul over this delicate question. let The
offer be promptly and unhcstatngly rejected.
! have now examined all the scheme of eman.
clpatlon which have been presented in the course
of this debate, have said nothing of the removal
! OF people OF colour who are now free. That is a
measure wholly independent of the one under con
steration: Ii cannot with proprcty be blended
with ii. Its very object is adverse, being intended
| as a means of enabling the slave owner to retain
his property in safety and tranquility. Neither is
it necessary TO alludc TO voluntary manumssion
The owner of slave has ample power to send
nm beyond the limits of the State and there to
sell HIM or 'iberatc him. No legislative authority
is required for that purpose. Even if manumis-
SION within the State be permitted, and the govern.
ment assume the responsibility of removal it is
still merely provision respecting negroes aIreddl
free The true question: which we are now con
slderIng is, whether the whole or a part of our
Sdres shall, by the cOcrcivc operation of law be
removed beyond our limits, either with or without
compensation to their owners. And on this ques
ton, it is my clear and settled conviction founded
| on the reasons already expressed that there is
no practicable mode of getting rid of our slaves OF
even OF removing the annual increase.
Yes, sir, there is ono modc--and only one. II
has been pointed out by the gentleman from Hal.
| ifaN, (Mr Brucc) We can flee from the country
and leave them in possession Of our goods and
| habltat'ons. We may abandon our homcs-thc
land of our birth-the graves of our fathers and
wander with our families, wrctched and destitute
through the wilds of the West in pursuit of some
! spot to lay our weary bones upon. And, sir, il
aboIItIoniSts and ill.iudging phiIanthropists will
pcrscvere IN agitating this question, the time is
! not distant when the harrassed STAKEHOLDER NAV
IND 1t relief TO embrace even this alternative.
MIR. BROWNS SPEECH TO BE coNcLuDEDI
fARTNERSHIP.
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