Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1832-02-10
PUBLIC MEETING.

sideration the subject of African popula-
ton within the commonwealth, Mai.
James Gibson was called to the chair,
and Samuel III. Darts appointed secreta-
ry.
The object of the meeting being stat
ed by John r. Cooke, esq. at some length,
that gentleman offered the following pre-
amble and propositions as declaration
OF the sentiments of the meeting:
A declaration of the sentiments and opin-
ions Of apublic meeting ofthe citizens
Of Frederick county, on the subject Of
our colored population.
The people of Frederick county have
observed, with keen attention and pro-
found interest, the commencement and
the progress ofthe excitement now pre-
vailing in the country east ofthe ridge,
on the subject of the colored population
of Virginia. Deeply impressed, them
selves, with the belief that the existence
OF SO large colored population in Vir-
ginia, bond as well as free, is the chronic
disease which has already almost para
lyzed the body polite, and will in time
inevitable destroy it unless remedy be
found, they yet forebore to make pub
lie declaration of their opinions until
their felow-c citizens east of the noun
tains, and in the great slave-holding coun-
ties, should lead the way. They did
not wish to subject themselves to the
imputStion of exciting, by discussion, a
spirit Of discomfort and insubordination
in the colored population-which, how
ever unimportant here, might produce
serious Inconvenience where that popu-
lation exists in large masses.
The time for entertaining these scru-
pies has passed by. Albemarle, and 9TH
err large slave-holding counties, have
spoken on: plainly in favor oflegislative
measures for removing the entire color
ed population from the commonwealth.
The press teens with free discussions Of
all those points, questions heretofore
deemed inadmissible and perilous-the
injunction of secrecy has been removed,
and proposition for the gradual aboli-
ton of slavery is discussed with open
doors by the legislature Of Virginia.
From the character of our Institutions
it cannot but be desirable to the leeisla-
tive bodies, at such period and under
such circumstances, to hear the voice of
the people. We shall therefore briefly,
and without an attempt at argument, eX-
press our opinions on this vitality impor-
tant subject. They are,
l. That no community can be per-
manently prosperous, whose institutions
make it the interest Of one-half fthe la
boring men to do as little work as possible,
and tolerate the existence ofanother nu :
merous class, large proportion of whom
are drones, or vagabonds. or thieves, con-
Stunning without producing.
2. That this is precisely the condi-
ton of Virginia. with this aggravation,
too, of the evil, that these compare
lively unproductive classes are increas-
ing in number much faster than the pro-
ductive.
3. That the evils, therefore, under
which we labor, from the existence of
these two classes among us, will, if
things be left to take their own co urse,
speedily grow beyond the reach ofreme-
dy.
d. That the people of this generation
! in Virginia must bestir themselves man
fully in the removal of this evil, or be-
queath poverty to their children and a
servile war to their grandchildren.
5. That the notifications, however,
of our institutions, which all imperioUs
necessity thus commands us to make,
should be made with great caution and
deliberation, lest we aggravate the evils
of our condition by generating feuds and
bitter animosities between the compare
lively non slave-holding and the great
slave holding sections Of the common
wealth.
6. That the people of the Elatter, e.
ven if they be the minority, should be
permitted, at present, to give tone and
character to all legislative action on this
great subject. For no change can be
made which will not affect their interests
first and most.
7. That public opinion, in Virginia,
is as yetimmature on the subject of a
direct legislative invasion, even though
prospective, and on the p0Sf-aati princi-
pie, of the right of property in the slave.
And when legislation, in a republic out
strips public opinion, there is danger OF
a reaction.
s. That public opinion would not
only sanction, but loudly calls for legis-
lative enactments, making provision, out
of the public treasury, for the deporta-
ton of all free black persons willing to
emigrate, and Of all slaves emancipated
by their owners on condition of their EN-
igrating, but more especially Of The latter
class.