Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-01-31

compatible with our safety. iIav ing the strength
of superior numbers, knowledge To combine s, di-
rect their efforts is only wanting to prompt and ac
complisl the most extensive mischief This know
ledge, il is becoming more and more difficult to
keep from them. In addition to the causes before
mentioned, scdtious publications are becoming
numerous, which will find their way among the
slaves and exert their pCrnicious influence in dcs-
pitc of the best regulated police. These are the
efforts of misguided enthusiasts, who, in the end,
mlurc tho cause, which they seek to PROMOTE
Many Of the negroes i'll other quarters Of our
country educated men. The Schools and Col
cgeS are open 10 them These may do much to
bring upon The southern country, the miSchols of
revolt.
There is continual and abiding danger of in
AUTHORIZATION from the natural love of liberty
which the great Author of our being has impart-
cd to all his creatures 1t belongs to every thing
which broathcs the breath of life. Tho imprisoned
songstcr pants to plume his wings and wanton in
his native ar--thc Gagged lion seeks to rcnd the
bars which coniinc him, and to range again the
lord OF the dark forest 1t is portion OF the di-
VINE essence. which can never he wholly destroy
ed. Oppression cannot eradicate it. Amid the
proioundcst mental darkness. its feeble ray will
sometimes light up the gloom within. 1t is a scin-
| h!lation struck from the eternal rock of being,
winch can only be eNtinguishcd in the tomb.
All history attests the fearful tendencies of this
spirit IN slave population. We need not recur to
The efforts of tho Spartan hclots-to the servile
wars OF Rome-to the horrors of st. Domiugo-or
TO tho more recent scenes III Southampton. Gen
tlcmen say, that no attempts with be gener-
al Ill It's combinations, successful in its issue
Bo ii SD. Yet, justified in refusing to act,
BECAUSE torsooth, satisfied, that the desc
lation OF our whole country, ard the total extinct
ion OF our people, cannot nc accomplished in any
struggle to which these wretchcd beings NAV be
prompted by hope or fanaticism? Can he, who is
gazing III silent anguish upon the mangled bodies
OF ms kindred, be consoled with the reflection that
the rebellion is checked, and that its conductors arc
on the ghbct? All alike exposed 10 the nfu-
rated madness OF Observation-Disclosures forctell
the place which is to become the theatre of its ira
glc deeds. In every county, in every neighbor-
mood, IN every household there may be a daring
and desperate spirit ready 20 commence the work
oi death and scatter ruin in his march. IT'S this
which spreads its apprchcnsions through slave
holding community-not the fear of general success
to any scheme which dcludcd enthusiasm may sug-
ScSt. When dangers ara seen and known, courage
VIII meet ana combat them. But unshrinking bra
very sultlcelh Lot 10 overcome unknown enemy,
with smiles upon his face and kindness in his eve
10 sec the scowl of hatred, and the flush of def
ancc, is to prepare for its fury. ''Givc me light "
was the prayer OF the nvunerablc hero of antlqui-
ty. GIVE nc TO know the pcrils which surround
me, and quail not at their coming. Sir, in ser.
vile revolt there is no note of prcpara;ion II
comes not in the 'pomp and circumstance of glo-
rous war" The surface Of society is calm and un-
ruttcd. No manifesto of hostility issues-no sound
| OF trumpets awakcns 10 defence, or calls us TO
the onset--but while all is peace and tranquility, &
the heart is indulging in the mingled endcarmonts
OF 'w!ic, children and friends" or perhaps in the
calm hour Of torgctiulness, when nought but
dreams of happiness, disturb the reposc of tho
sleeper, the nccndiory and assassin leaps upon his
! devoted victims, with the torch ia one hand, anC
| the knife in the other.
(hsR. SUMMERS SPEECH BE coNcLUDKD.1