Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-01-17


puation has increased but 81 ,333 in forty years,
much less than either of the cities of New York
and Philadelphia have increased in the same length
of time. Tho great effect of slavery in retarding
tho growth of population will be made manifest by
comparing tho number Of inhabitants in Virginia
with the number in New York at different periods.
In 1890, the population of Virginia at least
from two to three times great that of New
York; In 1880, the whole population of Virginia
was 1865 99; that of New York 1894 400.
From which, it appears, that the inhabitants of
New York have increased at least five or six times
rapidly as the inhabitants of Virginia; and tho
former has one-third inhabitants than the lat.
ter at this time, Notwithstanding the territorial OK
tent of the former third less than that of the
latter. If VIC compare the population of the other
slave holding with that of tho slave. holding
States, shall find similar results, arising from
tho Same cause; and if we institute tho same
sort OF comparison between some of oldest and
thickcst settled counties and some of tho counties
in the Eastern States shall find, that the inha-
bitants of the former exceed thirty mine,
whilst those of the latter amount to from one TO
two hundred to tho square mile. These facts are
within the knowledge, reach, of every member
of this House, and those who have attended to the
facts have stated, to the carelessness of the
slaves IN cultvating the soil, and tho incidence OF
tho whites in all slave holding countries can rcndi-
ly account for the difference whiu, exists as to
population, between tho savc.holding and non.
slave holding States.
Having now, sir, lin most mpe rfect m anner,
admit) attempted to depict some of the many evils
of slavery which already experience let us en-.
quire what must be the ultimate consequence of
retaining them among us. To my mind the n
swer to this enquiry must be both obvious ard sp-
palng. 1t is, sir, that the time will come, and at
no distant day, when we shall be involved in all the
horrors OF scrvile war, which will not end until
both sides have suffered much; until the land shall
every where be red with human blood and until the
slaves or the whites totally extcrminated.--
Shall be told, sir, that these are unfounded an
1 m h,,tt Tho,
ra,ions of n heated imagination Such reply will
not convince me that am in error, satisfy that
numerous class of our fellow. citizens who concur
IN the opinions have expressed. Let not gentle
men put the fiattering JUNCTION to their souls" that
it is the voice of fear and not of reason, which is
calling on them, from every quarter of this Com
monweath to remove from the land the heavy
curse of slavery. IT, sir, gentlemen will listen to
the remarks am about to make on this branch of
the subject, humby hope that shall succeed in
satisfying them, it there be any truth in history
and If the time has not arrived when causes have
ceased TO produce their legitimate results that tho
dreadful catastrophe in which have predicted our
slave system must result, if persisted in is as inc.
vitable as any event which has not already trans
PRED.
| lay it down maxim not to be disputed, that
our slaves, like all the rest of the human race arc
now, and will ever continue to be- actuated by the
desire OF hberty-and it is equally certain. that
whenever the proportion of slaves in this State,
TO our white population, shall have become so great
as TO inspire hem with the hope of being able to
throw oil the yoke, thai then effort will be made
l by them TO effect that object. What the proportion
between the slaves and the freemen must be which
Will embolden the former to make such an attempt
1t is not material for me to enquire, for if it be
admitted, that any disproportion however great
VIII have that effect it is susceptible of the clear
est demonstration, that it must be made within q
period so short, that many of us NAV expect to
witness 1t. And need not go into an enquiry
whether or not such an attempt can, at any time,
or under any circumstances, be attended with sue
cess; Tor II is certain that whenever it is made il
will be the beginning of servile war; and from
what we know Of human nature generally, and
from what we hear of the spirit manifested by
both parties in the late Southampton rebellion il
is very evident that such a war must be one of ex
| termination, happen when it viii.
Taking 1T for granted that the positions have ia.
ken cannot be shaken or controverted, proceed
to make statement of facts and to submit table
have made out containing several calculations shew
ing the relative increase of the white and colored
population in Eastern Virginia, and i'm the counties
of Brunswick and Halifax in the last forty years
to the consideration Of the House, and from
which expect to be able to prove very satisfacto
rily: First, that the colored population are rapid
iy gaining on the whites; Secondly that that
gam must be much more rapid in time to come than
1T has been in times past; And, thirdly that in a
short period the proportion of the slaves to the
whi'es must become so great, that the consequcn.
ces which have predicted, and which are so much
to be deprecated, must ensue.
In $780, the population Of Eastern Virginia, was.
OF Whites, 314523
Colored, os9 40
In 1880, it was,
Whites, 375,s55
Colored, 457,O13
Increase in 40 years
of Whites, 81 33o
Colored, 1888
Majority of Whites in 1890. 25O98
of Colored in 1890, 81 O7S
Gam of Coored in 40 years, lO6I76