Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-02-04


next 40 years? The candle which has been burning so
rapidly end is lit at the other, and is melting
under keener and bskcr baze-all the western States
prohtns by misortuucs, and whilst they will close
their doors Theoretically the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. slaves
will open them wide, aud stand their portals, with
tended arms, give the ratcrnal embrace TO all white
emgrants; who do you, Sir IL the patriotic Lee
gsature of Virginia. will do nothing, and say they 10
nothing, TO rid her air domain OF tis gloomy and parayz
ing curse, will cXpatiac themselves by hundreds aud
by thousands Look these facts, MIR. Speaker, and
whether postey has not some claims on US 10 arrest evils
certain and so drciui
1t is needless To view this abstract question;
TO turn aside aud enter into the metaphy steal doctrines
the natural equality OF man. the abstract moral right o
slavery IL was 10 do so, 1 might shock the tender
nerves OF many good people; Tor not one oil those
who have everrcvolted at the idea practice oil slavery
as many do Ii has existed and ever will exist in all ages
i'm some FORM and degree. think slavery as much
correllave OF liberty cold is o heat History,
perience, observation, aud reason have taught me- that
the torch OF liberty has burnt brightest when sur
rounded by the dark and hhy yet nutritious atmosphere
OF slavery. Nor do believe in that Fanaronade about
the natural equality of do not believe that all
6y nature equal, that Is in the power oil human
art 10 make them 80. believe that the flat
noscd woolly caed black native of the deserts OF 9i-
CO. equal To the straight white oil Europe,
than believe the stupid, sccnucss greyhound is equal TO
the noblc generous dog of Newfoundland. say again,
however, that these abrusc distractions have nothing to
do in the settlement of this question, which willing
ty, happiness aud prosperity of the whites alone
cerned. To that end, and TO its attainment, permit to
say, additionally urged by every consideration
OF humanity aud philanthropy i wish 10 see com
menccd a gradual and certain diuinuuon OF the pre-
sent and increasing prePoderanoe oil the black popu-
laton provided we can obtain the means. The able
gentleman from Dinwiddie, who has given much
of his comprehensive mind 10 this great SUBJECT has
clearly proven that we can now commence the business
with bright and alterng prospect oil success That there
is mode by which certainly can, and two others
by which probably may, raise the means Mr. speak
err when wish accomplish any great work. the be-
nct of which we ourselves arc IN part 10 sare we do
hesitate to incur debt which postcry TO pay; and
shall we now, because we dclusivey think we ENJOY a
present good which all admit will be future evil refuse
60 raise money for its ddancc, at the expense oil our chill
drcn whose cdrens children will thank for the deed
Let us commence the work-let barely enter the
wedge tap it lightly and gently and leave poscrity,
(or of US can be hercO 10 say whether hey will
drive abolition In iurthcrancc OF this great OBJ
ject of State polcy call upon the East 10 do something,
and call upon the Vest mplore them in the name of
country not TO do too n'uch;-l say 10 both
and all parts that Virginia should and must be, and
inlivsblc-lat in the East there are overgrown noun
tns slaves, and that in the West there are huge noun
tans of rock and carl-tIat the good OF the Cot,mon
wealth requires they should be both evccd down, and
that nothing but money, and good will, and hearty unit
Ell and patriotic spirit accomplish either work Let us
then noy put our patriotic shoulders TO the Wheel and
patriotic hands into the equal public purse,
and we accomplish all that is now wanting TO make
Virginia great prosperous, united and happy
Entertaining the sentiments have advanced, and hold
ing as do considerable number of slaves, in whom
have ABSOLUTE rested and ndccdSi6ie right ri proper
IT, let dcnagoge of the day attempt 10 bear down
with bis slang about JunatcSm; that bug bear has
terors for Let no 0idrmist, reckless OF TRUTH init
mate that would any law not recoguiZ.
ing property In slaves, that in favor o wild
and dangerous crusade for immersed emancipation.
wish to be J,y and correctly understood on both these
points.
Mr.. Speaker it is certain that poscrity can do nothing
1or us-bu II ever apcople called upon 10 act Tor
poStery, we are that pcopepolcy, patriotism aud hui
inanty all urge and invite 10 the duty. Is there
tcScnt man who does not know that this eceSS OF slave
gy is increasing aud will continue increase in ratio
which is alarming in the extreme, and overwhClm
our descendants III run-why then should shut our
eyes and turn our backs upon the evR Win delay render
At less gigantic, give Hcrcuean strength to
meet and subdue ii at future tnel Oh no, Sir delay
p'eeus Is the hle vi time and the
refuge of siuggards
Something was said Sir Il Think by the gentleman
from Brunswick (Mr Ghoson about the patriots of the
revolution, and very hig-wrought euogy delivered bv
him on their descendants of the present day Can we Mr.
opeaScr who see our country grooming, and Travelling
and suocahng under the heaviest blacklist curse
which ever afflicted frecmen, halt and bogge aud paltcr
about her relief because it will require the annual con
bon oil aPia"ee OF our money, and yet vainy compare
ourselves to ba noble and patriotic band who against
enemy ten times as strong, with means times small
ana ia defence OF country then less valuable
pledged their lives, their fortunes and their
nor-yes Sir-they made the pledge and they redeem
ed 1T aud bcucatcd their descendants this fair do
main. Will we, Sir, i'll the enjoyment of almost every
blessing Tor which they fought, than pay few dol
lars, abandon il stcrily To poverty and DEGRADATION
Is glorious IN us TO fold and indulge in the per-
turbcd and perhaps deusvc hope, that ,Ce may live in
peace 10 good old age and die death in our ma
i've beds, with the certain conviction that even our chit
TeS children to fail in massacre or flee their native
land IN quest oil an asylum in some foreign and less genial
Sir the real actual state of aarsis gloomy enough with
out resorng 10 pictures OF the maginatio-we have had
many OF them presented to view in colors glowing
striking and appalling. wish Tighten or alarm
or TO indulge III any vision of hord fancy: but Mr. Speak
cr,lt docs seem most clear 10 mind, that unless we
arouse ourselves TO manly energy aud with par-
oIc forecast the day is not very distant when some curl
Gus travecr-some bold and adventurous Bfuneo PnrE
while peambulatng this dcsolatc land will cast his sor-
fowiu eye on that map, exhibiting the finest territory on
EARTH faced with the nobcst bay the world fortified on
9e west by lnInpregnabe chain Of lofty mountains
which rush many bold deep and navigablc rivers-and
ask-where are the white people? why is il, that only
see mere and there, sparsely scattered, squaI mi
seDe whltc men! Where the descendants of the CHI
EhIous JOhn Smith? Where the Wa ,hngtor,s the
JeiGrsons the MadisOns, the Masons, TIE enrys and
ue Lees ana all that host, who ornaincnted Vi-
ma, and delighted the world-whcre are they alI?Where
men, Mr. Speaker let ask, will be the centIeman's
'onan MaroR OF Virginia TO point her SONS! THey will
nave followed the red the big mountains of the
west and she will be minsng her the roaring wa
,cr Of the Needless Mississippi The answer Sir will be
reVerbeied IN his ears by million of African tongues in
triumphant yell, at which humanity will shudder and
patriotism should blush 1870
MIR. VAN BUREN,
ihce - TOO much reason TO believe that the madness
oi party has prevailed oc