Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-04-17

but reality that looks the stoutest in the face
and causes even tcmerity TO pause, and view the
precipice which treads He did not believe that
amy member felt any thing like personal fear operat-
ing upon him at this time-he was sure he did not;
Dut does IT not become ms, as legislators, to whom
are entrusted the great interests of this great Com
monwcah, to look in advance and provide against
events, which, according to uuerring calculations,
must come to pass? The melancholy catastrophe in
Southampton, has been called little affair. 1t may
and will become little affair, unless the danger is
removed, in comparison with deeper tragedies a
wider theatre. The gentleman from Campbell, told
us, IL we attempt 10 a carry system of emancipa-
ton into effect instead of adding beauty and vigour
to the tree ofberty, would destroy its fair foliage.
Does that gentleman believe the removal of slavery
Will have that effect? Does he believe the tree of Ii
berry will flourish best in land of slaves? For his
own part, he had supposed i'm such land, it would
resemble more the weeping willow twned around
with IVY bending in sadness and in sorrow its
branches and its boughs; and that it would only be
in the land of the free, untrod by the foot of the
slave, that 1t would Lift high, and spread wide its
branches in rich and wild luxuriance.
The evils of slavery have again and again been
presented in bold relief to the notice of the House
1t requires no aid from imagination to describe
them. They are both seen and felt:-seen i'm the
ruin OF our best hopes,-felt in the deadenng OPP
preston by which the swelling energies Of the
State are kept down. Sir, Virginia might have
been all that the heart of her most loyal son could
have wished. Nature has been more than bounti
full to her. With her heathful and mild climate
with her rich and productive soil, with her bold
and beautiful rivers, and her many advantages and
illimitabe resources, she might have been garden
spot,-the tairest land in this wide continent-Bu
what is she? What is her present conditions? He
would not attempt to answer the enquiry. 1t is q
| painful theme to dwell upon. The hearts of all
who claim to be her sons, and love her sons, must
Sudden at the contemplation of her present aspect
In tho y-day of life, she upon her counte-
nance the evidence OF premature decay, and the
yellow leaf of Autumn has followed too soon the
budding blossom of Spring. And TO what known
cause can this be assigned, but the existence OF
savery,-this cancer which destroys at the fountain
the streams of vigorous and healthful existence:
Her citizens Industrious as moral and rs ta-
tented, as those of any other State, and her ma
tural resources are surpassed by none. Yet, all
these gifts that have been lavsfed upon her. and al
the energies of her sons have, i'm great degree been
lost and parayzed by this national calamity. Like
pestlence, has swept land, whitening and
Dlghtng whatever ii breahed upon. In this state OF
things, what must do? Must we calmly fold ollr
arms in patient resignation? Must we bow i'm hope
less dependency, without effort to save? Foi
one he was disposed to put forth his might-he was
willing to make the effort and he trusted il would
be crowned with success to remove this curse from
our country-to restore reposc and sense of Sc
curity to Virginia, and build up the broken for
tunes of the Old Dominion. But we are told, this
effort will be attended with much sacrifice Sir il
is known to us all, that much of the capital of this
country lo vested IN thlS properly; and 1t cannot be
denied, that any effort at its removal will require in.
dividual, as well general sacrifices But are moi
gentlemen willing TO make some, even great sacr
| flee, i'll such cause? We have a bright and noble
example before us-one worthy of all praise. Ou
fathers offered on the altar Of their country and fo
their countys good their lives, their fortunes ano
their sacred honor. And shall we refuse to make
some sacrifices, and submit to some losses and pr
vatons in the glorious effort to spread happiness
over our whole State, and to carry joy into the bo
som of Africa? Sir, sacrifice in such a cause
would like the widows mite, be doubly blessed-
would bless those who made it, and those in whose
behalf it was made.
lie said he would trespass longer upon the pa
uence and courtesy of the House. The task he had
| undertaken was finished,-he had presented i'm his
own imperfect manner, the views he had taken Of
this absorbing subject, and it remained for the
House, in the discharge Of its more solemn duty to
pass upon 1t. He was aware of the heavy weight o
responsibility ho had incurred by tire lie had
taken. He would not shrink from that responsible.
ty. lie was willing to so home to his constituents
and throw himself with confidence upon their JUS
tice and generosity, and demand verdict at tIei,
hands; and whether that verdict should be censure
praise, he should be sustained by the rcfec
ton that his motives We're unassaable and that he
was alone governed by an ardent desire to promote
the welfare and happiness of our common country
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