Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1832-11-08

4
tend Mr.. Jefferson's estimate OF duplication
OF our population, by the role of geometrical
progression. through several terms, it will
exhibit its faIacious iendancy in a siill strong
er point Of view-for the scale would give 10
Virginia I0.000,GO0 in 1g00,-sixty eight
years hence, and to the United States, in
about one hundred years, as great a popn-
lation as the universe now contains. We
would then he as thick as hail In Great
Britain and most other European countries,
they have only been supposed TO double in
FIVE hundred years. Rome the splendid cap.
ita Of the Roman empire, contained only
eighty Gonr thousand citizens; five hundred
wears before the CHRISTIAN era-at the com
pletion of the same length of time suisse
quently, che numbered 4 ,233 600; from which
grand total, she swiftly dwindled down 10 a.
bout goo thousand. at which she has been
stationary these many centuries"
From The Lexington Pal fnteHigencer.
SiaUrB-We publish, in another columns
IN extract or two from an article IN the
Martinsbnrg Republican. IN which the wr
ter attempts to justify the system Of Slavery
which at p resent exists 10 various parts OF
this country. Without advancing any o.
pinion as 20 the policy ofthe General and
State Governments in prolonglng this sys
TEN, or on the necessity Tor its gradual or
immediate abolition, we would observe that,
as FAR as our judgment is capable oftorming
correct estimate, The main arguments of
the writer lack both force aud persplcuity,
and bctray foo great a leaning to the senii.
ments OF a few eminent characters, who, by
their practices, have encouraged the con
tinnances anu perpetuatlon OF Slavery. we
sho aid not deiend an evil, however lesalIzed
by custom, because it has beeh,previously
sanctioned by great men for the very be st
Of them were fallible 10 err as the weakest
Of their { lows. II is duty we owe to our
selves, to initiate their virtues-but it Is like
wise duty we owe to our country and our
God, 10 avoid their errors 1t we would wish
to arrive at fair and honest conclusion as
10 the merits of this important question, we
must lay aside all prejudice and self interest
meet the subject openly and without fear
pay no greater Difference 10 the opinions
Of those from whom eve inherit the
curse" than decent respect for their gene
raj character requires-and examine well
the numerous and peculiar features which
Slavery assumes, as circumstances otter.
and situations vary.--it will notd to discuss
the matter carciessiy, or to decide upon IT
hastily its vast importance lmperaiively
demands for its serious deliberations, great
caution, and extensive research. rash or
nconsideratc step, on the part of1cgslatdn,
might be the prelude to centuries OF wretch
edness. degradation, and misery.
There is one point in the article above
alluded to, on which we wish TO say few
words; aud we will then leave our friends
to make their own comments. The writer
observes. "Slavery is nothing more than pc
verify, in its mildest form;' and then draws
a contrast between the condition Of the Gerry
io,ceSt classes in Europe and Asia, and that
OF the slaves in this country as if he could
rot have found reader illustration of his
tert within our own borders. There is pow
e,ty even Ia this smiling land-and yet we
pre-uWe, there are none so poor as willingly
exchange their situation for the bonds of
SLAYER, though they might thereby escape
the rig0rs of poverty, and bear 1t only IN ITS
mIldest FORM Besides, there is u spirit in
tina; portion Of our population which is sub
Ject to the will and bound by the authority
of others, that but i'll brooks the degradation
TO which they are reduced IN the scale OF hu
manly there are lurking autipathies and
deeply rooted prejudices existing amongst
them, which manifest, even TO the most IN
different spectator the uuwillingness with
which they bear their state Of serv,tnde-
there are circumstances daily occurring.
which shew the heart burninss they endure,
and the eagcIness with which they catch al
the last emancipation and their apparent
vtcuity of mind, disengaged for while from
their accustomed abors. only proves to US,
that, not having the power to meet and re
fleet on their condition with eqrinimty. they
hablfuate themselves 10 thoughtless un-
concern they have no hope TO cheer their
bcarts-nothing TO aim al beyond the drudg
cry of the circumscribed sphere in which
they are compelled to move-and afford bat
a very poor illustration of the arguments of
those who adv Cate a continuance Of Slavery,
on the ground of lis being more than power.
" IN It's mIldesi form.
Melancholy aud Fdtal accident On Mon
day morning last, Mr.. Henderson Sawyer,
son of David Sawyer, Esq. OF this county,
and MIR Thomas Maben, happened in the
same woods, turkey hunting Mr. Sawyer
had reached the ground first, and concealed
himself among the branches Of a fallen tree,
and was yelplng in imitation OF a turkey,
when Mr.. Mabeu reached Within about so
yards of Mr. Sawyer, and immagining bis
yeiplng TO be that Of turkeys, and discover
ing his hat which was black, thinking it was
the turkey, raised his gun and fired; when the
pail penetrated his forehead about an inch
from the top ofbis head which busfted his scul
hone The BAH struck CHANGING and was
found ia his hat Mr.. Sawyer never spoke