The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-01-25
THE GREAT SLAVE QUESTION.

He UhEA L .oLAN l. QUES TlON.
The columns of the Virginia papers, aad
the Legislative Lalls of Virginia, have at
length been thrown widely open TO the dis
cusson of the great and fearful question of
"slavery, and its evils, physical and moral"
The Richmond Wing mentions as one of the
signs Of the times, the overhowin9 numbers
which attended the annual meeting of the
COLONIZATION Society Of that State, on the
evening of the 10th inst. The Wing saws:
1.-The society heretofore, has met with
the most active ard decided enmity from
many who have recently grounded their
irms, and in future, converted enemies will
be among its most efficient Advocates
Circumstances have achieved for it, what
reason and argument in vain labored to eff.
feet. We saw at last Evenings. Session
numbers who we dare say found themselves
countenanclng its proceedings, and contrl-
hutlng to its success, with o sort of surprise.
The meeting was favored with a glowing
speech from Mr. Maxwell of Norfolk b.
rough, who described The prosperity of the
Colony, depicted the advantages Of the
country and defended the design Of the
Society from its enemies, in vein of happy
elocuton. The numbers in attendance
were supposed to exceed the combined
Numbers at all preceding meetings of the
Society. 1t NAV be affirmed with confidence
that the scheme of African Colonization has
succeeded. 1t has now received an impulse
which cannot fail to carry it on in triumph.
j; is thus that truth and reason overcome
prejudice, and although oppressed 10y diff
cnlties at first, when aided ny perseverance
and diligence, fail not 10 succeed at last"
The Richmond Enquirer holds the follow
ing strong language upon this SUBJECT
Sour Oldest readers will do.us the Justice
TO say, that we had forehorne to touch the
subject of colofed population, for 81 years.
We felt that none is more delicate, ard
none more beset with difficulties. But at
length the oulbreakng in Southampton
spread horror throughout the Common
wealth. We saw the food-gates of discus
sion for the first time raised in consequence
Of this unparalleled event. We saw meet
ings of the Citizens held Memorials were
addressed to the Legislature. The Press,
too, broke the silence of the fifty years.
And we have seen the whole subject refer
red to committee of the House of Dele
gates for their best con sideration. And
what is more remarkable IN the History of
our Legislature, we now see the whole sub
doors, and in the presence of a crowded
gallery and lobby-even the press itself not
hesitaling to publish the Debates Of the
body. All these things were indeed new
in our history. And nothing else could
have prompted them, but the bloody mas
sacre in the month of August"
The following extracts are from the ed-
torial columns of the Wing. They are
deeply interesting:
"When we, who have so Ionged expert
enced the restraints imposed by public
opinion on this subject; who have dared
to exercise the freedom OF the Press, guar
anteed to US by the Godlike fathers Of the
Republic, but did not, could not, dare to
breathe syllable on subject ever nearest
our hearts, and Of transcendant moment TO
the Country when we, who know 30 well
at how hopeless and impracticable dis
lance, even the consideration of the subject
was deemed six months ago-when we
see the General Assembly of Virginia actu-
ally engaged, with open doors, in the dis
cussion Of the evils of slavery, and the pro-
priety and practicability of aboltion-we
can hardly believe the evidence of our own
senses. Yet so it is. Short sighted are
we all, and none can tell what an hour may
bring forth.
We foresee the agitation which is to per-
wade the country. We anticipate the alarm
which will be sounded, to the slave hold
er. We know IN advance, the defamation
which will he addressed to bis fears, his
cupidity, and his passions. We are alrea-
dy informed of the unfounded designs char
ged and circulated. But, we trust the
alarmists will fail in producing an excite
meat beyond what is favorable to an en-
HghteDed consideration of the situation of
Virginia. We trust they will succeed in
alarming no man for the rights and safety
OF his property--for we venture to say that
there is not one man who proposes to disre-
gard Its sanctty. Above all, we hope that
the alarmists will not succeed in raising
spirit OF resistance to the results of legisla-
ton, or produce persuasion that the scope
OF legitimate legislation does not embrace
an enquiry which touches the interest of
every citizen of the Commonwealth. Deep
interest must and ought to be felt"
As 10 the causes of the Legislative move
pent and the freedom of thought and &C.
tIon among the people, and the freedom of
the press, which, upon this subject, Virgin
ia has never before allowed, the Wing
makes the following statement -
Mistaken wisdom, and false calculation,
had invested the subject with sanctity,
which it WINS considered treason TO public
safety to violate. In free land, with a
free Press, one subject was prohibited, and
guarded from free discussion, with Turkish
Jealousy. Nat Turner. and the blood of
his innocent victims, have conquered the
silence of fifty years. Exposed to the dan
On n ha Inc haf g L. 4
children cut any night in the year, men
have broke:. the chains which a morbid
sensiblity imposed upon their tongues and
their hands. Imprisoned for years by this
unreasonable Jealousy, the thoughts of men
have burst forth, with warmth ami vivaci-
ty proPortioned to tho long previous con-
finsment.
MR.. VAN BUREN,
The subjoined is an extract from the cores.
nondence of the New York Amor;con 7, :.