Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-02-07

| increased vigor and expansion. The fact has on.
y TO be made known, to call to its assistance
thousands who otherwise would never have OK
tended il. We wish no such state of things--wo
wish no to withdraw his name from us, he.
cause we hate to offend old friends, and dcprcca,c
the excitement which produces such a Course
but in truth, any number of Withdrawals for such
cause would be far from injuring us.
| Appomattox has worded his recommendation
with exceeding caution. He well knew the delicate
ground upon which he trcading, and the odiu,,,
ana defeat which havo ever attended, in all conn.
tries where it has got root, every attempt to NM
zle the Press; and he therefore abors to rcnre
sent the measure which he recommends cs
harmless in principle, and as not obpoxiors
TO the charge of being an effort to muzzl, tho
Press But in reality, the principle of his recon.
mondation and that of the Scdition Law is the
same; the only difference is i'm the mode. Both
arc levellod at the freedom Of discussion. inAict
penalties for the past, and provide restrictions for
the future. The motive and end of both n-c mo
same Why does not Mr.. Leigh leave Pnblio
opinion to reach its own conclusions? WHY does
he excite, stimulate alarm and tcrrify it into the
'niiictIon of penalty, which, if coextensivey en-
forced with tho country to which he makes his ap
peal would overthrow the two Metropolitan Poll
ucai Presses, unless corresponding assistance came
from other quarters? In vain does he labor to exon
crate his recommendation from the odium of an at
tempt to muzzle the Press: Such it is, in principle
and design If he can succecd-il' at this period
OF the world, and this stage of human improve
ment-if in the Commonwealth of Virginia, he
can prevail with Public opinion to put down the
Public Press, and when, too, that Public Press has
not gone to such lengths in the deprecated discus
sion as the General assembly Of Virginia--if Her
cules like, he can do this-let him do it, with all
our hearts. But, he cannot do it,
We ask attention to the first of the recommends
tions which Appomatox makes.
l. earnestly recommend to them to provide
Quietly and silently, bst, at the same time PROMPT
ly and sufficiently arms and ammunition for Inc
defence OF themselves, and their families and
| nelghbors; to concert their plans OF action anonU
themselves, in anticipation of any insurrectionary
spirit that may manifest itself among the slaves TO
mold themselves in constant readiness to meet and
suppress servilc rebellion, at a minutes warninp:
| TO arrange voluntary bodies of minute men, in
short, appointing convenient places of rendezvous
Tor them; meantime, to maintain the strictest dis
cipne; to stilc the slightest breath Of scdiiion to
exercise the closest vigilance to nfse the utmost
activity, the highest order and prudence into their
ordinary police, of which it is susceptible. Let 10
man shun the patrole duty. Let there be no inhu
manity towards the blacks, whatever cause of ex
cltement may arlse-for our own credit none-but
no neglect, no imprudent indulgence. IF we ey
erclse due caution want of discretion in others
VIII endanger our peace; if neglect or remit
proper care for ourselves, need noto expect
that others Will exercise any for us, and our
wives and children must bear the consequences Of
our supiueness and folly.
| 3 As wise and considerate representatives,
have resolved to await, and in effect to invite.
Developing of the public sentiment il is hardly
necessary to remind the people of Eastern and
Southern Virg mia, of the vital importance of their
next elections. trust in Heaven, that no consi.
deration of personal friendship, no.partality for
private worth, will have the least influence on
their voes-that they will select their representa-
tlvcs with single regard TO this question; upon
which their property, their native land, depends
that they Will return no man who shall not
openly renounce and abure all projects for aboli-
ton, present prospective, for the liberation Of
StdueS by colonization; all schemes in short profes
| sing that object by whatever means or process
TO my western fellow citizens do not presume
to offer advice but hope they will seriously and
deliberately consider, whether then have any ends
which can be accomplished by the abolition of sla-
very Or that were possible) by projects for abo-
liton, which have any other effect than to
impair the value ofour property leopard our peace
and safety, to light torch, which, if il shall CON
sumo the dwellings of some of us, will surely be
eXtlnguished in negro Blood and whether if they
have any ends in view, which such projects, por-
tending such consequences may really tend to the
accomplishment of, these Unsuitable meGHs
pray them to consider whether any end can Justify
such means. And then, their next elections will
resolve the question, whether iunammatory lam
guage, which can have effect but one let it flow
from indjscreton over-much zeal, and not from
vicious design, be excusable and prascworthy in
| their eyes.
In another part of his address, Appomattox,
having then, another object in view, namely, to
disprove the necessity of abolition from the
renee of Instruction, by ridiculing the South
ampton attempt, exclaims sour fears Of danger,
present or prospective from our slaves! l bush-
cannot repress the senment-I burn with
shame and Indignation at the thoughtg
A child will detect the glazing inconsistency Of
the recommendation No. l, and this heroic burst Of
passion, at the very idea of danger from such q
source. We most fully in the sentiment
we too burn W it'll indignation, at the suggestion
i fear Ct our slaves. Why then does Appomattos
! gravely recommend general arming of the com
4 munity, as if some mighty and pregnant dance,
menaced the Commonwealth Why did he think
it necessary to alarm the old women and children
by preparing for danger, the very imagination o
which, he laughs to scorn7 Is this frank? Is i
candid? Is II manly Is it becoming man
the dignity and reputation of Mr.. Leigh to turr
. dtarmiSt, and scare ignorance and weakness b,
The presentation of dangers which he himself ridi
cules, as they deserve to be ridicucd7
Mr.. Leigh belongs to a school which has faler
behind the world and will never again overtak,
it-that school which opposes itself with in1cx
bic obstinacy to all change in the Constitution o
Societies, and is attached with oriental supersti
ton, to tho more majorum and cobwobs of anoicn
usagcs.
= Internal mProvemcnt.--Ycstcrday the subjcc
el so much ImDOrtanrp- tbn