Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-01-21
COMNduNzCATfONS.
FOR THE E~NrQUIRER.

" ILIE EN- QC IRER.
The interest l feel, in common with every citizen of
Virginia, in the question of our Colored Population, prompts
me to subjoin the following views, which mature delibera-
uon has suggested TO me. L am not, however, so we'd
ded TO my opinions, as TO be out of the reach of argument.
Indeed, l should be grateful TO that man, who could con-
vince me that | am i'm error. For, if there is any object |
desire more than another, is, that this ancient Common
wealth may be relieved OF The burden of lis Colored Pop
ulation.-But, while | would not hesitate to give my sire
nuous support to any rational plan, which might be de-
Vlsed 10 eject " this ~consuumation so devoutly TO be wish
ed, would not rashly adopt the chimerical ancies of
those gentlemen, patriotic as they may be, who set out
WIN The declaration, that " our Colorcd Population must
De removed, without vouchsaiing to give us any feasible
scheme by which this Objects TO be accomplished. They
begin at the wrong end of the proposition. They adopt as
the basis OF their calculations, that a thing can be done,
without practically proving TO us hiatt It'll done, or the0retf-
cdHy demonstrating TO US how it can be done. To such
gentlemen l would say, give us your plan-present us
some tangible point which we may view and handle-that
we may investigate and decide. Alchyinists have been
bold enough TO assert, that there is in nature some univer-
SAL oiVent-Inllosopher that perpetual motion may be
discovered.-But in every case, these grand desidcrataha have
eluded their most laborious and ingenious researches and
efforts. They have always failed i'm the means nv which
those inventions are tobe realized. Then, do not those who
doubt the possibility of a happy radiance from our slaves
and Tree negroes, before any plan is suggested, render themt-
selves obnoxious TO the imputation ofhardihood, or obs,inacv
in preconceived notions? No, Sir, we are not bigotted ia
ourvicws, erroneous though they may be-. } merely because.
from the force OF particular circumstances, we have form.
cd them we are only guided by the prudent maxim,
run our knowledge We are not intoxicated bv the false
spirit of patriotism and freedom, urged on by the horror Of
49, .'"SN"l' "hANH u SSl4SI diiy per
vades the land. We would sean closely the resources
of the State, before we would offer to intermeddle with
the vested rights of private property. Why rashly commit
an act, which would be attended with the immediate and
certain depreciation in the value of a species of property
(ecOgnized as such by our laws0 which constitutes a prin-
cipal item in the wealth of n majority of our citizens
when the good proposed is not only uncertain, but remote!
1t is admitted by all, who do not coniure up ''hydras,
gorgons, and chimeraS dire" from the Southampton affair,
that the motive which should stimulate us TO pass, at this
time, a law for the gradual emancipation of slaves, arises
from that prudent regard, that generous men should ever
entertain for postenty-and that such a law could not ma
terlally affect the prosperity OF Virginia during the present
generation. Now, though l concur in opinion with those
who express this sentiment, yet / am not animated by that
erciuStUe care for the interests of succeeding generations.
that would lead me, entirely, TO disregard those of the
present. Suppose the law passed-prospectivc in its ope-
ratlons-can we by any words or terms, however strict
and technical, render 1t obligatory upon those who come
alter us, whose prosperity il is intended to subservei-No,
Sir. While, by the passage of such n law, we would lc-
gislate away one half the value of our property, the end
for which this sacrifice was made might never be attained:
For, those whom it would concern, might repeal the law,
with much less difficulty than that we encountered in pro-
curing its passage. That such an event is possible-nay
probable, we may readily satisfy ourselves, by adveItinq
to the fact, that human nature, in all ages and in all coun
tries, has e~verbeen, and ever @ill be, the same. Man
kind have ever been governed by their interests. Thi.
sways as well the deSpot on his blood throne, a.
the peasant in his mud-walled cottage: and when this
principle should be brought into conflict with their respect
to the decretals of former days-and the guardian care
a former age had eXhibited-however well intended
the result can scarcely be regarded as doubtful: besides
helr pride oil feeling might induce them TO regard such
provision as an insidious attempt to trammel their freedom
of action, stimulated as it would be by the conviction, tina
they were fully competent TO the management of thei
own concerns.
But am not opposed TO all Legislative action on thi
subject. | think much good may be done by the logis
turc limiting their views TO such objects as are within III,
compass of the means of the State. Such an object con
slider the removal of the free negroes. BY an appropria
ton TO this purpose, that portion of our population nigh
be caused TO give way for a worthier class of citizens
and, besides, from the experience the Colonization Society
has had on this point, it cannot be doubted but that thi
class would multiply on their hands-thatm many generous
philanthropic individuals would be induced to emancipat
many who now are slaves, with a view to their transmits
sion beyond the bounds of the u. States. This would at
ford full employment for all the disposablc funds of the Go
vernment for many years-while the confidence of thos
slave-owners, who are not disposed to give up their slaves
in the integrity and uprightness of the Government, woul
remain unimpaired-While at the same time, a Ionee
period would be afforded for the development and express
sion OF public sentiment, on a question which, if inoppor
timely handled, would excite a burst of Indignation, whic
would be heard from one corner of Virginia to the other
and which would, in the first place, fall upon those mem
bers of the Legislature who had been instruments in aei
tating it. CAUTION.