Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1832-05-03
MARnNsBURG. MAr 5, Issa.

commenced this day the publication Of one
Of the speeches against the Abolition Of STA
very.
Yet in presenting this argument of Mr.
! Brown let one fact be remarked, that be
spoke on the eighth day Of the debate,-that
the debate continued for sic days after;- that
several gentlemen succeeded him in the dds
cussion by whom his positions we're review
ed, examined and refuted. In presenting
then the argument of Mr.. Brown, it is hut
proper for the sake of truth and the impor
tant interests involved in this discussion, that
we should also accompany it with such re-
marks as may be calculated to shew to what
extent, his facts were disproyed his argu-
nents rebutted and his sophistry exposed.
Why the speech of Mr.. Brown has been
selected by the advocates of Slavery we do
not know, unless indeed, it be, to exhibit a
melancholy example Of the facility with
which politicians can change their principles
as they shift their residence. Mr. Brown, it
is known, few years ago represented the
county Of Harrison in the House of Dele
gates of Virginia. He then understood-ful
ly appreciated and ably sustained the in.
terests of the West. Circumstances have ]
however, changed his loo alton and residence:
we now find him spurning the ladder by
which he attained bis first elevation and prid-
. ing himself upon his adopted Eastern feel
slngs, prcjudices and opinions. he is prepar-
Jed to say even to the great .appomator himself
Master go on, and will follow thee
To the last gasp with truth and loyalty.
But to the Speech.
MIR b. in commencing his Speech remarks
s'that the agitation Of the question of AboE
ton was inevitable. If suppressed in one
form il would have arisen in another" This
admission is true anditcertainIy proves more
than the orator designed. For why let US
enquire was the agitation of this question
inevitable? Why could not debate be sup
pressed? Simply because the evils of Slave
ry had then attained that maturity as to rem
der all, but the most selfish, sensible of their
disastrous and pernicious consequences. II
was fact stated in the House of Delegates
that more than fourteen hundred persons en-
fgrated from one county, within few weeks
after the Southampton affair. Was this not
enough to press the question upon ii'ems
I But go TO any portion of that Eastern coun-
Il try and see the condition to which it is re-
duced-see land once the loveliest that the
sun ever shone upon, now stript of its YER
dure-- emptied of its useful population and
\ filed with the descendants Of a foreign race,
4 hostile to them in feeling, habits and opin-
. ions, and every day dffusing with the in
crease of their numbers, a sense of insecu-
Il rity and you will then ascertain why the agi-
. tation of the question was inevitable. Win
man see the approach Of danger and not en-
4 quire how be may avoid itP Will he see the
& volcano emit its streams of languid fire and
not seek a shelter from its devastationsP
"The evils Of slauerg," continues Mr. B.,
Il oOSb "Sui'f uHo hGati hi'u
set in appalling array before our maginatons.
Its impocersh,ag effects, its immoral tendencies,
and the dangers to ,ohich 1t exposes our lives
and property have all been the theme of elo-
quent and exaggerated representation" And
4 yet when he reflects that there are in Virgi-
MIA CATO 900 slaves" and that those slaves
''are worth one hundred millions" and tina
"they are the sum total OF the hard earnings
Of successive generations during the long
and toilsome lapse of more than two hundred
years" his heart sickens at the prospect and
he cannot be brought to part with so much
valuable property No 1t would reduce
them to "beggary and want"
We here then, have the statement that tht
entire ,cealth of Virginia consists Of Al 0o(
slaves-With them we are rich and "atfiu
ent"-deprived of them eve are reduced Il
1 beggary and want" And is it indeed so
Does the entire peaHh of Virginia, the s,n
total of our earnings for 200 years consist Blu
j in our slaves? Surely the worthy gentlema
must have supposed that he was addressin!
a parcel of Dinwiddie traders-men VIII
/ raise negroes for no ether purpose than
cell them, and who keep gangs OF slaves q