Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-01-28
CHE GnmstttttttnamI Iglbfg.
Thursday EceMtms. J0se. S6.
DEBATE ON ABOLITION.

1t will be seen by the proceedings of the Hons.
of Delegates on yesterday, that the Debate on
Abolition has closed, having occupied exactly ono
fortnight During this time it has interested and
absorbed the attention of this community bevond
all Prccedent and has been conducted with nm mill
ity' ZEAL and eloquencc, beyond any thing the
capitol OF Virginia has witnessed since its found.
a'lon. Freedom of discussion has been pushed ia
great length; but net TO length us wo believe on.
oanSering the tranquility of the country; for we
mold 1t to be sei-cvidcnt that when the public vi
Shance Is on tho alert, danger from that source j,
Oh all improbable things the most improbable. Nor
arc VIC OF the number who that this discuss
ION or ono conducted in the Public Prints will i'm
part TO The slaves any ideas not now entertained.
OF any ASPIRATIONS not now INDUCED. Tho truth
u.s. that the intelligence Of the slaves has long npo
reached the point TO which the fears of some ina
gihcd this discussion would conduct it, They have
ho' now to learn those abstract theories which
teach tho universal equality of and his rights;
Out The same extent Of intelligence informs them
Oh the impossible, tho worse than hopeless expect.
aion, of engaging i'll successful struggle for their
maintenance.
The Interior effects of the discussion in tho
housc OF Delegates, will be developed by time
when the mlsapprchcnsions of doctrines advanced
IN debate, have been corrected by u temperate ex
animation OF them, at the ire-side, when tho
alarms tor the tenure Of property, felt or feigned
nave vanished before the perrsal of the speeches
winch occasoned them; when the agtated state Of
pubic feeling subsidies to healthy excitement; we
arc persuaded that the portcntous truths which
have been uttered, fortified by tho experience of
other countries, and demonstrated by a comparison
with other States around us, will sink deep into
the Public mind, and in time bring forth results
most proptious to our common country.
few words to the meaning of tho several
votes yesterday.
The Report of the Select Committee, adverse
to legislation tho subject of Abolition, was in
these words: "Resolped, as the opinion Of this Com
mi,tee, that it is noxpedcnt for the present, to
make any Legislative cnactments for the abolition
of Slavery" This Report Mr.. Preston moved
to reverse, and thus declare that it ,oas expedi
ent, noD to make Legislative cnas tments for the
abolition of slavery. This was meeting the oucs
ton i'll its strongest form. 1t demanded action
and immediate action. On this proposition the vote
was So to 10. Many of the most decided friends
OF abolition voted against tho amendment; because
they thought public opinion not sufficiently pre-
pared for it, and that it might prejudice tho cause
to move too rapidly. The vote on MIR. Witcher's
motion to postpone the whole subject indefinitely
indicates the true state Of opinion in the House.
That was the test question, and was SO intend
cd and proclaimed by its mover. That mo-
ton was negatircd, II TO 60; showing a majority
OF II, who by that vote, declared their belief that
at the proper time, and in the proper mode Virgi.
MA ought to commence system ofgradual nbol-
non This 10 moro specifically declared in Mr..
-S5.:2-s- pteaIibie in tine following words, which
was adopted by a vote of 81 to 60.
"Profoundly sensible of the great evils arising
from the condition OF the colorod population of
4his Commonwealth induced by humanity az we'll
as policy, to immediate effort for the removal in
the first place, well of those who are now free,
as of such as may hereafter become froe: believ
ing that this effort, while it is in just accordance
with the sentiments of the community the sub
ject, will absorb all our present means; and that o
further action for the removal of the slaves should
await moro definite developcnent of public OPT
nioD"
This preamble being first adopted, the resolution
OF the Select Committee, was also adopted CO.
rolary thereto, and the tuo WHOLE adopted by
vote of64 to SO.
The enquiry and discussion then, have termi.
mated in tho following specific and implied declara-
tons on the part of the House of Delegates: /,
That it is not expedient at this session, to legs-
late on abolition. 2, That the coloured popula.
ty and policy in tho first place, demand tho reno
val of the free, and those who will become free,
Cooking to ali extensive voluntary manumisson.)
4, That this will absorb our present means. s. (un-
denable implication) That when public opinion is
more developcd when the people have spoken more
explicitly, and the means better devised, that il
is expcdient to commence system of abolition.
The House of Delegates have gone thus far, and
in our opinion, it had no right to go farther. The
public is not prepared to 60 farther at this time
These are astonishing and anmating results
They who will look back to the state of opinion
five months ago. may well consider them almss
miraculous.
We do not imagine that the discussions have by
any means terminated. Mr.. Moore, few day.
ago, read a Resolution which he had prepared, ant
determined to offer, calling upon the Federal Go
vernment for aid in abolishing slavery and depori
ing the slaves. Mr.. Brodnax yesterday, ridiculin!
in just terms the idea that it was unconstitutiona
in Congress thus to appropriate the proceeds o
the Public Lands, dhc National Debt paid,) or tina
it was dishonorable in Virginia TO ask Of the Gen
eral Government what her right, made know
lis intention of introducing proposition applying
to that Government for just share of the proceed
of tho Public Lands, to aid in the deportation 0
the free negroes. We hear, also, of other Rcsou
tons connected with the whole subject Of the CO
lored population which will probably be introduc
ed We likewise hear the rumor of speedy at
tempt to divide the State coming from the Sout
of Virginia.
u In the House of Delegates to-day, Mr. Mar
shall stated that hc had voted against the unite