Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-02-04
DEBATE on AgRGsEIE,EEesN.
Speech Of Mr.. BRODNAX.
CONTINUED


That slavery in Virginia Is an evil, and
transccndhnt evil, it would be idle and more
than idle, for any human being To donbr or de-
NY. 1t is midew which has blighted in its
course every region 1t has touched, from the
creation Of the world. Illustrations from the
history of other countries and other times,
might be instructive and profitable, had We the
time te review them; but we have evidences
tending to the same conviction nearer at hand
and accessible 10 daily observation. in the short
histories of the different States in this great
Contcderacy, which are impressive in their adj
moniions and conclusive in their Character
That Vlrgmia, -orginally the first rated State
in tho Unon,-thc one which, in better days,
led the Councils and dictated the measures oi
Tie Federal Government, had been gradually
RACED to the condition Of thrd-rate State
and was destined soon TO yield presidency to
another, among the youngest Of her dang htcIs;
that many of the finest portions, originally Of
her territory, n"w las was so glowngly de pic,
ed the other day) exhibited scenes Of wide
spread dcsolatlon and decay; that many of her
NEST valuable citizens renewing to OF her
parts OF the world, have certainly been attribut-
ed 10 variety ofcauscs; but who can doubt
that 1t is principally SLAVERY that is at the
bottom OF ail-that this is the INCUBUS which
paralyZes her energies and rctards every effort
at advancement? ! presume that every body is
prepared to admit and regret the existence of
this evil, and that SOMETHING should be done to
alleviate or eXtermnate it, 81 ANY THING CAN
BE DONE, by means less injurious or dangerous
than the evil itself. But, SIR it is on this point
on which much dive sity of opinion exists
moDg All WOULD remove it, If they COULD
Some seem to think this immediately and direct
y BILE, while others conclude that 1t is n
misfortune mot crime, for we not respon-
sibc for It's introduction among us.) which no cf
fort can remove or reduce, and that we must |
content ourselves to submit to it forever and a
vert our eyes from the consequences which are
hereafter to follow. While they admit that eve
ry hour we delay lessons The possibility of effect
ing any thing. they say that it is already TOO LATE
to make any attempt which will not oggTava'c the
evil. They would treat us like patients affected
by chronic diseases believed TO be incurablc, BY
endcavorng To divert our Eainds from the CON
temptation of our real situation. Believing,
however, that there is en;iro coincidence Of
public opinion on the preliminary question in
volved, deem 1T useless to enter INTO long
abstract discussion of the origin of slavery, or
the evil effects which result frem it. All will
admit its extinction DESIRABLE, it ATTAINAEIE
and cannot, therefore, like my friend ffom
Brunswick, undertake to follow the gentleman
from Rockbrdge (Mr. Moorc,) in the dlscursvc
lights he has INDUCED in, IN a general disgust
ton upon slavery. He translated us occasion
ally with electrical rapldity, first to China, and
then TO the Rocky Mountains. He amused us
tIr awhile on Earth, and then mounted up to
Heaven, Promcthcus like, to take fire from
thence, with which he attempted to blind and
cOnfound our Saus of 'Farsus, rs HE regarded
US, as We were journcying to Damascus.
The people, si-, have long deeply felt tho en-
barrassmcnt and Importance of the suGJact--and.
stimulated by recent occurrences they have
lately, with a simultaneous movement and united
move, demanded our interpositon. and required
that "soMsrnrNG" should be done. YeS, sir.
your table almost literally groans with petitions.
from all quarters of tho State. looking to us for
some remedy, and crying out in language so
strong, and So loud, as not 10 be dlsreuarded,
for SOMETHING to be donc-and, SIR, SOMETHING
must be danc But they have not pe,itoncd You
to decree the abolition Of savcry--or the con-
fscation Of their property. They have not ap-
applied to you to avert an ev'l por:cntous, it is
true, in its appearance, by bringing sudden and
obvious ruin on them. They have no. called
on ", to tear all their pr, pcrty away from
| them, or manumit tfcir slaves without indemnity
or compensation. Nc, SIT, far from it. With a
very few exceptions, this is vision which had
not crossed their mnagiualions. They have
prescribed no system, and Indicated no plan
This they have submitted TO the judgment anc
| intelligence of their delegates in this Assembly
They expected and wished Us to do SOMETHING
| WHAT rs THAT SOMETHING 70 BIZ? That il the
| question. Sir, let not prescribe \ remedy
! like that which comes TO from Albemarlp
nsuscous To the palate, and Far more pcrnjciou,
in lis effects, than the disease which it woul,
remove.