Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1832-05-31

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and go on ad ~alfGnitum until at no distant
period we are to have millions on millions.
Ii is a well known fact in the economy of po-
.pulation, that after il attains a certain bulk,
the rate of increase gradually lessons and f.
|nally ceases. The present population OF the
whole earth is probably no greater than it
was a thousand years ago. But this system
Of doubling is quite harmless if the whites be
allowed to double also. Indeed it presents
a cheering aspect. The excess of the whites
over the slaves, in 1890, was lag AGO. 1t is
now 224,7I4, and when the whites and slaves
shall both have doubled again, the difference
ln favour Of the former will be upwards of
44S, 5000. Is there not safety in this differ
ence? The number Of slaves in s. Carolina,
and also in Louisiana, has, for a long time,
greatly exceeded that of the whites. In ma
ny Of the West India islands, the proportion
has been more than 5 to 1, yet we have
heard Of no rebeliions or instructions except
IN the case Of st. Domingo. That was ow-
ing to peculiar causes. 1t is now a matter of
history, that it was occassioned by the dis
.cussions and doctrines OF the national assem-.
bly, of France. Liberty and equality were
decreed TO all nations, and even the West
India slave had his post in the miserable pa
geant Of Anacharsis Cloots. All this was
communicated, By the free negroes, to the
slaves, who were thus excited to the perpe-
tration Of that horrible massacre. Let gem
ilemen remember the causes Of this catastro-
phe, and consider bow far il is proper here
to indulge in the discussion of abstract prin-
ciples.
The tragedy Of Southampton, is held up
to our view as an argument that admits Of
no REPUTATION, and is sufficient t. outweigh
any conclusions to which our minds might be
brought by reason and reflection. 1t was in
deed an appalling occurrence-not from its
Importance or consequences-but from the
deep toned atrocity that characterized it
Yes, It has happened only once, in the course
of near sixty years, which have elapsed since
we became an independent people. And is
this solitary c%alanity-so brief and rare-to
change the whole tenor of our lives and
upiift the very foundations of society," To
allow a single disaster TO outweigh the long
security of years, would he as absurd as to
deduce the principles Of philosophy from the
eccentricities Of nature, instead of her custo-
mary habits. All that human wisdom can
do is to calculate the chances Of evil, and a.
hide by that which is comparatively remote.
Vesuvius labors, perhaps, once in a century,
and cities are buried under its burning lava.
Yet the peasant who dwells at its foot feels a
comfortable sense of security, and plants his
on the soil which has gathered over the
ruins Of Pompeii, with as fair a promise of
their fruits as if he dwelt 10 the broadcast plain
in Italy. Whittier shall we 20 to escape all
dangers? They beset our paths on every
side; and while we shun them in one form,
they are sure to meet US in another
Throughout the world, there is not a spot
where life is more secure than in Virginia:
and of all the busy agents of death, not one
has disturbed society SO little as insurrection.
Yet, gentlemen will have it that we are sur
rounded with perils, and have arrayed them
before us in forms SO terrible, that the gloo-
my genius of Salvador Rosa could have add
ed nothing to the picture They have talked
to US of s'passing the RubicoD" and .wading
ia Blood" and warned US that "the elements
are in motion" and "a crisis is at hand"
When these and other prophetic bodings fell
upon my ear. in all the melancholy madness
of ~eloquence, l could scarcely persuade my
self that some great and impending ruin was
not about to burst over our heads. | almost
fancied that | heard the war cry and the
clash of arms that the Gauls were mount
ing the CapitoIine Hiii-hat | stood, again,
in the House Of Burgesses, and heard that
lofty old Roman, Patrick Henry, proclaiming
to bis astounded audience, that war was me
vitable-that their enemy was already forg-
ing their chains, and an appeal to arms and
the God Of hosts was all that was left. But,
sir, listen not to the deceptive voice Of elo-
Quence. 1t is the orators art to raise the
storm to invoke the thunder, and impress
its terrors on our bewildered senses. Trust
him not-for there is no "crisis." When
"the elements are in mOdon"-when Olym-
pus does trembie and the bolt is hurled from
the red right arm of Jove, let US summon all
the energies Of our nature TO meet the occa-
sion as it deserves. But, sir, there is no dan
ger-there will be none unless our " in
discretion produce it. | beseech you, sir, to
pause and reflect before you embark 10 this
perilous enterprise. Without the steady and
faithful support Of public opinion, through a
long series OF years, no law you may pass,
can be efiectual-Have you any assurance
Of such support? So far from it | solemnly
warn you that whatever act of emancipation
you may pass will be received with general
re~probation. And if you pass an act that
violates the right Of property in slaves, it will
be met with the sharp, quick remedy OF re-
sistance-it will shake this ancient common
wealth to its centre-it will sever it in twain.
Then, in truth, the Rubicon will have been
passed, and we connot pause, until we tall at
the base of Pompey's statue. Then, indeed,
if the "genius of emancipation" be a tend
and delight in ruin, she well may smile that
1.-THE work goes bravely on"
| will not detain you longer, sir. In ex
pressing my opinions on this subject, ! have
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