Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1832-07-26


fully aware Of the extreme sensibilily Of ma.
nv Of their fellow citizens. upon all subjects
concerning our slave population, and that by
expressing their opinions in favor Of aboh-
ton, they viii subject themselves TO severe
animadversion, and gross nisconstructon
oil their motives. But they would Ieel that
they we're 0ndeserying OF the privileges they
enjoy, and unworthy of the name OF freemen,
II any consideration short OF utter ruin and
snnihllation, could deter them from an unrc
served avowal of their sentiments in support
oil measure, in The success Of which, every
humane, generous, noble, and patriotic feel
ing OF their hearts, is deeply enlisted Whilst
however, they are resolved to exercise the
rights which belong TO them as citizens OF
this commonwealth without restraint or re-
serve. they will not be unmlndful Of the re
spect which is due 10 you the representa-
lives OF the people; nor are they disposed TO
trampie on the rights, TO disregard the inter-
ests and wishes, or even to contemn the pre-
JUDGES of the rest of their fellow citizens.
They will neither suffer their own privileges
to be curtsiled, nor infringe upon the rights
Of other,
Acting in pursuance Of this determination,
they will not stop to consider, nor will they
be SO lorgetiul OF what is due to themselves,
as 10 attempt TO rciute by argument, the alb
surd opinion which has been expressed. (pro
pabiy without reilectlon) that the people OF
western Virginia have no right to agitate the
question OF abolition, because they have few
er slaves than the people east of the Blue
Ridge. Neither will they enter into any DIS.
cussson as to the rights which they, IN com
mon with the rest of their fellow citizens,
have to EXPIRE SIS their sentiments freely and
without reserve, upon all questions which
may directly or indirectly. affect the proSpc-
rliy and welfare of the commonwealth - That
IS right not to be questioned, ard which
they wiA not suffer to he controlled or with.
held from them, without a sacrifice OF their
lives and every thing they hold dear upon
earth
Your memorialists have heard with sur
prise that an objecti has been made 10 any
attempt 10 discuss the question OF obolition,
on the ground that II is calculated tn excite
instructions among the slaves. This OBJ
lection carries its own reiutation on its h2e;
for II insurrections are so much to be dread
ell ami 30 easily excited, II IS conclusive proof
that slavery ought Immediately TO be abo
hshed. ii the danger of instructions is so
great, does 1t not become prudent, wise and
brave nieD, TO meet and overcome II at once,
rather than wait ill the disPToporiieaate in
crease between the slaves aud the whites,
shall render the result OF such contest
doubtful? Are the people of Virginia such
dastatds, such il.nnaaa monsters, that they
VIII shrink from present danger, in order TO
deter II to future tune, that 1t may fall with
ten fold violence upon the reads OF their pos
terityP Heaven forbid that they should ever
subject themselves to such disgrace and inla-
my.
Such objections your fnemonaists regard
xtpaf (,t Al. T.
that they can have no weight with persons
capable Of much reflection. And they deem
II unnecessary to notice many other obiec-
teens OF the same character which have been
Hrged against any pubic investigation Of the
question of slavery. They therefore proceed
to state some OF the reasons why they wish
to see the great work of abolition immediate
ly commenced: of which the most prominent
are the following.
Slavery is IN Itself unjust and contrary 10
that great fundamental principle Of republi-
can government which asserts "that al men
are ny nature equally free and independent
An AXIOM which no intelligent aud moral
people will ever be Disposed 70 forget, and
which they canDot cGsscteiciousty disregard.
IT cannot exist except in violation OF the
golden rule which prescribes that we should
do unto others as we would have others to
Ae oHto uo - fusc oi ACTON NOrtuY 0i ttb
divine origin, and which will never cease 10
be held In the highest vcnerat:on as long as
the principles OF justice and humanity shah
continue to Influence the conduct OF men.
Ii has an obvious and irresistible tendency
to destroy the virtue and morasty OF our cI,-
zens, and TO lead them into idle and disso-
lutte habits.
Ii retards the growth Of our population
Virginia has a territory nearly one third
greater than any Of the old thirteen states; is
blessed with a delightful climate, plentiful
suil, and many OF the finest harbors and ma
vigablc streams in the world, and had once
the largest population Of any of the ,taLes,
her whole population is now less than that of
Pennsy lvania or New York, and she has few
or white inhabitants than other states which
have not one ioarth as much territory. In
1889 she bad 10 representatives in Congress
--Pennsy lvania had Sand New York had
6; she viii now be entitled TO 2l-Pennsyl-
vania to 2s-and New York to AZ.
1t mpaifs our national strength; for no
state can be powerful which is full of inter
nal enemies.
II is inconsistent with the true spirit of the
Christian religion, which teaches Us that all
men are equal in the eye Of God.
1t is degrading to our character as a ma
tion.-l. is degrading 10 our national charac
ter not only because II Is inconsistent with
the principle OF liberty and equality by which
we profess 10 be governed, but because thou
4 a =.