Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-03-05
Friday ECeHstasg, .Yyrch =.
THE POLICE BILL.


House of Delegatesy Many of its Objectionable
features were modified to a more humane standard,
but several of them still oppressive. 1t is ra-
Their an indication of rigor perhaps, than rgor,
that the trial by jury is taken from the free ne
gro, and he in that respect, pu, footing with
slaves.
Had Congress adopted an equivalent step, we
should unquestionably have heard it reprobated as
invasion of the Constitution and the note would
have boon first struck, and loudest sounded by the
peculiar champions of this bill. We have long
observed that those who most dislike the exercise
of doubtful powers by Others are not the slowest
to assume them themselves. We do not assert
taat the free negro is wronged by this changes
that the Courts will not give him as good Justice
as Jaries; but the change is against liberty; is
recession towards despotlsm is wholly uniustified
oy any new facts; and is odous from its spirit if
not from its operation.
Another provision of the bill is still more 3D.
Pressve, and far more odous, becau Sc indirect and
lnsldious The General Assembly have refused to
compel free negroes to emigrate, and have thus.
either recognized want OF legitimate power in
themselves to employ coercion for such an object.
or confessed that it would be barbarous and inhu
man to resort to it. No other construction can be
put upon their expunging the compulsory feature
from the dePortng bill, for the policy of Kidding
the State of the presence of free negroes is con-
coded by nearly all. But what says this most
Christian Police Bil?-(it must be most Christ
ian, since most Christian citizen of Peter sburg
was vouchcd as authority upon the floor of the
House of Delegates, for its excellence--he it seems
who so unites Christian and Phanthropist, ,oarm.
ty approved of it.) What does it say? That those
free negroes who have refused to avail Intensely
of the means offered by the State to go to Africa
shall be denied the privilege Of exercising their
haadieraf arts! Most Christian indeed. And
not less Statesm anlike than Christian! How are
these people to iiue? Did ever Government before
upon the face of the earth, deny to its subjects or
citizens, the means of acquiring honest liyei.
hood! Did ever Government BEFORE instead OF
encouraging industry, prohibit it?( But, the Bill
meets the ''warm appreciation" OF pious gentle.
man OF Petersburg, and we suppose less pious
people have right to say nay.
1t cannot be presumed to be the object of the
House of Delegates to starye these people-nor yet
10 drive them into subsisting by roguery they
are denied the means of living honestly. What
then IS the object7 Undoubtedly to compel them
by taking the bread out of their mouths, and those
of their Children to fly to Africa-to extort that
involuntary CONSENT of which we whilome heard
30 much from gentleman who has a marvellous
knack of reconcing his actions to his professions
Now-we appeal confidently, buoyantly, to the
generous spirit of Virgna-is not this species of
legislation, indefensibly little, both as regards its
character and object? Has not the Common wealth
declared that she will not directly, compel these
people to leave her soil? And will she in three
weeks after the generous declaration, seek to do
that slyly, candestnely, by indirection which she
refused to do openly and avowedly? and Great
Heaven! do it how? BY prohibiting the exercise
OF tho mechanic arts, so necessary to the commu-
nifty, and patronized by all Governments as most
worthy from their utility, of encouragement. We.
rlly, We say again, most Christian and States.
manlike Bill, which, our postcrity, when they see
1T on the Statute Book, will be proud of, as illus.
tratlng tho expanded views, and comprehensive be.
nevolence of their progenitorsy
Another provision requires the certificate of a
freeholder to enable free negro to sell what he
has raised, and annexes penalty upon the purcha.
ser without the exhibition of such certificates the
effect of which will be, that nobody will regard it
except (as shrewd head in the House sagaciously
observed) the malicious who may have a spite
against his neighbor
This law, if it become a law, will not be execu
ted. Public opinion will dsdain to carry such q
law into execution. The man who shall enfore,
against the mechanic free negro, the provision
which for ces him to relinqush his honest industry
and thus to fly the country which he is helping by
his art, would be damned infinitely beyond all pos
oioility OF recovery. Ho would be glad after sucl
base exercise of power, to exchange skins ant
conditions, with the humble being whom he Cd
pressed Nor if gentleman wants pig, dozer
chickens, or a basket Of eggs, and knows the fire.,
negro, will he coDdcscend to require tho certificate
of a discreet free.holder.
Another provision subjects to penalty the persor
who sells to slave any article, without certifi
cato from his master, which is ~ be the commits
sion of such slave to purchase. A four pence hal
penny cannot be sent by your slave to market
without a certificate Of authorization. Does an
man imagine that such law will bo respected 70
moment1 For one, we will take the utmost plea
sure IN and first opportunity for, violating it.
Inc state of the country requires undoubtedly
many OF the provisions which this bill contains
and it is to DO lamented that the sauary portion
II is contaminated and nufed, by other prov
SONS SO Objectionable and inhuman. The enac
ments which we have cited as so harsh against tn
free negroes, have this additional reproach, tn;
tney were not suPerinduced by any misconduct
thers' The storm conjured up by the Southaml
ton instruction, has fallen chiefly upon tho
shoulders, who had no agency in it.
u The following Resolutions were adopted :