Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-01-30
Extract from, Mr.. Brucs's Speech.

which Is nothing IN the opinions VI eo"e Se"
men. but TO the lives of men. The gentleman
from Buckingham, a few days agn, sketched with
graphic pencil, and in glowing colors' all the
horrors ofusurrecton--he pointed to US tne corses
of men, women and children, butchered by the
ruthless assassin. With this horrid sketch be-
fore us, torturins OUT imagnations and narrowing
our feelings, we charge gentlemen to dismiss this
subject. This Is no speculative danger with US,
it is palpabe and appalling, and if gentlemen are
found on this floor, openly advocating general
system Of emancipation, need we be surprised az
the RESULT To those who reside in parts OF the
country where slaves are not numerous, with tne
best feelings on their part and with the most PHI
lanthropc mo tives, it simposslbe to estimate the
extent of the danger; here it is real, it is felt
You are exciting in the minds Of our black po-
pulatiOn hopes that can never be realized. You
are holding up to their deluded eyes, the torch OF
liberty, which gIinmers for moment, and is then
obscured forever. Their happiness Is converted
to misery, their content is changed to dlscontent
and soon this iipens into rebellion For their
sakes. then, if not for ours, beg gentlemen to
push this matter no farther.
There are some among u.s. MIR. Speaker, who,
while they dsclaim all expectation of any bene-
fit to be derived from these views of the Com
mttee, insist upon the reference as an experiment,
from an unwiIingness to suppress investigation
TO all such, beg leave here to remark. that the
enquiry is dangerous enquiry, and the expert
ment full of hazard. Our wisest legislators and
most liberal and enlightened philauthropists. while
they have deprecated slavery, have, at the same
time, uniformly concurred in its necessity. They
have always resisted any investigation. believing
it useless and in no way subscribing the interests
of policy or humanity. If this reasoning was
lust then, how much more so is it now, while we
are treading as it were on the heel OF recentin.
surrection. The public mind is excited. and it
ought to be pacified; fears exist, and they ought
to be allayed Instead of pouring oil on the waves,
we are exciting a storm in this House, which will
soon 20 abroad, and beyond the control of those
who have excited it. TO those, Mr.. Speaker,
who believe that emancipation is safe, is practical
BILE, who honestly think they see their way clear
| ly through this dark labrynth, have nought to
say. hut Is God speed YOU" if you succeed, you
will have earned lasting honors from a grateful
country. For my own part my expectations fall
| far short Of this, fear we have already pushed
this discussion beyond the limits of prudence;
fear the rumor of this debate may have already
gone abroad among our slaves, and shall not be
a, all surprised, if the next breeze that sweeps
by our Capitol, should be charged with the tidings
Of insurrection. One thing do feel assured of,
IL
sion, but much mischief, and in giving this pub
lie expression of nv sentiments TO the House.
am confident that have pursued the line of my
duty. duty which owe to my constituents and
my Country
Extract from Mr.. Boaing's Speech
| The question af abstract right IS not ques-
ton now, at all, proper to be mooted-for the sys.
TEN Of slavery. now existing in this Common
| IL g 4. h,,ka
entailed upon us by our ancestors. The position
he should take in the discussion OF this question
was one Of policy-nay, Sir, Of self-preserUation.
The advocates OF slavery, while drunk with pre-
iudce. exclaim--we are sober. 1t has too long
been the Measure of those who are welded to a
system Of slavery to brand all its opponents with
opprobrious epithets. To represent them as enc
mics to good order, as persons desIrous OF tear.
ins up the foundations of society BY the roots
thereby endeavorug to render them odiOus-to
brand them with infamy-tO avert from them the
public ear, that their voices may be lost IN air
as the voice of one crying aloud in the wilder
ness.' This, IF itself, Is an incontestibe proof
that they are conscious Of the weakness of their
cause. No man, who it firmly convinced that he
is sustained by reason and justice, hesitates to
confront his adversary. He, and he alone, who
stands self-convicted shrinks from scrutiny
therefore he acts unwisely, in my Judgment, who,
avoiding dispasslonate consideration OF SUBJ
ject. seeks to entrench himself behind the false
opinions and prejudces of society. Sir, it is
ac,t admission that reason and justice are against
him. aud that he '.wants none of their reproof."
| This, Sir. is grave and important subject
one that ought to be, and UiA be, considered
Its importance demands that it should be consl-
dered and debated here; and not. as some gen
trmen think. a reason that it should be passed
in silence, and acted upon in secret Nor, Sir,
our action should be calm and dispassionate-
but open. bold and manly. Sir. that it is an
evil-a great and appalling evil-he dared be-
lieve no sane man would or could deny. No,
Sir. can it be denied that it deprives US OF many
of those advantages, facilities ard blessings which
we should enjoy, had we more dense white po-
puIation. Tint it is blighting, whitening curse
upon this land---is clearly demonstrated by this
very discussion itself. For gentlemen have told
US it has created morbid excitement through.
out this whole ommonwealth-which it was Of
the utmost inheritance to alldv.