Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1836-05-12
SLAVE aY.

! in reference 10 the effect Of Domestic SIa-
very on the character Of the South
I'm the mean time may boldly as
sert that the frame work Of our south
ern society is better calculated to ward
of the evils Of this agraIian spirit.
which is so destructive 10 morals, 20
mind and TO liberty, than any other
mentioned IN the annals Of history
Domestic slavery, such as ours is the
can secure tina, spirit of equality among
freemen So necessary 10 the true and
genuine fesling of rcpublicaniSu. With
out propelling the body polite at the
same time into the dangerous vices OF
agrarianisin, and legislative informed
ding between the laborer and the cap
italist.-The occupations which We
follow, necessarily and unavoidsbly
create distinctions in socieiy;-lt is
said that all occupations are honora-
ble.-Thi; is certainly true, If YOU
mean TO honest employment IL dis
graceful. But 10 say that all confer
equal honor, il well followed even, il
not true. Such an assertion initiates
alike against the whole nature of man
and the voice Of reason. But what
ever may be the vain deductions OF
mere theorists upon this suhiSct, one
thing is certain--reason informed me Of
It's truth. long before experience had
shown IL 10 me IN actual lI(e-The
hirelings who perform all the menial
offices Of life, will not and cannot be
treated as equals by their employers.
And those who stand ready to execute
all oi our commands, no matter what
they may be, for nero pccuniary re-
ward, cannot feel themselves equal TO
us in reality, however much their rea-
son may be bewildered by the voice of
sophistry.
Now, let us see what is likely TO be
the effect OF universal suffrage i'm a
state where there are no slaves. FL
thcr the dependent classes. The laboIers
and mental servants, viii be driven
forward by the dictation OF their en-
ploy ers and the bribery of the man of
property. thus giving the government
a procliVity towards an ari.tocracy Of
wealth; or they become disconnected
with their condition, and ask, why
these differences among beings pro-
nounced eqaal:-they look with eyes
Of cupIdity upon the fortunes OF the
rich-The demagoguo perceives ;heir
ominous sullenncsS, and marks the ha-
tired which is raakling in their hearts
then the parties OF the rich and the
poor are formed-then comes the lcg.s-
lative plumber and the dark train Of
evils consequent on the spirit ct equal
ity, which is in fact IN such acommuui-
ty, the spirit Of agrarianism.
But in our slavehobling country the
case is far different. Our Iaboring class
cS and meni1ls are all slaves Of dit
ferent color from their master; the
source of greatest distinction among
the ireemcn Is taken away; and tn"
spirit OF equality, the true spirit OF
genuine republicanism, may exist
here, without leading on corruption on
the one side, or agraTlanisn on the 9TH
or. Political power is thus taken from
the hands Of those who might abuse Il.
and placed in the hands OF those who
are most interested IN judicious cxer-
else. Our laws most wisely ordains
that the slaves shall not be sought for
in public council, nor sit high in the
congregation: they shall not sit high
on the Judges seats, nor understand
the sentence of judgment; they cannot
declare Justice and judgment; and they
shall not be found where parab.es are
spoken. How can he get wisdom.
that holdcth the plough, that glorieth IN
the eoad, that drivc,h oxen aud is oc-
cupied IN their lnbors, and whose talk
Is bullocks - LycurSus, more than
two thousand years ago, an his cele-
braicd system Vt laws, was so we'll
aware Of the aristocIatic feeling gene
rated by diversity Of occupation. that he
dccfccd IA order that a perfect spirit
81 equality might reign among the
Spar,ans. that slavCs alone shorld prac-
tee the most lA0oIious arts e. fll the
mental stations And ~ this padicu-
lar he showed perhaps as much sara
city az IN any other law If tie hole
system. We want no legislation 40
VIZ aBAAAA W ~ NAN AttAa .Af . tffff y
spontaneously from our socisi system.
Bot willis, the political effects Of
our social system arc 50 re ruliady ben
efcial. the moral effects are no less
striking and advanta gcous.--l have no
hesitation IN affirming that tie relation
between The capitalist and lillYrer a.
the south - kinder and mos pfoduc-
tive Of genuine attachment, shan c2ists
between the same classes any where
else on the globe. The slave j. happy
and cOntcnicd with his lot. unless IN
deed tho very demons Of Pandemoni-
um shall be suffered 20 come among u
and destroy hiss happiness by their ca
luminous falsehoods add bypocnticel
promises. lie compare himself with
his own race aud his own ool1ur alone.
and he sees that all are alike--he does
nOg covet tho wealth Of .he rich man,
nor envy that happiness Which liberty
I imparts % the patriot, bot he identifies