State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-02-02
MONTPELIER, (vT.) FEBRUARY 2, 1896.

power of Congress on this subject, and
without any of the apprehensions with re-
gard to the effect of its discussion upon
the public peace and safety, which has
been made the subject of such glowing
descriptions and gloomy anticipations, here
and elsewb they fearlessly announce the
truth in regard both to slavery and the
slave trade, and urgently appeal to Con-
gress Gas the only body invested by the
American Constitution with power to re-
lieve them"
Isubmt, Mr. Speaker, whether it is not
time that these petitioners, sustained as they
are by the concurrent supplications of their
Northern brethren, should be heard and
regarded; and whether the fact that eleven
hundred citizens of this District have sign
ed the petition which has just been read
is not sufficient reply to the argument
which has been drawn from considerations
connected with regard to the public safe
ty.
But further: The subject of the aboli-
ton of slavery, it is well known, was fully
debated in the Legislature of Virginia in
the year 1882, when the injustice, tyranny,
and oppression of the slave system were
openly and boldly mantained;* and an eff
fort was seriously made to commence sys-
tenn of abolition which should look to the
final, and not distant, extinction of slavery
in that State. And did that discussion pro-
duce any symptoms of instruction among
the slaves? No, Sir. And why, indeed,
should it? If you, sir, were the owner of
one hundred slaves, and should seriously
set about measures to give them the boon
of freedom, do you think that the first init
nation of it would beget in them spirit
of rebellion, and that it would rise in pro-
portion as you should advance your benev-
olent plans towards their contamination?
To suppose this, is to suppose what want
evidence to believe of the African race
that they are SO lost to gratitude as to find
no inducement to its exercise in such a
manifestation of benevolent regard for them
as this.
Suffer me, sir, 10 dwell few moments
longer Oh the indications of opinion in
Virginia on this subject, pending the agita-
ton of the question in the Legislature OF
that State. While the subject was before
committee of the Legislature, the Editor
of the Richmond Enquirer, well known
leading public journal at the Seat of Gov
eminent of Virginia, said:
at is probable, from what we hear, that
the committee on the colored population
will report some plan for getting rid of the
free people of color. But is this all that
can be done? Are we forever to suffer
the greatest evil which can scourge our
land not only to remain, but to increase in
its dimensions? we may shut our eyes
and avert our faces if we please writes
an eloquent South Carolinian, on his return
| from the North a few weeks ago. bul
there it is, the dark and growing evil, al
our doors; and meet the question we must
at no distant day. God only knows what
it is the part of wise men to do on that
momentous and appalling subject. OF hiS
| am very sure, that the difference-noth-
| ing short of rightful-between all that
exists on one side of the Potomac, and all
on the other, is owing to that cause alone
| The disease is deep seated; it is at the
hearts core; it is consuming, and has al
along been consuming our vitals, and
could laugh, if could laugh on such sub
ject, at the ignorance and folly of the poll.
tician who ascribes that to an act of the
Government, which is the inevitable efftc
of the eternal laws of nature. What is tC
be done? Oh my God don't know, bu
something must he DONE
Yes, something must be done; and it j.
the part of no honest man 10 deny it; of nc
free press to affect to conceal it. Wher
this dark population is growing upon us
when every new census is but gathering it.
appalling numbers upon us; when within
a period equal to that in which this fedora
constitution has been in existence, thos,
numbers will increase to more than 1900
600 within Virginia; when our siste
States are closing their doors upon OIL
blacks for sale; and tGhen our tVhiies an
moping aoeStioardiy in greater numbers thai
t0e like to hear of; when this, the faires
land on all this continent, for soil and eli
mate and situation combined, might becom
a Sort of garden spot if it were worked b,
the hands of white men alone, can zoe, ough
zoe to sit quietly down, fold our arms, ant
say TO each other, well, well, this thin,
will not come TO the worst i'll our day. w
will leave it to our children and our grand
children and great grandchildren to tax
care of themselves, and TO brave the storm:
Is this to act like wise men? lleavel
knows we are no fanatics. We detest tn
madness which actuated the .4nliS dcS .Noirs
But something ought to be done. Mean
sure, but gradual, systematic but discree
ought to be adopted for reducing the mas
of evil which is pressing upon the Soutl
and will still more press upon her the Ion
ger it is put off. We ought not TO shut on
eyes nor avert our faces. And though W
speak almost without hope, that the com
mittee or Legislature will do any thing, 4
the present session, TO meet this question
| -----
The gentleman who oDened the debate on III
side Of abolition, said; at was truth held sacre
by every American and by every Republica
; throughout the world, and he presumed'it coul
not be denied in that Hail. general principle
that il is an act Of injustice, tyranny, and oppre
sion, to hold any part OF the human race in bondae