Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1839-02-22

No one was rash enough to think Of throw
ing loose upon the community, ignorant and
unprepared, the untutored slaves Of the
State Many thought, and amongst them,
that as each Of the slave States had right
exclusively TO Judge for itself in respect TO
the institution Of domestic slavery, the pro-
portion Of slaves compared with the white
population in that State, at that time, was so
inconsiderable that a system Of gradual
emancipation might have been safely adopt
ed without any hazard TO the security and
interests OF The Commonwealth. And
still think that the question of such emanci-
patton in the farming States is one whose
solution depends upon the relative numbers
Of the two races in any given State. IL |
had been citizen of,he state of Pennsyva-
MIA, when Franklin's plan was adopted |
should have voted for it, because by no pos
sibility could the black race ever acquire the
ascendency in that State. But if had been
then, or were now, citizen of any of the
planting States--the Southern or South
western States-l should have opposed, and
would continue 10 oppose, any scheme what
ever of emancipation, gradual or immediate,
because Of the danger of an ultimate ascen-
dency oithe black race, or of civil contest
which might terminate in the extinction Of
one race or the other.
| The proposition in Kentucky for gradu-
al emancipation did not prevail, but it was
sustained by a large and respectable minori-
ty. That minority had increased, and was
increasing, until the aboltionists commenc-
ed their operations. The effect has been to
dissipate all prospects whatsoever, for the
| Of of h..
emancipation. The people Of that State have
become shocked and alarmed by these aboli-
ton movements, and the number who would
now favor system even of gradual emanci-
patton, is probably less than it was in the
years 1889. At the session of the Legis-
lature held in 1878. the question OF calling
a convention was submitted TO the consider
alton of the people by law passed in con-
formity with the Constitution ofthe State
Many motives existed for the passage of the
law, and among them that OF emancipation
had its influence. When the question was
passed upon by the people, at their last an.
nual election, only about oncfourlh Of the
whole voters OF the State supported cali of
a convention. The apprehension Of the
danger ofabolition was the leading consider
alton amongst the people for opposing the
call. But for that, but for the agitation OF
the question Of abolition in States whose pop
ulation had no right, in the opinion of the
people Of Kentucky, to interfere in the mat
ter, the vote for convention would have
been much larger, If il had not been carried
felt myself constrained 10 take immediate,
bold. and decided ground against it.
Prior to the agitation ofthis subject of alb.
BOLTON. there was a progressive Moderation
i'll the condition Of slaves throughout all the
slave states. In some of them. schools of
instruction were opened by humane and reli-
gious persons. These are all now checked;
itself in some localities, traceable. il is be.
lieved, to abolition movements and exertions
the Legislative authority has found it expedi.
ent to infuse fresh vigor into the police, and
laws which regulate the conduct of the
slaves
And now, Mr. President, il it were posi-.
BILE to overcome the nsurmountable obsta.
cles which lie in the way of immediate abo.
lltlon, let us briefly contemplate some of the
consequences which would inevitably ensue
One OF these has been occasionally alluded
TO IN the progress of these remarks. Ii is
the struggle which would instanianeously
arse between the two races in most of the
Southern and Southwestern States And
what dreadful struggle would it not be -
Emblttered by all the recollections of the
past, bby the unconquerable prejudices which
would prevail between the two races, and
stimulated by allthe hopes s. fears OF the fu.
tnre, il would be contest in which the exter-
mination of the blacks. or their ascendancy
over the whites. would be the sole alterna.
tive. Prior to the conclusion, or during the
progress Of such contest, vast numbers
probably, ofthe black race, would migrate
Into the free States and what effect would
such migration have upon the aborinp
classes in those States.
Now the distribution of labor in the Uni.
ted States is geographical the free laborers
occupying one side of the line, and the
slave laborers the other each class pursu-
ing It's own avocations, almost altogether un-
mixed with the other. But, on the SUPPOSE
ton OF immediate abolition, the black class.
migrating into the free States, would enter
INTO competition with the white class, dimiu.
lshlng the wages oftheir labor, and augmen-
ting the hardships oftheir condition.
This is not all The abolitionists strenu.
ously oppose all separation OF the two races
confess TO you, sir, that have seen with
regret, grief, and establishment their resolute
opposition to the project of colonization. No
scheme was ever presented TO the acceptance
ofman' which, whether it be entirely practi,
cable or not, is characterized by more un.
mixed humanity and benevoence than thai
loiiransportlng, with their own consent the
Tree people OF color in the United States to