Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1839-03-28

ing the portion of this extract contained
in the address of Mr.. MOORE, which it
is proper we should here correct. The
word "draws" was printed "denies,"
where Mr.. Mason spe axis of the effects
Of the principle avowed by Mr.. Craig.
Verify the ire of our Elk Representative !
against Abolitiouism, strikes us as being
quite as unnatural as his vote to hang
the Nullifiers, after having invited them
to Modification 1t would seem he was
sort OF god father to both the brats.
Tuesday, January 3lst, 1892.
FREE PEOPLE OF COLOUR.
The resolution of MIR. Jeniier proposing
an inquiry on the subject of removing the
free people of colour from the United States
and colonizing them in Africa or elsewhere.
came up for consideration; and the question
being on motion Of MIR. Boon, to postpone
The consideration of that resolution TO the
second Monday 10 December next
Mr.. Craig OF Virginia said: A fter the
occurrences of yesterday, il would seem 10
he hardly necessary TO continue the discuss
sion ofthis resolution further. l understand
the subject, in eXtenso, TO have been refers
red 10 a select committee by the order of
yesterday yet as was the other day inter,
rupted in an attempt TO offer some brief con-
siderations in opposition TO the pending mo,
iion 10 postpone the further consideration of
| this important subject until some day in De.
cember next, will avail myself ri the op-
portunity now afforded to offer them.
| The object OF the motion is maniesly TO
give to the subject the go>by-to deny il
that investigation which lis merits seem TO
me, SO imperiously to demand.
| The subject ought not TO be postponed,
| because the evil, the removal, or at least the
diminution of which Is contemplated by the
measure under consideration, is less now,
and consequently ,nore easily remedied, than
1t will ever he at any future time, unless il
be made 10 feel tho influence of some cor.
receive. The evil is already OF such appal-
! ling magnitude, that we can scarcely sun.
mon up moral courage enough to look il in
! the face. Ii is not only now thus appalling
by reason of its magnitude, but sir, we know
il 10 be OF daily, even Of hourly growth and
why if it be intended that any thing shall BE
done towards lessening or eradica.iug the
mischief, should there be any delay? Delay
II is clear, can have no better effect than TO
increase the difficulty of effecting the object.
And IN reference TO the pecuniary means OF
the Government, could any more auspicious
time be selected No sir, we are in some
perpleXi,y at this very moment about the
means OF reducing an overlooking treasury
| TO the diminished wants of the Government.
| What is there in the prospect before US TO
indicate change Of this prosperous condi-
ton there is nothing, ,here is not the slight
est speck OF war in our horizon Every
circumstance around US seems 10 indicate a
long continuance OF our present uneXampled
national prosperity, and to announce, EN-.
phatIcaliy 10 announce this, "the accepted
time" for beginning the great work. Sir,
we shall hnd in future nc more convenient
season. Let the present occasion pass by
unlmproved and il may be seriously doubt,
ed, whethe. one SO suspicious will ever offer
again. The means of .he country are now
ample, and public sentiment is on tho onward
march to meet and conquer this worst of ma :
nonai curses. Deny your countenance TO
the obJec', and the seal eff silence may be re-
affixed by the morbid sensibili,ies OF that
| part OF our community who are most inter
ested in and most endangered by The species of
population referred 10 by The resolution,
which cannot be again broken, by Ca use
ess powerful than that which lately had The
effect TO free the public mind from its nbi
CATIONS 10 deadly silence upon this subject.
Gentlemen, who, like myself, represent a
slave holding population, seem to dread en-,
croachments upon the rights of property
de not understand it to be the object oil any
OF the friends Of this measure 10 disturb
such rights in any other degree, than in that
which will be merely consequential do not
contemplate TO take from any master. his
slave without fair equivalent a, any time :;
certainly at this time there is no allusoD TO
The slave whatever. But sir, il it we're the
| intention 10 look beyond the free people of
colour, would say in answer to the objec.
| ton founded on the rights of property, that
the rights of persons are superior TO The
rights Of property l will conclude Mr.
Speaker, by saying that we who are cursed
with slave population, are in the situation
0fa indis idual who feels himself within the
draugbt OF an awful cataract. Shall we fold
our arms az d quietly descend upon our fate.
or shall We make vigorous and noble effort
TO rescue ourselves from impending desIruc-
lion.
| Ertract from tie reply Of Mr.. Mason of
"a, to Mr.. Cra1g's speech:
Permit me, sir, TO add the expression Of
my profound regret at the course which my
colleague who has just taken his seat, init.
mates his purpose 10 pursue, OF the assertion
| on his part, OF principle, which not only
draws TO the Federal Government iurisdic-
lion over this purely domestic subject, but
arrogales TO il authority paramount TO the
right OF private property right which
lies at the foundation of our social relations
and political Institutions