The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-07-15
THOMAS RITCHIE, THE ABOLI-
ZIONIST

|
THOMAS RITCHIE, THE ABoLI-
TIONIST.
! 1t was within our recollection that in 1882,
Mr.. Richie had taken a decided stand in ia
vor of abolition in Virginia. We recollect dis
tinctly that in responding to Gen. jackson Mes
sage, he spoke of the surplus revenue, or Virgin
las proportion of it fund for the accomplish
ment of that object. At that time Mr.. Richie
was paving the way for Mr.. V. Buren's advance
ment. 1t was important to conciliate Northern
Votes as well as to strengthen Mr.. Van Buren, in
Virginia. Mr.. Calhoun was then considered
rival interest, and because he was opposed to the
abolition of slavery, was charged with desire
to dissolve the Union. In his great desire to re-
concileVirginia to Mr.. Van Buren's anti-slavcry
notions, MIR. Richie himself urged upon the peo-
pie of Virginia the abolition of slavery. And,
incredible as it may appear to those who are now
so much opposed toit, so great was MIR. Ritchie's
influence that he came within three votes of abol-
ishing slavery! In the Richmond Enquirer of
January 4, 1882, Mr. Richie said: care we for
ever to suffer the greatest evil which can scourge
our land, not only to remain, but increase in its
Dimensions Something ought to
be done; means sure, but gradual, Systematic
but discreet, ought to be adopted for reducing the
mass of evil which is pressing on the South, and
will still more press upon her the longer it is
put off,"
| But we give below quotation at laISo, sIow-
ing that in 1882 Mr.. Richie, under the influence
of Mr.. Van Buren, and in opposition to Mr.. Cal
hsun, was for "suRE, GRADUAL AND SYSTEMATIC
ABOLITION. And if any thing can astonish those
who are familiar with the crooked policy of the
Richmond Enquirer, the public will be surprised
to learn that this same editor who was then for
abolishing slavery in Virginia, under the in6u-
ence of Mr.. Van Buren, and his abolition princi-
pies, is now denouncing General Harrison under
the pretence that he is an abolitionist. The fol-
lowing is an extract from the Richmond Enquir-
er of January I, 1882:
Ertraet. from the Enquirer Of jan I 1882.
But the two great subjects before the commit
tee are those that relate TO the colored popula-
ton of the State, and to its internal improve
ments. Upon neither of these is the committee
yet prepared to report.
1t 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. Gan done? Are we
forever to suffer the greatest evil which can
scourge our land, not only to remain but to in
crease in its dimensiona 'sWe may shut our
eyes and avert our faces if we please" says an
! eloquent South Carolincan, on his return from
the north few weeks ago, 'fbut there it il, the
| dark and growing evil at our doors, and meet
the question we must at no distant day. God
| only knows what it is the part of wise men to
| dc of1t hat nd
OF this am very sure, that the difference, moth
ing short of frightful, 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-lt is at the hearts core; it Is consuming
and all along has been consuming our vitals, and
| could laugh, if | could laugh on such sub
ject, at the ignorance and folly of the politician
/ who ascribes that to an act OF government which
is the inevitable effect of the eternal laws of
nature What is to be done? Oh. my God,
don't know, but something must be dohe.n
Yes, something must be done, and it is the part
OF no honest man to deny it-of no free press to
attemptto copceal it. When this dark population
| IS growing upon us-whea every new census is
but gathering its appalling numbers upon US
when, within period equal to that in which
this federal constitution has been in existence.
those numbers viii increase to more than two
millions in Virginia when our sister States |
are closing their doors upon our blacks for SALE
anu 0iiCA Ohf VhASSo dlC moving NeStTarUfK
greater numbers than we like to hear Of. when |
this, the fairest land of all this continent for soil
and climate, and situation combined. MIGHT be- |
come sort Of garden spot if it were worked by |
the hands OF white men alone, can we ought we |
to sit quietly down, fold our arms. and say to |
each other, eWell, well, this thing will NOT come
to the worst in our day; we will leave n to our |
children, grand children, and our great Grand
children, to take careof themselves, and 10 brave
the Storm" Is this to act like wise menu |
Heaven knows we are no fanatics We detest |
the madness which actuated these ag,;s des |
slois. But something ought to be done. Meas /
ures, sure but gradual-systematic but discreet. |
ought to be adopted for reducing the mass Of |
evil which is pressing upon the south. and will
still more press upon her the longer it is put off
We ought not to shut our eyes or avert our
faces. And though we speak almost without
hope that the committee or that the legislature
will do any thing at the present session to meet
this question, yet we say now, in the utmost sim
cerity of our hearts, that our wisest men cannot
give too much of their attention to this subject,
nor can they give it too soon.
The editor of the Pilot had been citizen of
Missouri, and member of the Convention that
adopted her Constitution. It became his duty
% look into the subject, and being alarmed at
he positios taken by mir. Ritchie he prepared
Ind published the following article in reply.
which appeared 10 the U. s. Telegram q few /