Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1842-11-03

i9'aho, oSSofofHp ~ winch Hu uuntboS,
mejority have the right, al their pleasure
10 subveri an existing government snt
Institute new one, IN the place, and then
the whites would b. brough, into complete
subsection To the blacks A contest
would inevitably ensue between the two
races. civil war, carnage, pillage, contla.
grafton, devastation, and the ultimate ex
termination or expulsion of the blacks.
Nothing is more certain. AID are not
these evils far greater than the mild and
continually improving state of slavery in
this countryl say continually ifpptov
ipg for il this gratifying progress IN the
amelioraiIon OF the condition OF the slaves
has been checked in some OF The States,
the responsibility must attach TO the I'M
fortunate agitation Of The sublec, Of aboli-
ton. In consequence Of it, increased RI
sor in the police and further restraints
have been imposed, and | do believe that
gradual emancipation (tbe only method
of liberation that has ever been thought
safe or wise by any body in any Of the
slave Slates) has been posipon' d half a
century.
Without anv knowledge Of the rela-
lions in which stand 10 my slaves, or
their individual condition, you, MIR. Men
dephall, and your associates who have
been active IN getting up this petition, call
upon me forthwith to llbrrate the whole
OF them. Now let me tell you that some
half dozen oi them, from aye, dec,eptl.
tude, or iniirmi,y, are wholly unable TO
gain n livelihood for themselves, and re
a heavy charge upon me. Do you think
| that | should conform to the dictates OF
humanity, by ridding myself of that
charge, and sending them forth into the
world, with the boon Of liberty, TO end
wretcbed existence in Starvation. Ano.
| Their class is composed of helpless infants,
with or without improvideni mothers. Do
you believe as christian that should
perform my duty towards them by absn.
doning them to their fate Tnen, there
| is another class who would not accept
their freedom if would give il to them,
have Tor many yeas owned slave, TINT
! | wished would leave me, bat he will not.
| What shall do with this class
] What my treatment OF NV slaves is,
you may learn from Charles, who accom-.
ponies me on this journey, aud who has
travelled with me over the greatest part
OF the United States and in buta the Can.
adas, aud has had thousand oppottuni.
ties, Il he had chos q To embrace them, 10
leave me. Excuse me-, Mr.. Mendenhal,
f,,re stnx wall End
and clad, look as sleek and heaity, and
are quite as civil and respectable in thti,
demeanor, and as little disposed 10 wound
the feelings of any one, us y"u are.
Great and continued laughter aud ap-
pIause.
Let me recommend you, sr, to imi ate
the benevolent example OF the society OF
Friends in the midst Of which y.u r, SIDE
Meek, gentle, imbued With the genuine
sprt OF our benign religion, whilst N prn-
ciple they are firmly opposed 10 slavery,
they do not seek 10 sccomplIShi its oxiinc-
abuse and gross calumay. Tnclr ways
DO not lead through blood, revolution ami
disunion. Their broad and comp,ehcn-
~ive philanthropy embraces, as they BE-
1--we, the good and the happntss oil the
white rs well rs the black race; giving
to the one their com ii"r,t on, 10 the
other their kIndest sympathy. Their IN
sirumeDts are not those of detraclun anJ
of war, but oipeace, persuas on, aud ear
nest appeals to the charities OF the human
heart. Unambtious, they have no pol i
zeal objects or purposes to suhserve. My
intercourse with them throug bout hle h s
been considerable, interesting and agree.
able; and | venture TO say that nothing
could have induced them. as a society.
whatever few individuals might have
been tempted to do, 10 seize the occasion
Of my casual passage through this State,
TO offer me a personal indignny.
This part Of Mr.. CIay's speech was
llstencd to with deep and absorbing etten-
ton, and was followed by loud bursts OF
applause.
| respect the motives Of rational aboll-
tionisis, who are actuated by a sentiment
Of devotion to human liberty, although |
deplore and deprecate the consequences
OF the agitation Of the question. have
even many friends among them. But
they are not monomsniscs, Who, surrend-
ering themselves 10 a single idea look al
toge ther to the black side Of human life.
They do not believe that the sum tolol of
! oil our efforts and all our licitude should
be abolition. They believe that there are
duties TO perform 10 the white man as well
as the black. They want good govern
meni, good administration and the gene
raj prosperity Of their country.
shall, Mr.. Mendenhall, take your Pc
ti,ion into respectful and deliberate con-
sderotion, but before come 10 a final de-
cison, should like to know what you and
your associates are will ng TO do for the
slaves in my possession, # ! should think
proper to hberate them. own about fifty,
who are probably worth fifteen thousand
dollars. To turn them loose upon socie-
ty. would be an act of cruelty. Are you
willing to raise and secure the payment
of fifteen thousand dollars, for their bene-
nj. if | should be induced 10 free them
The security Of the payment Of that sum
would materially lessen the obstacles IN
the way of heir emancip' ton.
And now, Mr.. Mendenhall, | must take
.cl Ic.va or vou We spnarafa as