Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1842-12-21
GOVERNOR MCDOWELL.


Extracts from the speech of Mr.. McDowELI, of
Rockbridge on the ''slavc question" in the House
of Delegates of Virginia, 2lst January, 1882
Extracted from the DAILY RICHMOND WING of
March 2sth, 1882.
subject (which will waken up throughout the continent
of America deeper response of sympathetic feeling, and
will comprehend, in its final results wider range upon in
elecua and moral and christian man. than any which
the Legislature OF Virginia has ever been directed"
Ths policy, (emancipation,) which has long been
pressed by unmanly prehensons smotheed the dea
Of mpractcable benevoence dscoused of by the states
only his closer and breathed by the christian only
silent prayer for his country This policy, thank Heav-
last be debated in the face of dayin the face OF
assembled multides-can be brought for judgment the
bar OF reason, and searched and decided by the lights
truth" "A powerful and most eloquent exordium, all must
feel who have aste and confess who have cundor-ED)
"'Ths enquiry (wheiher the white negro the
available agent of producton) have been
estopped by the general believe universal concession that
slavery evil" What say Mr.. McDuie and the $.
Carolina School TO this Democratic postulate 2.-ED.l
"Whl. however, it is admitted, that slavery is a hostile
principle in any society and government especially
like ours, and therefore ev" it is nevertheless main
tanned 10 be an evil interviewer with the habits and
rights OF people, to be incouigble by any
consistent with these, and the time within our
reach and upon this double of the case the efficacy
well proprety of legsatng upon 1t, is challenged.
Your Committee declare that Legislation at present. is
inexpedient.' The amendment proposed declares the
conary and believing that the amendment takes the true
ground, shall endoavor TO sustain it,
"Whaever it may have been, it part OF egisa-
duty this day, enquire whether Slavery does or
does consist with the first and leading principles Of
Republic it necessary determine whether the per-
mission Of here, does form of the most striking
instances upon record of people resolutey violating
wards Others, that principle OF absolute freedom which
they erected their independence"
Sir if our ancestors had cxerted the irmness which
under higher obligations ourselves called upon TO
exert Virginia would this day. have been mourning
the legacy of weakness and of sorrow that has
left hershe would have been thrust downtown in
cupes in the Coniedeacy, whose she had ed-shc
would be whitening under the eprosy which piercing
her TO the heart"
"Who that looks this unhappy bondage Of unhappy
people in the midst of society and thinks Of its
dents its issues, but thinks of it upon him who
inlicts upon him who suffers it ''
81 would not apply this mode gradual liberation and
remova except the private election OF the owners to
the slaves no1 in estenee bat only those hereafter
torn These, and these only should be made the objects
OF positive law. If the holders of these decline voun
tay surrender of their claim them then, in the first
place. this claim should be purchased by the State bu
If the State have not the OF making the purchase
then this claim should be forfeited the State in such
should best preserve the interests of individuals
without hazardng much the interests and the safety
! the Commonwealth"