Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-11-03

ton, our glorious Independence would never have
been achieved. Never! Never!!
tGreat applause; and many voices echoing
Never.
know the predominant sentiment in the free
States is adverse to slavery; but happy in their
own exemption, from whatever evils may attend
it, the great mass Of fellow citizens there do
not seek 10 violate the Constitution o. TO disturb
the harmony OF these States. desire no con-
cealment of my opinions in regard to the institu.
ton OF slavery. look upon it as great evil and
deeply lament that we have derived !. from the
parental government and from our ancestors. |
wish every slave in the United States was in the
country OF his ancestors. But here they are, and
the question is, how can they be best dealt with
IL state Of nature existed, and VIC were about TO
| lay the foundations OF society, no man would he
more strongly opposed than ! should be to ncor-
porate the institution of slavery among its eo-
ments. But there is an incalcuabe difference
between the original formation OF society, and
| long existing organized society, with its ancen,
| laws, institutions and establishments. Now,
great as acknowledge, in my opinion, the evils
OF slavery are, they are nothing. absolutely moth
ing, in comparison with the fair create. evils which
would inevitably flow from sudden, general and
indiscrlminate emancipation. In some Of the
States the number of slaves opportunities towards
an equality with the whites, i'm one or two they
surpass them. What would be the condition of
the two races In those States upon The SUPPOSE
ton of an Immediate ancipaton. Does any
| man suppose that they would become blended in
one homogeneous mass. Does any man recon-
mend anal gamation--that revolving admixture,
alike offensive to God and MANI For those
whom He, by their yscal properties, has made
unlike and put asunder. we may without presump-
tuousness, suppose were never intended TO be
ljolned together In one of the holiest rites. And
LEI me tell you, sir, If you do not already know it,
that such are the feelings--prejudices ii you
please, (and what man claiming to be States
OyprlOpk r1 thp a
and unconquerabe prCjudices OF the People, in
the slave States that no human law could enforce
a union between the two races.
/ What then would certainly happen! strug-
gle tor political ascendancy: the blacks seeking
10 acquire, and the whites to maintain possession
of the government Upon the snpposiiion of a
general immediate emancipation, in those States
where the blacks outnumber the whites, they
would have nothing TO do bat TO insist upon a.
mother part of the same Declaration of Indepen-
dencc, as Dorr and his deluded democratic follow
ers recently did in Rhode Island, according TO
which an underlined majority have the rioht, at
their pleasure, TO subvert an existing Government
and institute a new one, In its place, and then the
whites would he brought in complete subject On
to the blacks contest would inevitable ensue
between the two races, civil war carnage, pllage.
confagration, devastation. and the ultimate exier-
minalon or expulsion of the blacks. Nothing
is more certain. And mol these evils far great.
er Than the mild ard continually improving state
OF slavery which exists in this coantryf say
continually improving; for if this gratifying pro-
gress in the apelioraton OF the condition of The
, slaves has been checked in some of the States,
the responsibility attach to the unfortunate
agitation OF the subject OF abolition. In cunse-
, quence oil 1t, increased vigor in the police and
further restraints have been mposed; and do
believe gradual emancipation Ohe only method OF
liberation that has been thought safe or wise
by any body in any of the slave Slates) has been
postponed half century.
Without any knowledge Of the relations in
which stand TO my slaves, or their individual
condition, you MIR. Mendenhal, and Your associ.
0 ates who have been active in getting up this pe
e tIton, call on me forthwith TO beratc the whole
q OF them. Now lei he tell you that some half do
r Zen OF them, from age, decrepitude or nfrmity
4 are wholly unable TO gain a livelihood Tor them
: selves, and are heavy charge upon me. Do yo,
think that should conform to The dictates Of hu
nanlty, by rIddlQg .RSSfie wf,rid, with The boor
OF iioerty' to end wretched existence in s,arva
\ llon! Another class is composed of heIpless in
, ian's, with or without improvident mothers Dc
5 you believe as christian that should perforn,
my duty towards them, by abandoning them 10
/ their fate! Then. there Is another class who
would not accept their freedom if | would give il
, ~ '''en,' nave Tor many years ow ned slave
that wished would leave me, but he will moi
What shall do with that class!
+, "hat my treatment of my slaves is YOU NAV
isaih rom Charles, who accompanies me on this
Journey, and who has travelled with mo over tho
greater part OF tie United States and in both the
Canadas, and has had thousand oppoduri,ies
u ne had chosen TO embrace them, to leave me -.
Excuse me, Mr.. Mendenhail, for saying that nv
slaves ale as well fed and clad, look AS sleek and
nearly, and are quite civil and respectful in
their demeanor, and as little disposed to wound
the FEELINGS OF any one, you are. (Grca, and
coninued laughter and applause}
Let me recommend you, sir, to initiate the he.
hevoient example of The society of friends in the
mldst OF which you reside. Meek gentle, imbued
WIN the genuine spirit Of our benign religion.
whist In principle they firmly opposed 10
slavery they do not seek to accomplish its ex-
"hc'lon ny foul ePiheis. coarse and vulgar abuse
ana gross caiumny. Their ways do not lead tbro'
blood, revolution and disunion. Their broad and
/ comprehensive philanthropy embraces az thew
believe, the COED and the happiness of the white
as well as the black race giving to the one ,hrir
comalsseraon, 10 the other their kinJest sy nina
/ my Their Instruments are not those of detrac-
tion and Of war, but of peace, persuasion, and
earnest appeals 10 the charities Of the human heart
! ohambIuous, they have political objects or
purposes to su5serve. My intercourse with them
lhfough lie has been considerable, interesting
and agreeable and venture TO say that notbinS
could have Induced them, as society," whatever a
lew individuals might have been tempted TO do. to
selZe ihe occasion OF my casual passage through
ms State, TO offer Inc personal jndionitv
| TINS part of Mr. Clay's speech was listened
10 Win deep and absorbing attention and was fol-.
lowed by loud bursts Of applause.1
| respect the motives Of rational a,o,itionists
VINO are actuated by sentiment of devotion to
human liberty, although 1 Jepore and deprecate
,ne consequences OF the agtating of the question