Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1845-06-27

IitOMAS CLhhhSON.
We were bred in the deepest vcnoration for thi.
ce celebrated Apostle Of the Abolition of the African
Slave Trade. We imbibed il with our mothers
milk and had it confirmed from our fathers lips.
In former days the labors of Clarkson, WILDER.
force, Fox, Burk and Sheridan, for the abolition
of the African slave trade, scarcely nina
ed more admiration for their philanthropy, or more
ardent aspirations for their success among the
humane of England than they did in Virginia.
From Thomas Jefferson down, public sentiment
was united, and took the lead of that Of Great
Britain itself IN action, in the adoption OF measures
for extirpating the African Slave Trade, that
scourgc of humanity and opprobrium of the chris
tan name.
And here let us pause an instant. and surveying
the past rapidly, estimate the effects ofthe rise and
satanic labors of that mischievous and detested sect
ofknavish fanatics, (ifthey are entitled indeed to
be considered fanatics, which comedies to them
honesty and sincerity, known as ..lmmediate Abo.
litionists." In this survey we will no, look beyond
Virginia, the only southern State of which we can
speak from practical knowledge.
Up then, to the period of tho southampton in.
surrection in 1891, We affirm that a large. an i'm.
mensc majority of the People of Virginia, favored
and passionaiely desired, the gradual and safe OK.
tinction Of Slavery in this Commonwealth, moved
to it BY no sickly and sentimental humanity for
the Slaves, the masses of whom they knew 10 be
the best fed and best cared for lsboring population
in the world, but an enlightened, sound and man.
ly consideration for the prosperity and happiness
of the country and white race, upon which they
knew that Slavery was a deadly incubus, which.
while it existed, would forever repress the ener.
gies of the Commonwealth, and condemn her to
that inferiority of station which unhappily she has
already found, in early and complete veri6cation
OF their patriotic iears-Washinpton, Jefferson
Madison, Marshall, Monroe, names how truly il,us.
trious'-names immortal names which ought
to call a tear of sensibiliiy into the eve of eyerv
Virginian, as that of Cato, in a degenerate ace
caused Helvidius Priscus to weep-these might,
names were at the head of those who desired 70
free the State from the curse of Slavery. when
time and opportunity and Justice to the master. per.
mitted the accomplishment of the Herculeap. bu,
not the impossible task.
The southampton Rebellion ensued in Auaus,
1881, and its immediate effect was to quicken and
bring to a head, the long cherished but the lono
slumbering anxiety Of the people Of Virginia for
a radiance of slavery. The subject was introdncod
in the succeeding winter of '3l.'32 in the Ho,s.
of Delegates. A band of young statesmen from
every quarter nearly OF the State, strong IN mum.
bers and powerful in talent-McDo well S,n.
mers, Roane, Randolph, More, Preston. Re,,v
BOlling-representiug every shade of political
opinion, united their efforts in favor of gradual
emancipation, and what was extraordinary and
unprecedented, but conclusive Of the state OF n.t,.
H. ....,an .oFFaan tho N.ta aE H.. H.
vor Of the principle of prospective emancipat;on
with compensation TO the master, at the first trial.
By that vote the Rubicon was passed. and bod
Virginia been then permitted TO pursue the policv
she unquestionably favored, at her own time and
in her own way. the thirteen years which Inv.
since elapsed, would have witnessed rapid nro.
gress in its completion, instead of fndiDg her q,
the end of that long period, exactly where the
Southampton rebellion left her. Then sprung I'M
the vile, the never enough TO be execrated. imme.
date aboliionists. Then commenced their ma.
china,ions against the peace and the lives of the
Southern People, and in favor OF the slaves. who's.
most deadly enemies they have proved themselv..
whom they have subjected to legal hardsbi,s
unknown before, and necessarily imposed now
whose letters they have doubled in weight. and IN
some OF lnt DtdltS IL iIdHts CiiDCleU DeTODd thC
possibility of unloosing. Then commenced l.,
these devils incarnate, that misrepresentation am
abuse Of Southern People, unequalled for ITS irno.
rance Of master and slave, unparalleled for il
atrccity, uncharitablcness and fiendish malipp;tv
What was the instant consequence of their off.
cious %medlling and audacious Interference in the
domestic affairs Of virginia. What could il he
bu, What it wasl-an immediate, tacit and unive,
sal suspension, not only Of all measures for e,pon.
cipation, but even of all thought of i'll In var,
were the miscreants informed that this would he
the certain effect Of their intrusive and most in
sulting interposition. We Ourselves took the boo,.
less trouble to warn their leaders by letter. or ,bo
infallible consequence. A sermon TO stones womb
have been as proftably preached. Abolition was
but lie pretence for dipping the ever ready TO be
duped multitude. the true design Of the Ieaiers.
Of the Garrisons, Leavitts, Birneys, since plainly
developed, was to organize n party, on whose
shoulders they might be transported to distinc.
ton, office, power, and emolumcnt. They ruin.
ed the cause in Virginia fr that generation at
least. No Virginian would consent to act with
such a crew. No man Of spirit would act or seem
to act, at the dictation or instigation Of that in.
cendiary brood. The warmest and most deter
mined friends Of emancipation, one and all, e1-
claimed, "Perish the Cause we love, rather than
appear even TO cooperate with that atrocious band
who denounce us as feloBs, man.s,ealers. and traf.
ickers in blood, and who are instigating the slaves
whom their iorcfathers sold among US, to fire our
houses and murder our wives and children I"
These in Virginia, have been the direct, the
palpablc, the admitted consequences Of Abolition
Vaccination, and we would fam call the nlten.
ton Of the whole North to the fact, that the true
People there may see fresh cause for delestation Of
that canting crew, whose whole career has been
tracked by mischief-whose labors have been pro.
ductiye Of nought, save TO inspire hatred, mistak.
en- and unjust, in the minds Of their followers
against heir southern brethren.
Into the rms Of these People, THoMAs CLARK.
son, we regret to soy, has thrown himself. Long
an ardent friend Of Colonization, he has abandon.
ed that for the tenets Of these designing knaves