Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-12-17
y0LU MI a7.-NUMBEis AZ.

characters uniformed. become inmates OF this
institution and such are thrown in daily and
close association with negro convlcts aud The
vilesi and most degraded maleiactorS, subject
ed in all respects TO The same treatment and
discipline. The consequences are obvious
Many OF the better are degraded 70 the level OF
the worse class OF CONNECTS, and only a lew. oil
4 hrmer and higher style OF character, escape
the demoralizing influences of the practical
working ofthe system. Tue first step ! would
advise In the reformation Of this distressing
evil, is 10 remove the Gegro convict, thorough
" degraded in his social and political position.
The Penitentiary is TO him no punishment
Abundanily fed. comfortably clad, nursed m
sickness, in health worked moderately, aud for
the frs, time, in all respects, the equal OF a
white man, many, | have no doubt, regard
their condition as decidedly improved. The
white man, freed from his negro associate,
would not feel 50 hopelessly his moral degra-
dation. Less restless in consequence. he
would more cheerfullv obey the laws oftbe in
stitution. With increasing self-respect and re-
wing hope, he would with more alacriiy per
form his duties, aud thus the diseipl n eoetl e m
s~titution would be more easily maintained. aud
its productive industry. | doabtn not, materially
ut WHlOi 0Oh hdS h'AiHiNoNiN y u
aration of the negro and the white man and
our laws and our feelings approve il. Yet.
most remarkable! this fundamental difference
is entirely 2isregarded in our punishlnents,
and black and white are thrown into our Pen
itentiary, in all respects upon terms Of the most
entire equality. ] earnestly recommend this
reformation Of our criminal code IN relation TO
free negroes and molattoes.
- ~ IL Cn.l#L - C-.4.,I-. lat ave Iaf IN
our Penitentiary 226 c~onvicts, 81 of whom
were free negroes and mulaltoes, l1 white
~convicts born within Virginia. and 80 born be
yond our limits. BY the census of ls4O we
had in our State 1882 free negroes and mu-
lattoes, and 740,96S whites. Yet the free ne
groes and mu~lattoes, constituting about one
sixteenth of our free population excluding
foreigners contribute largely over two hfths
of the convicts OF our Penitentiary. By the
same census, we had 446,9S7 slaves of this
number fourteen only were transported FOR OF
fences committed within the past year. The
free negroes constitute only about one tenth oil
our negro race, and yet they perpetrate about
six-sevenths Of the crimes committed by it.
Our criminal statistics develope these results,
which / am satisfied are substantially correct.
They demonstrate the moral degeneration OF
the free negroe, the hopef.ssness Of his reform
the mischeyious influences of his association,
and the necessity Of his removal. Occupying
here that space which separates the white man
from the slave, he corrupis portions OF both
races. That he is a moral leper is deInonstra-
ted. That he will prove the ready instrument
of those, 10 be found in certain sections OF our
Union. VINO would kindle into fame our So
cial ediice, cannot be doubted. And thus it
is due to our owl quict and ~r-yvso, to the
preservation of FOUR dearest AMI most sacred
interests, that he should be removed. The
right to do so canno be questioned. The
great and eternal law of self protection puts il
beyond cavil or discussion.
In certain sections of our Union the free ne
gro is regarded as an American citizen, and
entitled to all the rights and privileges of that
proud and lofty station. We can send him to
those places. Indeed, ] am assured that he
will be received with pleasure. Removed by
communities, his domestic and social ties
would be preserved; and emigrated TO such
communities, while w would be relieves from
a most intolerable evil, he would have his
of lettering his condition greatly i'm
proved.
| regard our free negro population as one OF
our greatest evils, and 10 get rid OF II as one OF
our highest duties. Great as may be the APP
parent difficulty of acc ,mplishing this desira-
bic measure, il would dwindle into lnsignlf-
canoe, under a bold and decided treatment
But all | now propose is the passage of a law
providing that each county, at our next an
nual election, shall, have the right to vote up
on the question Of removing The free negroes
their respective limits, beyond the Com
monwealth-that all counties voting at1irtna-
lively shall communicate tae fact 10 the Elk
who shall be required to renove the
free negroes within such counties after SIX or
Twelve months notice; and that such popula-
lion shall not thereafter be permitted to reside
Such a law, dependen, upon the vote
Of the people within their respective counties,
t adopted in a single county-relleying the
man and the slave therein OF a great and
anmiuigable evil, infiiciing no inhumanliy up
IN the free negro. but, by placing him in a
community entertaining other and 1t may be
more generous views Of his rights and capa
actually improving his prospect and
his condiiion,-would command IT.
in a very high degree. TO our constituents,
md will, gentlemen, find favor, | sincerely
nope, with their representatives. Even u the
proposed law should not be adopted in a single
,ounty, its mere existence, with the power al
my time TO give j, vitality, would materially
I'D US in the managemen, of this unhappy
ace.
| have nothing 10 report as to the condition
II our Lunatic A~sylunis. for reasons adveried
o in the second paragraph of this message.
On the l4ih DAY of May, 1886, RorEgr
Esq. a Judge Of the Court OF Ap-
,eals, departed Tins life. The vacancy crea
ed by the death Of this distinguished lawyer
Ias not been filed. | offered il TO ions M.
'%ATroN, Esq, who, because Of the inadequa-
v OF the salary attached TO the Judgeshlp, Dc
lined il. Subsequently, several distinguished
iwyers were presented for my selection. each
t whom would, | have no doubt, make an
bic Judge. But, having been satisfied that
ne Court would be able to hold its regular SEES
ions, | declined to make the appointment, 1
il better in all respects TO cave it with
unembarrassed by my official action.
The large amount Of public business in the
'ourt of Appeals, is one OF the great evils of
UT government, and must be redressed. The
is a delay so grevious as TO
mount almost TO a denial OF justice. The or
mary time that a suit is depending in this
curt is seven years. The business therein
also accumula,ing, and there is no hope Of
under its present organization.
mean no reflection upon the members otthis
curt but its delays are great, are Increasing,
al must be diminished. This important re-
lit may be attained be requiring the Court 10
nc lapU ne tbprp iS huiSlupSS I'm Transact /. nr Il