The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1848-02-10

She is behind the ago at this day. There
is not the energy or capital among the PEG.
pie TO progress public improvements -
Leading minds there arc 10 conceive and
originate, but where is the people, or what
arc they, when called upon to mature tho
conceptions? Az well cali upon the slaves
themselves.
"A few years back Virginia proudly
stood the FIRST State in tho Union. New
York, free State, sprang up at her side
and is now the first. Pennsylvania cmsn.
cipoted her slaves sllcr such certain date,
and forthwith, as il crushing weight were
removed, she lifted herself up in her
strength, and is now the second State in the
Union. Ohio, buried in forest depths,
while tho greatness of Virginia was unri-
vailed as State, and tho home Of the wild
beast and still wilder Indian, has now assn.
med her place % tho third State ia The I'm
ion-and Virginia ut this time is barely tho
fourth. Even this position il will DO i'm
possible for her long TO retain-and IL sla-
very continue Tor fifty years in her boun-
darics, the State Of Iowa, which fifteen
years ago scarcely contained white in
habitant, will in population, in actual Grill
isaiion, rank high above the regal ''old do
minion," Virginia.
"By the way, while speaking Of slavery,
J should have mentioned the fact, that the
Shareholders Of this State nrc actually aDo.
i'fionisfs in ono sense, although our north.
crn abol'ionists have cfIcctually prevent
cd the emancipation Of slaves in Vircinin.
There is uodoubt Of tho fact, that if.hc aboli-
tionists, known SO BY name, had kop, quiet,
at this very timc Virginia would be
a free State. Two or .hrco years back
several public meetings were held in this
very city, appealing 10 tho Legislature or
Assembly, to cnacs some law Of emnncipa-
ton similar - that which has made Penn.
sy!vania a free state. Tho highest mon
in Virgins were active in getting up these
meetings. Willie every thing looked pros
porous, some Of our northern nboli,ionis.s
getting wind Of the matter, sent on LOT Of
"nti-slasery periodicals, which we're freely
distributed among slaves aud whites. The
consequences were exactly what any 9th.
or than narrow, higotcd minds could have
forereen. Indignation, ut interference from
such dctcstcd source, usurpcd tho place
Of every other feeling. Not another meet.
ing was held, nor WINS there man bold
enough to propose another"
The following reflections werc received
several weeks since, but our crowded col.
umns prccludcd their earlier publication.
Az the NJ. 8. s. was left with ~ 10 use
% best suited our judgment, We have ma-
terially abridged and altered il, 90 our friend
is 20 ardent On advocate Of tho cause Of
Temperance, that he is often led into tho
usc of expressions harsher than reason de-.
mands.
THOUGHTS ON THE LICENSE CUES
TON.
The passage Of tho act to submit the Ii.
censc question to the popular vote Of the
respective counties in Iowa by the former
Legislature, was huilcd with joy by every
freud Of moral reform. And the people by
declaring, through means Of their suifragcs
under that net, that licenses should not be
granted for IT,. sale Of ardent spirits in any
county in tho state, with two exceptions,
did more than the most sanguinc friends
ofshc measure had anticipated. Yet, not
withstandiag The law received tho sanction
of the Legislature, and the counionsncc
and support Ola loTgo minority Of the cisi.
zcns Of the State. il has in many instances
failed to ill the important purposes its I'D.
voca.cs anticipated. Not, spprehend,
from any real dslect in the Law, but from
. want Of proper application. That there
may be dcfscts in the law will NOT deny, for
when have 10 seen theory reduced 10 prac.
sice, Without prior experience, entirely per.
feet! But whatever may DO ito defects,
The law in it, legitimate application. j. en-
inenily superior to = license System thu,
gives tho sels power of~snulscsSring these
earthly halls % three county commission
crs.
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