Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1849-03-15
MANUFACTURERS, COMMERCE., AND
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Mr.. EDlToR: The Report OF the Select Com
mltiee Of The Virginia House Of Delegates ON the
subject OF the laws respecting fugitive slaves, Of
| wllch Hon. Z. J. Faulkner was chairman, on
/ pdge Z, asserts:
l. The New England States especially, not
wlthstapdng the admitted. nay, boosted s,erility
oiltheir soil. and the ungenia character Of their
climate, have in view Of the extent Of their popu-
lalion become the most wealthy communities in
iii, world 49,
jAllow me TO ask, Mr.. Editor, is there truth in
tHs above statement? Are the New England
States so much ahead Of the Ogd Doainioa, that
us should BE- admitted by the most intelligent Of
Vlrginla's sons, and be enrolsed among her legis-
laIive records va.
lii be true, which doubt not, there must be
lause and that Cause must be adequate 10 The
edscf. Is il attributable, as the report seems to
suggest, to their vast shipping aud commercial
interests? This may be IN part but as they on
N exceed Vuginia by about ten millions, not
u3,re than two millions year Of which canibe
ptsht we must look further for the real cause s
tftiak, Mr. Editor, the committee pointed 20 it,f
though asa subordinate one, enclosing il ia pa-s
rdnthesis Is Ms though it might a. well have
bfen ommltted, (s now become real ma nfactnr-
iIIg communties5by the help OF a free market at
We Soathl') lSee same page,l III
Let US look at the balance sheet on this last
ckuse. As long since as 1870, the manufacturer
Of New England were more than eighty two and
aIhalf millions, while those Of Virginia were but
eight and one-hrd millions, or were but one teutl
those Of New England
Allowing one-tlnrth for material purchased
abroad, and We find over sixty millions for the
'ehrniag and profit Of New England, against six
millions tor Virginia, or flty Jour millions an-
Iually in favor Of New Englaud-and as this di-
1rence has been and isrIlcreasing with accelera-
It'd veocity--the actual difference al the present
time wps. be eighty millions year. Il this be
sP, Mr. Editor, Il looks ike an inteliigibe and
Hrodigious effcct-capable at calling forth the
sfntence quoted in the Ieport-and that Il is so
no one who has attended q, all 10 the statistical
growth Of our country can deny sfsssasss
But Why, Mr. EDITOR, may Virginia enter
the lisis-suppiy her own markets--and eOmpele
successfully for some share Of so large prize /?
II there any natural obstacle in the way9 Are
Rot the natural advantages manilestly in her Ia
Nor Then il others thus prosper, Why supiuely
a,ld our hands and proclaim that slavery il q
Question bilife and death with us?" Allwronp,
Hr. Ednor, as intend to show. The tendency
W such sentiments is. lethargic feeling 10 all
9aher inftses,s and improvements whlchthes com.
inillee did not intend. 7f Tiff .5...ss ~
I'll But il other communities have thus eminenily
trnspered, under another sysem-as the CEN.
hiitee have fully sauested- WOULD il not have
9een well for grave statesmen 10 have suggested,
4iat possibly we might live, and even impl6ye-our
dondition,s like them, BY getting machinery to
work which would not, like negroes runamay- =
Why, MIR. Editor, knew one of those thrifty
Yankees, who employed some twenty men, tat
What is called mule spnnng.) when the mensre-
fused to work without advance of wages, he
discarded men, mules, and ell, and purchased
other machinery which dispensed with the mems
hbor altogether, aud yet performed more work
Than before. Better, lar better, Mr.. Editor, thar
dhe committee had recommended to sell one half
dhe negroes, and convert the price into The. most
improved machinery, which by the aid OF. our
great waterfalls might constantly run, and .the
3lme they run, fhe more they roud earn = But
fhich wouH run continually and nerer rund,cag
Though this might moi have been within the spe-
tifc line Of their Instructions. Ifihe cornmiftee.
we're not discharged would respectfully suggest
that they solicit the enlargement OF their powers,
10 inquire into andreport upon the expedieney of
jhe plan last suggested. But as presume tlat
The committee are discharged, wond recon-
mend for each citizen TO inquire into il for him
ielf.s Would not those who adopt this plan firs,,
Act wisest?
i would not be understood as depreciating the
Importance Of the subject the committee had I'M
Der charge but as pointing out 10 tie citizens q
more important subject or better way.
! BLUE MOUNTAIN