Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-02-28
FOR THE SPECTATOR.
MEN OF AUGUSTA!

A"Ei> vi hOOOSlA!
late Writer has made statement which is
startling to me. lie reminds us that the free nel
groes OF virginia have Increased four hundred nor
cent ia the last fifty years! BY similar progress
they VIII number Z4U,ooO IN the year 1900! NV
child now in the cradle and his generation will, 600
that time. His children, my grandchildren. will
see this class of our population Increased to mil
lion!
But it may be asked will no. many of them EN-.
igrate2 Where2 At the North, they arc met bv
the fierce abolitioniss, who protect none but runa
ways. On the part of the population at large, they
arc repealed by natural public sentiment. and by
disabilities. which forbid them to look there for a
home. Shall they turn To the West or the South 2
The laws of all the States there repel them. On
the East, they meet the ocean. They ,ciu be com.
PEELED to stay IN The State Of t,e' natiuiiy ~, -,
! But will not the whites multiply as well as the
| free negroes? Yes-but our SONS are aured to the
| rich aud vast territories Of the South and West-
Livery thing invites them abroad and there is no
hope that Virginia can retain her children for cen
tury to come to any extent comparable with the in.
crease Of her population. They will be foun! in
| California and in the new States opening up West
of the Rocky Mountains.
But sou .aug'sta," happy in her mountain
| home--may she not DO happy still, with her small
number of free negroes lie, us see. BY the cen
sus of 1910, the free blacks of our county were 42I
we will SUPPOSE they now number CPS. In the
|
25Oo, and in the year 1850, our grand children will
have 10000 of them, equal in number to one half
our present white population.
But will not many of these cmprate TO other
parts OF orr State 2 Where? Where will they
ind greater plenty? Where, better bacon in smoke
houses more accessible? Where, corn-cribs more
full and mere free? Whore a more generous and
indugent people? They ,oiH stay here, and null
'piy, and live as they live--a few by industry
ana honest labor--some on charity, and many by
depredalons on the earnings of others and by lille
gal traiiic with the slaves 1t must be so. All ex-
pcronce proves tall true history records it,
What shall be done? The Colonization Society
is DONG something. But its means are limited
Liberal and noble men among lis are contributing
literally to that fund. But that is not enouph.-
There must be united acton-legislaiive action
hUoke The Legislature Hen. Cali on the Stnte Go
vernment TO Ifnot for others, ask them TO en-
power your County Court 10 make an assessment
which may commence a work of double benevolence
TO ourselves and the free people of color among u.s.
DY procid'ag for their femOCdi, and settlement i'm
their fatiierland, where they may ike under smi-
lar laws, IN nation OF their color, and be ne,
as we are. In this way, we may do for them there
what we can never do for them herc-make them
men IN their freedom.
Can this be done! We answer, Yes. We must
support mem here-we can support them here,
Then we certainly can do what is less-we can re-
nioce Them there, where they can support them.
selves.
Let us see how it is. One man from one part of
the county, tells me he and few of his neiphbors
feed several families of blacks settled around them
y similar report comes 10 me from another part or
the county, and so suppose it is elsewhere Now
for $780, TIE Colonization Society takes an emiprant
| TO Liberia and settles him on small farm. which
is made his in fee simple. Leaving off 1875,
as children, whose expectation might be made in
the mass without cost, we have to provide for 500
at $50 each, which will be $4,000
| Suppose the white population of the county TO be
10000 capitaton tax of dollar and or
on the whole number would do the work at cncr::
( Is there man in the county, who would not raw
that sum most willingly for himself and his child,
rem? He might well feel he is making SPLENDID
speculation on the day he does it, and that he con-
fers on his children far better inheritance than tho
paltry sum expended would be if increased twenty
fold, bearing interest for fifty years. No man can
better afford to pay such tax than the 200, aara who
is met in competition of labor and underworked NJ
every point by this class of laborers. Tho man of
capital again is enriched by the advance on the va
lue of property through every healhul action of the
body polite, and therefore may well aurl TO encon
rage property tac for the object proposed--espe-
cially may this be predcated of the owner of slave
property. Aside from all mere pecuniary benefits
| the moral advantages which would accrue to both
races, are sufficient TO influence community like
ours whenever the subject shall be entertained. and
decided upon lis true merits. If the object proposed
were one OF ordinary Importance, the tax might be
regarded as heavy one-but compared with the
good purchased, il is like speculation in which a
small outlay is made 10 secure large and perma
nent revenue.
But ii may be inconvenient TO remove them all
at once Take, then three, or flee, or any greater
number OF years. But commence NOW, and let the
same law that empowers you 10 tax yourselves for
this object, provide that the free negroes from other
counties shall be prevented from emigrang 10 this
county.
People Of Augusta look to these things, and act
promptly Now 'c'ite The ccaiS yet ,uader'yor con
troL The results will be realized to you in pecu-
mary civil and religious blessings, which will flow
down through all time The rich inheritance of YOUR
child en-. who shall rise up in their generations TO
honor and bless you ARGUS.
FOR THE SPECTATOR.