Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-12-12


vanccnent in the profits Of the State large from that
source, but very highly improved appearance in the
race oil the country itself IL worthy of remark that
whilst Virginia has extended W ith great ibcry as
sIstance to education and works of mprovc she has
never gwen to Agriculture any encouragement whaev
or. This is the more surprising when reflect that
upon inns great pursuit rest all the interests OF society
Let agriculture flourish and prosper and no occupation
oil society will fail 10 thrive. There have been al all
times, too in the legislature large number of men,
bers engaged in and identified with agriculture but up
10 inns Time they have been 10 labor for other
interests thought to be OF more prcssing Importance
and TO postpone with liberal dsntcrcstedress that
which perained more particularly their pursuits.
~ mere Is IN the commonwealth pursuit which de-
serves encouragement from the Legislature undoubtedly
IT Is agriculture If you take the planters, graiers and
ana FARMERS Of Virginia together, they constitute body
unsurpassed for all the qualities Of intellect and charac
ter that adorn people; and, il adopt
Gu ny the legislature 10 concentrate their efforts for the
advancement OF their occupations very little time only
would be required TO improve the agriculture of the
,. State TO its highest pitch.
oil OF the last session. providing for the appoint
nent OF an agricultural chemist for the State was one of
great merit aud calculated promote the interest of The
Importance. $500 - W. ~
would also recommend TO the favorable considera-
non OF the legislature the propriey ofappropratng
nua'iy such sums OF money may be necessary ss
tam properly organized State Agricultural Society,"
inns course has been pursued by several states of the
Nof'h and IN every case with beneficial results. The
annual appropriations of New York for this purpose a.
mount 10 about $4,000 and far can learn have
given inc greatest impetus TO agricultural prosperity in
You will perceive from the report of the superntcn-
dent o the pencntiary, that this institution continues
10 be prosperous and useful. The order and system
which characterize its strict discp-
inc' and as large profit nc realized from prison
labor concur fully the suggestion of the supcrin-
tendent touching the minimum of inprisonment-
One year is wholly inadequate for any beneficial effect
upon the prisoner the term is too short to acquire anv
knowledge whatever Of trade, whilst the degradation
ana disgrace great FOR the longest period of
confinement The labor OF the convict for short Pc
rod VIII be wholly unproductive the state, and the
term OF discipline too short for hope of reorma
ton The transportation of the Offenders from the
moe parts 81 the commonwc alth will be serious etn
OF aaui'i9na expense am satisfied that the minimum
period oil punishment in the pentcntiary should not be
less than three years; gives time acquire some
knowledge of trade whilst the discipline FOR that
length OF time will afford hope OF rcformat ion
For crimes OF less magnitude than those deserving this
length Oh confinement imprisonment in the county jail,
ana me ni'iciion OF corporca punishment, would
to satisfy the ends of Justice.
also transmit you report Of the adiutant general
relative the condition of the volunteer companies in
the state The views it embraces, recommend your
particular attention.
Recent events in the campaigns of Mexico have do.
monstrated the utility and efficiency Of this description
OF troops, even in an army invasion For purposes Of
defence at home, they would be scarcely if ALL ine
or 10 regular troops Virginia possesses peculiar ad-
vantages, growing out of the of education her
military institute, for rendering this of the militia
perfectly effective. The encouragement Of volunteer
companies in the large and cities Of the
wealth is most obviously proper ard TO this end is
very desirable that the men should be exempted from
service upon jurics. The i'll time and y.
sariy imposed upon the members Of volunteer compa
mics, is very and when augmented by the pro-
bable call to serve in the jury box is rendered insup-
portable TO men who depend upon thor personal
duty would be Of great encourag to the
volunteer system and therefore recommend it the
| Legislature.
men OF talent and responsibility having for its object the
collection and preservation of all the facts
with the history OF Virginia The usefulness o. such an
association evidently matter OF the greatest impor-
tance 10 the proper calculation of history. Ii is TO
be feared that many valuable facts rrcmcdiabIy
through the neglect of this precauton. The warfare
which won the territory of Virginia from the aborgines
OF the country of the remark able be met
with IN the records Of any country. Expeditions of the
greatest danger full Of important consequences to the
infant settlements, frequently undertaken promp
ted alone by indv dua proves and enterprise This
desutory conflict, being perpctually wagcd, resulted
nnaiy IN the conquest OF territory TO the banks
the ONO In ITS progress mary of thrilling in
terest characterized the strife These incidents will b,
regarded by future generations essential. monuments
OF our title to national glory and
This society has already entitled itself TO the graft
Jude OF The State, from the publications it has made
connected with the early voyages 10 America Virgin;
owes 1T to herself to give her legislative countenace
and assistance to this mcrtorous undertaking.
The attention Of the Legislature has been earnestly call
CD on several occasions TO the subject OF the free
population in the commouwe alth, but yet system
has been adopted concerning the future disposition
them am strongly inclined to think that the most fa
sibc plan yet proposed reduction of their nun
bcrs Is to give ample assistance TO the Colonization So
ciety he best and wiscst of nation have Civ
en- II 'her conntcnance and support and cannot per
ceive that any practical improvement il has
| particular attention.
herewith transmit to resolutions OF The MissOur
legislature touching the subject of federal interference
with slavery They are wise, temperate and patriotic
such as must command the respect aud appreciation
cry Virginian.
also transmit resolutions Passed by the legislature
New Hampshire, OF opposite character upon the
SUBJECT IL Is painful to s:c principles and opinions ST
dIsOrganILing and runous tn tendencies thoS
embodied here taking deep n the minds aud fee!
ings oi people so richly deserving Of admiration il
many particulars those OF New Hampshire.
TINS fearful question agitatiug the country in IL
entire length is fraugbt with the moincntou
consequences, and upon which the destiny of tb
Union itse seems to hang The 'ircc soIl party CLAIM
TOR congress the right TO exclude slavery from all tho
terrtores of the United States and acting upon this
assumption they declare their purpose Of prohibiting the
southern man from emgrating with his slaves any
the national domain not erected into slave stale
" is difficult for those beyond the influence of the IA
natjcism which suggests and sustans these dangerous
and d,sorganzing doctrines bring themselves be
cvc that such gross injustice and wrong could be scri
: cusly thought OF by any dcberatye body. The ten
n dcncy OF the movement is directly to dsunon: the
summation Of it will be the overthrow Of free insti
'utons Ilany great question of human liberty was in
yolycd IN the issuc u any grand or striking system
policy, affecting The glory OF the nation depended upo
S its success then there might be found 4
p excuse the jeopardy into which the country is plunged
i by IT. But we look III vain for any justification OF tn
" sort. The movement originated in wild lanaticism
5 and is persisted i'll from wanonncss aud lust
philanthropy for the negro slave is offered, TO
the revolving features Of the black treason against th
constitution Of the nation; for there would not be
slave the less in all America should congress ap
Is pend the "Wilot Proviso every law upon the
tutc book. IL this party sincere in their desire
TO wipe out sI,c blot of slavery" from American soil
" they should eek introduce it into that portion Of on
10 country where the climate soil and productions wou
rs all appeal with power to the master to bcrate The slave
" Let the slave be carried where he is burthen rahc
than Of profit, aud self interest w prompt hi
liberation there, much certainly tian the zcalou
efforts Of disntcrcstcd pcty in the regions where cot
at ton and tobacco grow But the tender consideration
Of the "Grce soilcr for Tho African. confines him orevc
in the country where il profitable TO keep him in per
pctual bondage IL is very evident that the slaves
Nir.ffi nd Ky xvgr. q