Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1849-03-16

Kenlucky, as to whit may be fitting aud proper
for her interests. III she should abolish slavery,
Il would BE- her duty, aud trust that she would
I've as ready ~ she now IL, TO deirnd the slave [
States in the enjoyment Of all their lawtul and +
constitutional rights and her power politically
aud physically would DO greatly increased
for the one hundred and ninety odd thousand /
slaves and descendants would DO gradually
superseded by an equal number Of white in
habitants, WHO would he estimated per cnpitu, |
aud not by the federal rule Of three fiiths pre-
scrilled for the colored race In the Constitution
of the United States.
have thus, without reserve, freely expressed
my opinion mud presented my views. The IN.
teresting subject Of which have treated would
have admitted Of much enlargement but |
have desired TO consult breyiiy. But tic plan
which have proposed will hardly be accused
Of being too carly IN It's commencement or too
rapid in its operation. II will be more likely
TO meet with contrary reproaches if adopted.
IL is to begin thrty-four or thirty nine years
from the time Of its adoption, as the one period
or the other shall he selected for lie commence.
ment. How long time II will take to remove
all the colored race from the State by the AIT
nunl transportation Of ench years natural in-
crease, cannot be exactly ascerained. Aiter
the system had been In operation some years,
think II probable, from the manifest blessings
that would How from il, from the diminished
value of slave labor, and from the humanity
aud beneyolence OF private individuals prompt
lug liberation Of their transportation, n gene
raj disposition would exist TO accelerate and
complete the work Of colonization.
That the system will b. attended with some
sacrifices on tho par, Of shareholders, which
are TO be regretted, need not be denied. Whit
great and beneficial enterprise was ever accom-
| plisllcd without risk and sacrificed But these
sacrifices ure distnni contingent and inconsll-
cradle. Assuming the year 1860 for the com
niencement Of the system, all slaves born prior
TO ihut time would remain such during their
lives, and the personal loss Of the stakeholder
would be only the difference in value OF a
female slnve, whose offspring, if she had any,
born after the first day OF January, LEGO, should
he free q, the age Of twenty five, or should he
slaves for life. In the meantime il the right
to remove OF sell the slave out Of the State
should be exercised that triling loss would
not be incurred. The stakeholder. after the
I commencement of the system, would lose the
difference in value between slaves for life and
slaves until the age of twenty-five. Hc might
also incur some ineonsi,lerable expense ia
rearing, from their birth, the issue Of those who
were to be free fom their birth, until they
were old enough TO lie appreniced out but az
II IS probable that they would he most gen
orally bound TO him, he would receive some
indemnity for their services until they had at.
tanned their majority.
Most Of the evils, losses and msfortunes Of
human life have some compensation or sllevia-
ton The stakeholder is generally n land
holder, aud am persuaded that lie would find
In the augmented produciivcuass Of his iamds,
some, II not full indemnity for losses arising to
him from emancipation aud colonization. He
would also lIberully share-in the general bene-
fits accruing TO the whole State from the ex-
r tinciion of slavery. These have been 80 often
aud 80 fully stated that will not nor is II
necessary To dwell upon them cN,eDsiyely.-
They may be summed up in u few words
We shall remove from aniong US tho roninrni.
mating infuences OF scrsilc and degraded
race Of different color. We shall enjoy the
proud aud conscious satisfaction Of placing
that race where they eau enjoy the great bless
ings Of liberty, and civil political equality; we
shall acquire the advantage Of the diligence
the fidelity, and the consistency Of free labor
instead OF the carelessness, the infideliiy aud
The unsieadiness Of slave labor we shall ele-
yatc the character Of white labor, aud elevate
the social condition Of the white laborer; aug
inent the value Of our lands, improve the ngri-
culture OF the State, attract capital from, abroad
20 all the pursuits % commerce.. snauuiaettIre
aud agriculture redress, as far and MS fast as
we prudently could, any wrongs which the
descendants of Africa have suffered ut our
hands, aud we should demonstrate the sincerity
with which we pay indiserininnie homage TO
the great cause OF the liberty Of the human
race.
Kentucky enjoys high respect and honorable
consideration throughout the Union and through
ont the civilized world but, in my opinion, no
title which she has 10 the esteem and admiration
Of mankind, and, ! may say, no deeds Of her
former glory would equal in greatness and
grandeur that Of being the pioneer in removing
, from her soil every trace Of human slavery, and
in establishing the descendants OF Afriea, within
her jurisdiction in the native lands OF their fore
Fathers.
have thus executed tho promise made, az
luded TO in the commencement Of this letter, and
hope have done il calmly free from intern
pennee, and so as TO wound the sensibilitea Of
none. | sincerely hope that the question may
DO considered and decided without the influence
of party or passion. / should be most happy to
have the good fortune Of coinciding in opinion
with majority of the people of Kentucky; but,
It there be majority opposed TO all schemes Of
gradual emancipation, however much may re-
greet d, my duty will be to bow in subsection to
their viii. IL it be perfectly certain and mani
fest that such majority exists, should think Il
better not to agitate the question at all, since in
that case, il would be useless, aud might exer-
else pcrnicious collateral influence upon the
fair consideration Of other amendments which
may be proposed TO our constitution. If there
be a majority Of the people OF Kentucky at this
time adverse to touching the institution Of slave
ry as it now exists, we, who had thought and
wished otherwise, can only indulge the hope
that, at some future time under better auspices
and with the blessing Of Providence, the cause
which we have so much at heart, may be attend
ed with better success.
In any event, shall have the satisfaction Of
having performed duty to the State to the
subject aud to myself, by placing my sentiments
permanently upon record
With great regard, am your friend and
obedient servant,
II. CLAY.