Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-11-04
For TIE INDICATOR.
go E'sloz.sas y. TgEclie, ESQ.

Sir :-Legisai0n for our free colored people
has always taxed mosi strongly the wisdom Of
our Wisest men. The mas!er and slave sus.ains
positions well defiued but the introduction of a
toirer ca>ie IN s'meiy has never laiieJ to create
social difficulties he most dangerous and diretul.
Our wisest statesmen early contemplated the evil
and dep!ored what they failed to prevent of re-
move.
Legislative enaeiments, however have shown
careful regard 10 The nieres Of this class Of our
population, and Whatever has been Judged pfactL
cable for their benefit has found a place 90 the
statute book. YET all fails to give Them position
which can furnish the proper motives to enter
prise, because ii does moi associate them with our
selves. They are below the citizen without The
relative privileges secured to the slave.
Stringent laws are necessary to govern their
movements and define lhei, position, which sup
press lie ordinary springs Of ambition, palsy their
energies, and render them cesulale--cut of from
the sympathies which associate and bind together
all other classes.
The free colured man here, though under gov
ernment Of laws. can have 10 share in that gov
eminent. He is born alien; and if admitted
al all TO a RIG hit 10 fesde in The State, he must be
admitted by favor, and remain by sufIerance.
No free negro is permitted to remain in the
State longer than one year after his enamel ion,
(see the new revised code, chap l07, sec. ~
II is made the duly Of The Commissioner of he
revenue 10 return annually a list of all The free
negroes III he County under penalty for delin-
queney Of s3o-and the duty of The Clerk 10 pos,
copy Of this list on the Court house door and
preserve ihe original under penalty Of SIS
(chap. 10Y, sec s.
Ii is made the dnlv of every free negro to have
his registry renew ed every five years (chap l07
sec. g.
Aoy fee negro found wiihuut a copy of his reg.
s'ry, property renewed may be committed To jail
and GA The second commIiiaI must be punished
with slfipes.-(chap. 10Y. sec 10.
II is made the duty of The Commissioner 10 Give
information To the grand jury il any free negro re.
mains in The County Ut Corpmalion, against lac,
under penalty vi IS for every case of neglect.-
(chap. to-, sec. )
Any person en'pl wing any free negro, who has
col such an aies'ed copy Of his registry, is liable
10 q fine Vi five doars.-( chap. 10Y, sec. 5.)
Free negroes ale not permitted 10 take up their
residence i'll any county ualess expressly permit.
ted by the County Court in iali session-Whch
liberty the CouIi may grant OF refuse, and after
wards uithdfaw.-chap. l07, sec. lS)--And il is
made the duty Of the Con l1olfWeaijh's Attorney
10 represent the Sale in urging every valid rea-
son against such apPeatlon.-( chap lG7, sec e.
All Tree negroes, violating 'he law 5 aied in the
pttCGHtH1 ettblHi, HifCtt iiP'F tfGtGDNl, ana
be sold as slayes.-(ebap l9S, sec 26)
Ma free negro tnl.fae from sno her Stale inio
his Safe, or feiurn, ai,er having gone inio non,
siavehoidinn State, il is made The duty oi eyelv
officer and "f every citizen IN apprehend him; and
ON legal conviction 10 have hin, punished with
s'ripes-and he IS not permitted 10 feulan in the
s.a4e.-(chap. l9S, STE. = aud 20.
Ii these laws seem in any respect 10 bear hard
on 'he zee e"o'ed man, this has It's origin in Inc
necessities Of the case. There is a strong SYM
pa.hy IN his favor. ie such are our laws-in
referring 10 which, have omitted Inc chapter on
offences where penalties made 10 fall much
n"re heavily on him Than on Common offenders
and this 100 from an obvious necessity.
The Legislature has made a liberal appropria-
lion To aid in their emigration 10 Liberia, The only
place on earth where they can enjoy civil and
social privileges like Ourselves. This now indi-
Gates due policy OF the Stale, and also lie duty Of
courts IN the exercise oi tnelf discretionary powers
20 adisii petitioners 10 feg siry Ia their respective
Couoiies. Ii proposes TO give them full cizen-
snip IN Zee fein,l,iic Of thes oMn, and thereby
debates the opinion that il should no be granted
in this need aot labor lh. point. The intel
iigeni among ihe free colofed people themselves,
reason g,ht on il, and look with increasing favor
on the emigration Proposed.
II tie laws were more generally understood and
more faithfully applied. this opinion would be
note faPldIy and felly developed, and ibis class
ol uur population would hasten 10 unite their for
times 10 de glorious des,lnles of Liberia, where
they are strongly invited ny iheir brethren who
have gone before, and by their own personal in,
tereSts.
Ey the Census just taken, fad there are in
the Conny $50 fee people OF coof. OF these, not
more than one-lhd are registered or have com
piled w',h The laws, Woich give them any right
to residence here. Ii is for US 10 determine
whether the laws which We approve Shall be sHs-
tanned and " neither ie people for whose benefit
ihese laws We're made, Shall be awakened by
their application, decide aud enter 90 an enter
prise, which shall secure irue liberty, jndepen.
deuce and honor 10 themselves and children.
Very respectfully,
IL. w. BAILEY.