Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1851-11-04

"a lie Legislature Of 81 81 on the abolition
debate, consequent upon The Southampton
tragedy.
Those familiar With the history Of slavery
in Virginia. and particularly with the incl.
dents of Eho period referred 10, mist be I'M
charitable inxeed to hold accountable any
one who expressed himself adverse 70
the institution at al5 tine anterior to party
organizations upon this subject. Before aD-
oliIion assumed the eaise Of party there was
scarcely an individual IN the State who was
not an Immediate abelitioniss. We remem-
Der to have been charged by the editor 81 the
Political Arena IN the year 80 With being
the only Individual ID Virginia who was q
pro- slavery advocate. A man was consld-
cred moon Struck who would defend 2 here
sy, at that time deemed 50 Hateful. The
subject had not been Investigated, the pubic
mind was wholly uniformed and popular
prejudice against ii prevailed amongst every
class and character in the state
What would 10 said Of Mr.. Jefferson were
he now holding the relation Of Mr.. summers
lie Brose III substance N bis notes on fir-
GINA. that slavery was curse that deserved
The wrath of Heaven He anticipated at
some day not distant far from bis prophecy,
a war between the races, and declared be-
tween the two. justice would force him to side
with the blacks.
Lie said these things and many others equal
y offensive.
Judge Tucker in his commentaries upon
the Constitution Of Virginia wont even far
Their than Mr.. Jefferson We have not the
authorities By Us, but we remember CATER
having sold every slave he had, amounting
to 1909 he said CT ali tie mildews that cur
sed the earth and bighted the prosperity of
the white man, the labor Of the black Stare
was the most effective.
Charles Fenton Mercer made crusade at
ono time through Virginia, lecturing from
pulpits and denouncing slavery in all its phra-
SEES. Immediate and unconditional abolition
by means Of colonization was the only alter
native left for the salvation Of the State.
And who at the period of Mr.. Summers
deliycrance went as far as the farthcrest in
this same onslaught upon slavery? Mr.
Ritchie, Gov Mcdowell, JEFF. Randolph,
Broa6nax and others Of the Democratic par
ty who have stood highest in their confidence,
The Enquirer at the top Of its voice de-
manded shat something must be done p
Tie Philistines were upon US, the evil is in
our midst, the enemy is at the gates Of the
city, the locks Of Sampson have been shorn
by this modern Delilah. and we are lost
people unless by q strenuous effort we olsen
gage ourselves from the embrace Of this fatal
influence.
This was the language of the day, and
used BY none stronger than the leading mem
bers Of the party who are now foremost in
denouncing Summers. But that very debate
was the dawn of better era Dew then a
professor at William and Mary. reviewed that
discussion and made it the basis Of an argu-
ment the clearest, the ablest and the most
conclusive We have seen upon any subject
It might also be said to be mathematical
demonstration of moral problem.
About this time also commenced at the
North the formation of Abolition societies,
Politics and Religion were made instruments
in propagating the most inhamatory and of
fersiye appeals.
The Pulpit, the press and the rostrom
were all agents in promulgating heresies, con-
eoeted by the most hateful actions with which
any country was ever cursed. The effect
was to excite the public mind and cause the
distinguished men Of each section of the
Union to examine the subject of slavery
Its moral, political and religious bearings
were discussed, and by men Of the highest
order Of intellect. Wayland and Charming
and Pierpoint Of the North had their full
matches in Dew and Fuller and Stringfellow
at the South These writer's threw volume
of light upon the question, which awakened
general investigation and caused . thorough
revolution in popular sentiment.
1t was anterior to this period Mr., Sum-
mers made this indefcnsible speech. He
spoke as did Others in darkness He was
ignorant as well as the world, Of his subject.
He had been taught from his cradle to look
upon slavery rs an evil. He knew not, Why
or wherefore it was considered in that light,
but being told so he believed it. AS well
might the physician before the discovery o.
the circulation of the blood, be condemned
for maintaining the opposite Of that belief
The theory that the sun moved and the earth
was stationary, is absurd At the present day,
hut at one time honestly believed by the
wiseest and most learned men. We have
heard one Of the most eloquent divines in
Virginia, who for the last or 4 years has
made some Of the most mastery defences of
slavery we have ever witnessed, say that in
the early part Of bis life, he thought slavery
great moral aud religious evil. 1t was not
until after the divisions in his church he ex-
amined the subject and became satisfied he
had previously been in error.
We have not the slightest hesitation IN be-
lieving that Mr.. Summers as strongly repu-
dates the doctrines taught in his speech Of
81 '32 as would Mr. Jefferson, IL alive, re-
tract those he taught fifty years ago They
were formed without the proper information,
under undue excitement, when in the buoy
ancy and immaturity of youth, and have
long since been abandoned. Fred Ners.
GEORGE w. SUMMERS.
The more we reflect upon the nomination
Of this gentleman for the first Office Of the
Commonwealth, the more satisfied we arc
with 1t. lie is every way qualified to fill