Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-04-19
DAILY NATIONAL ERA.
rRxr pucussroN IN VIRGINIA.

FREE DISCUSSION IN VIRGINIA.
For many years past, the counties OF Virginia
in the neighborhood of Wheeling have been
losing their slaves and gaining in their stead
u free population. The whole OF that region
ought to be the home Of free labor, and there
can be no doubt that a strong Anti Slavery
feeling prevails there The fact that Wheel
ingis the TERMINUS Of the great central railroad
from the East to the West must also have a
healthful influence over the opinions and ins
terests Of the place.
One Of its leading newspapers, the Times
and Gazette, has lately been discussing with
much boldness and ability the question Of Sla-
very, urging tho expedieney of getting rid Of
the evil as soon as possible AS might have
been expected, q few g old fogies took alarm,
and determined to suppress the voice OF Young
America. public meeting was called to
take the matter into consideration, the follow
ing card being printed in the newspapers:
The citizens Of Wheeling without respect
TO party, are requested to meet en- masse ut the
courthouse, on Saturday evening next, at seven
O'clock, to express their sentiments with regard
TO tho Abolition and anti Virginian articles
which have recently been published in this
city A number OF speakers have consented
to address the meeting MANY CITIZENS
An exchange sums up the proceedings and
results az follows:
CAT the appointed time for the meeting,
some two or three thousand persons wero u.s.
tembled. The courthouse was crowded, and
~ L. a. - AZ.
speakers arose, and read some resolutions, de,
,ouncing the course Of Mr. Wharton, and
made a speech in their favor. The speaker
and his resolutions were received with Misses
Mr.. Wharton was called for, and he came
forward, and proceeded in manly speech to
defend his right to conduct his press in an in
dependent manner, and to advocate what he
thought the welfare Of the State demanded
The sentiment Of the meeting was with Mr.
Wharton. The resolutions were rejected, and
. motion was made that they should be burn
cd. But the author of the resolutions claimed
that they were his private properly, and with
drew them 1t was then voted that the citi
2cns Of Wheeling .uoisid haze and sustain one
independent nesospaper, tDhich did not fear TO
boldly speak the truth
Three hearty cheers were then given for
Mr.. Wharton, for Freedom, and for, Free
Press, and the meeting adjourned"
Well DONE for old Virginia!
The Times has proceeded to discuss the sub
isct at length and the following paragraph
will show the clear Wow the editor has Of the
evils of the system Of Slavery,
We are in favor of taking the earliest pos-
sihle means fur getting rid Of Slavery in the
State of Virginia, with justice to the master,
safety to the State, and comfort and convent
ence to tho laboring population now in it.
we desire it because it has retarded tho
progress of the people since it became a State
impoverishing its inhabitants, reducing its pop
nlation, and staying the development Of the
vast natural resources that abound in the State
to greater extent than in any other State in
the Union Had it not been for Slavery, Nor
folk would now DO what New York aud Phil
adelphia are Norfolk has the best harbor in
the Union, and the natural soil that extends
from the coast to the Blue ridge is among the
hest in the country. Had that institution not
existed there, or if it should bc removed, how
long would it be before Norfolk would be
among the first cities, and the worn-out lands
ia taat region of country, that now are owned
in fve-hundred and one thousand acre tracts,
and hardly support family at that, would be
divided into fifty-acre tracts each Of which
would not only be titled by the hands Of the
hardy and intelligent republican, not only to
yield Q support but competence and riches to a
large and happy family, happy in their indus
try and intelligence?
"No one dare deny that such would be the
result Is it not right, then, that We should
express such opinions? We are parties inter
ested as well as they for what benefits or in
jures one part of the State, benefits or Injuries
the other part"
MARINE DISASTERS AND PROBABLE Loss OF