Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1857-05-12

Mr.. TRAEERs ScHESE. the indications
reaching us from various quarters of our State,
we incline to the opinion that there is a much
more general feeling in favor of the proposition
of Mr. Thayer, by the land holders Of Virginia,
than the Richmond papers have led thepublic to
suppose. The Norfolk Hsrald, which was new
er suspected of any prejudiees in favor Of free
labor, discourses of ar. Thaycr's scheme as
follows:
ave publish to-day another letter from Mr.
Eli Thayer, containing some further develops
mcnts of his scheme Tor supplying the vacuum
caused by theemigration of the Virginia plant
ers and their slaves TO the cotton and sugar grow
ing states, with colonists from the North. AS
tho scheme is now presented as one of specula-
ton entirely, and wholly disconnected from pc.
litical tendencies, itwoultl serve no useful pur-
pose to affect to treat il in any other lght-as
we confess weswere inclined TO do when the
proposition was first broached. IF some Of the
presses in Virginia eyinced rather superabun-
dance Of sensitiveness at the outset Of the pro-
position, it was by no means unnatural. The
fpeculiar Institution of the South has been the
standing subject of agitation and hostility at
the North for SO many years, thnt Mr.. Thayer's
project to invade the Old Dominion always par
ticularly nervous on that subiect) with n colony
of northern men, presumed, of course, to be of
the abolition kidney, no matter under what pre-
text, was well calculated to disturb her equan-
unity; and hence some few of her presses were
particularly sulphurous in the expression of
their indignation at what they regarded the inn
pudence of Mr. Eli Thayer. Upon more mature
reflection, however, they have softened down to
the point of yielding free assent to his coming,
and buying our waste and exhausted lands, and
cOlonizing them with Northerners, since he has
shown TO their satisfaction that he is practical
man, with common sense views, looking forward
to the acquisition Of wealth; and no propagan-
dist or mock philanthropist, making war In dis
guiSe on our southern institution.
The truth Is no longer to be blinked, that
Virginia Is IN want of such emigr1ntS to regen.
crate her old lands and clear up and bring into
cultivation her new; to develope her mineral
wealth and build up manufactures within her
borders; for she is daily losing her slave popu-
lation, upon which she has heretofore chiefly
depended for all her Industrial operations, aud
especially for the cultivation of the soil. What
better plan could be offered, then, for the sup
precision of this growing evil than to encourage
a hardy and industrious race of freemen to
come. and till the place of her retiring popula-
ton; purchase her deserted lands and work
them-adding by their labor to the productive
resources and physical strength of the common
wealth As for the apprehension of evil from
their anti-slavery prejudiceS, it is now admit
ted on all hands to be altogether ideal. Their
interests as well as their property viii be iden-
teal with those of the shareholders, and the
laws of the state are ample for the protection of
both. We say, then, if Mr.. Eli Thayer is re-
solved 10 come among US with his army of
'neighbOTs,' as he calls them, why, let him
come, aud welcome-especialy to Eastern Vir-
ginia."