Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1857-02-28

| of conduct the rigor of our police will be still
further relaxed and our social system will be more
exposed than ever to the peril of sudden servile
revolt. In this way the salutdry lesson of these
recent disturbances will be perverted to our own
insecurity and we may have to suffer the penalty
of q foolish contempt of providential admoni.
ton.
/ Although no actual outbreak has occurred
among the negro population of Virginia, vet no.
body can deny that they have very generally dis.
covered an insubordinate impulse, and very gener.
ally entertained some indefinite idea of insurrec-
ton. Now, this is fact of the gravest conse.
quence Shall we make no provision against the
danger to which we find ourselves porpetuallv ex.
posed? All sensible men will acknowledge the
pertinency Of this inquiry.
In every community earth, the security of
society is protected by adequate arrangements for
tho prevention and suppression Of seditun or rev.
oluton. But, in Virginia, a long exemption from
any sort of social violence has Jegoten sense of
security which scorns either police or military
protection. Few people understand how utterly
destitute this State is Of any organized means of
defense against servile revolt We have no per.
manentsp tspatro and it is quite impractcable to pro.
vide an efficient system on the spur Of sudden
alarm. Besides, that would be to lock the stable
after the horse vas stolen for the end and func-
ton of patrol is to detect the earliest insubord-
nate movement, and to prevent any combination
Of malcontenr spirits. And not only are we thus
exposed to the hazards Of an unexpected outbreak
but we are absolutely destitute of the military
force foi its suppression.
The last report of the Adiutant General of the
State discloScs n condition of things which should
not be suffered to continue for another moment
To be sure, the Governors staff is large enough
for the Generalissimo Of an infinite army, but the
entire military force of the State might be garri.
sOned in n country Westinghouse, or paraded on
the playground of an old field school. 1t is oues.
tionaLlc if the abolition of the old militia system
wasa polite measure it was certainly unwise to
supply no substitute, and leave the State without
any sort of military establishment. But for the
holiday regiment of the gallant Colonel August.
and an occasional company in some of the interior
towns, the military forces Of Virginia would not
suffice for salute on the fourth of July. Yet we
have abundance Of raw material, in arms
and ammunition, and in the brave spirit of our
people
This statement should convince everybody of
the need of some more satisfactory preparation
against possible outbreak among the slave popu-
latOn. Our deficiencies indicate the points to be
protected and we should be careful to secure our
social safety by some adequate agency of preven-
ton and suppression The people are very gen
orally agreed that the Legislature must establish
some military system or other, whether on the VI J.
untary principle, after the good old fashion of
our fathers who responded to the call Of their
country on the day of muster, in shir sleeves
and with walking cane. But less thou ght seems
to be bestowed upon what regard the more i'm
portant regulation, viz the establishment of u
permanent patrol in the country.
The existing system, or, rather no system of
patrol, is not only inadequate to its purpose, but
is liable to much abuse. Now the plan we pro.
pose ntempates the Organization of patrol force
in each magsteru district of the State, to be COM
posed Of persons Of good character to be support
ed by levy on their respective bailwicks, to be
nelI to rigid official responsibility and to be
constantly employed in preserving order and quiet
among the negro population. Perhaps, by in
creasng the pay and numbers of the present con
itabulary. the duties of patrol might be imposed
lpon them The two systems readily admit Of
such combination.
We submit these suggestions with the view of
Erecting the public mind to the subject. If any
crude idea of our cwn may be developed into a
Dractinle system by some more capable person we
hall be very happy to present his plan TO the pub
ic. All agreed that the safety Of the com
nunity is not now sufficiently protected let ev-
,ry ono contribute what he can 10 supply the de-
iciency, Our columns are open to correspond
,nts.
Arc not our friends in the free States resting in
alse security II such dangers besct that per.
ect form of social life, called Slavery, how is Free
Society to escape? Why is it that precauton-
Try measures are adopted to prevent the nsurrec-
ion of hireling labor? Suppose, borrowing a
lint from the enquirer, We suggest the plan of n
patrol in the free States, to preserve
hem against the uprising of their industrial class
IS. Let it embrace the organization of patrol
orce in each county. to be composed Of gentle
nen of good character TO be supported 10y a levy on
III the householders Of the co1tty, to be held to
rigid responsibility whose Business it shall be to
exercise strict supervision over mechanics, shop
,eepers and workingmen of all classes, see to it
hat they are not out at later hour than o'clock
It night, on pain of being hogged, that no schools
# public meetings be tolerated among them in
very way maintain order and quiet among them
1t is painful, ON some accounts, to indulge in :
nockery on so grave subject; but those who are
amilar with the miserable Trades Of The cham /;
lions of Slavery against free labor and free society
Till admit that it IS fairly provoked"