Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1857-12-26
GOVERNOR WISE ON FREE NEGROES.

Governor Wise has issued his annual message to
the Legislature Of Virginia, and, as was to be ex-
pec.ed, i is a gcod deal longer than tao long
winded message Of President Buchanan, He
dwells at length upon the frecnegroes Of Yir.
sinia, their condition, and The legislation needed
respecting them We quote:
"Gu. what is to be done with them, is the ques-
ton and it is difficult TO settle it justly and to
satisfaction Several modes have been proposed.
One is to send them, in one exodus, out of TIE
State. to the onsluvehulding States of the Union.
doubt both the policy and the justice of this
plan. It's reason assigned is in yindictive spir
it, to teach AbotiOnsts better how to appreciate
the nature of the negro But that spirit always
blind IS uptto mistake in this, and the result
would be rather to make 50 many missionaries
among the foes TO our institutions and TO ouI peo
iple-tO harden them against us, rather than to
convert them in our favor. Besides, they would
on this plan. have to be sent north TO o climate
not suited to their habits Latures and ii would
| be harsh thus to sui ecJ them to Wholesale disper
sion, disease and extinction. Such is their fate in
fee States and in cold climates. They are not fit
Tor freedom OF frost, unless they among friends
who will provide for them and Shareholders at
last nro the best friends to the african race, and
thcr climate and location are most kindly to their
natures and habits. 1t would be more humane
Innd more uyt to them, to take from them their
liberty at once, and sell them wholesale into sla-
very, without their consent. But the moral sense
If our people would revolt at a violation Of nd
yi3ual and and personal rights like this, aud no
such usurpaton would be tolerated by public sent.
ment. What theu-if they onght not to be sent
north, TO free States, and tho tender merces Of
fanatics and frost, 10 the South and Slavery?
The answers that We ought TO co!ouize as many
as We can to Liberia to take back under masters
as many rs are willing to remain to the patrarchal
protection OF Slavery 10 encourage the virtuOus
and industrious among them, by seeing that they
are compelled to learn valuable trades and arts /;
and to reform our penal code to punish capi
tally certain Of their higher offences; to punish
their secondary offences with solitary imprison
ment and 10 condemn the minor offenders and
the idle to labor on the public works. A code Of
discipline would soon rid us of all the vicious and
dissolute, and retain to us the trustworthy, the
viruOus and Industrious"
II seems. then, that "the moral sense" of the
people of Virginia would revolt at the enslavemenl
of free negroes. This is encouraging cunning it
lUes from the lips of Gov. Wise. But he proceeds
to tell us that, at present the free negroes
pecially taxed to help the colonization Society
This barbarous law tho Governor condemns. lie
says
The law was passed before the new Constitu.
ton went into operation. and the Constitution
prOvides that all taxes shall be equal and Uniform,
Now. this is not equal, and not uniform il is
special and partial, and on one class alone and
capitaton tax is provided only to be levied on
lchite male Inhabitants of 81 years of age. Under
J
free negroes, and about 81 900 per annum only is
expended for its pro:essed purpose of colonization
The balance goes into the general treasury, in nd
dition to other taxes. therefore recommend the
repeal OF this law levying this tax. recommenC
also tina: Il Tree negro be allowed in future, afte
a given day, to hold no land nor real estate be
yOnd small number of acres for a homestead
and no house or lot in a city or town; and tina
they be prohibited from lending money on interes
to white man at all, and from holding slaves.
As this proposed legislation is worse thar
that of several free States upon the subject, w
will not criticise it.-N Era.
/ THE FLoRIDA. WAR MosT ENDED.-We learn from
the Tampa (Fla.) Pennsular that the sick Indian
Tommy" recently captured by Captain Mickle
and his command, died on the 9th inst, at Egmon
Key. This, together with the one killed, and th'
lone they are now after, hen killed, make three
of the red skins that have been disposed OF sine
the commencement OF the war. At this rate, W.
NAV look for the close of the about the "cracl
of DOOM" he it soon or late
The New Hampshire mills are resuming, Sey
eral are already in active operation. and other
are making preparations to commence as speedil,
a.. noasbila