The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-07-22
From the Richmond Daily Enquirer, July 10.
THE PROBLEM OF THE FREE NEGROES.

The effect of the general discussion elected
by the emancipation debate in the General AS.
sembly was powerful reaction in public opin.
ion upon the subject of Slavery. The writings
which chief contributed to this result were
B. W. Leigh's essays and Professor Dew's
pamphlet. In these documents, the folly OF
a general emancipation, without deportation,
and the impracticsbility of deporting so large
population, were clearly demonstrated The
Anti Slavery tide which had long been rising in
Virginia, and which eliminated in the debate
in the House of Delegates, was arrested at its
flood, and has been ebbing ever since. Some
erardent colonizationists had put forward
the Colonization Society as competent TO effect
the deportation of the whole black population.
This was q mistake, and teaded to confound
the Colonization Society with the emsncipa
6onists. 1t was against this aspect of colonial
ton that Professor Dew levelled his tremendous
batteries. As he interpreted the design of the
Society, his argument was unanswerable and
fatal. But, in truth, the picture which he had
In view was a mere caricature. Even Mr.. JEFF
ferson, as may be seen in his letter to Sparks.
only thought of Africa as an asylum for the
free negroes this he regarded as the +" great
est of missionary schemes" But he was also
an emancipationis,, looking to the ultimate ex
tinction of Slavery. These he proposed 10 send
to the West Indies. Mr.. Jefferson should not
be COMPOUNDED with modern Abolitonists they
insist upon immediate abolition he was in
favor of gradual emancipation they deny the
right of property in slaves he distinctly rec.
ognised it, and would compensate them for
the loss out of the public lands In this view,
Madison and Marshall concurred with him,
The Abolitionists will not have emancipation
with deportation Mr.. Jefferson would not
emancipate without deportation.
When the smoke of the fierce conflict of
opinion passed away, the Colonization Society
was seen under its colors, and it's real purposes
rightfully appre ciated. Accordingly, at the
very next session, bill appropriating SIS 700
to the colonizing of the free negroes n Africa
was advocated by Messrs. Gilmer, Brown of
Petersburg, Gholson, and other leading men,
and passed by the General Assembly. This
appropriation, for reasons hereafter to be as.
signed, was not called for. We cite it only as
an expression of public sentiment, and to place
the responsibility where it belongs.
About this time, Garrison, after publishing
his book against the colonization scheme, fol-
lowed Mr. Cresson to England, for the purpose
of counteracting the influence of that gentle.
man, who was commencing the subject of Afri.
can colonization to British philanthropists
Soon after his arrival, O'Connell and WILDER
force published Protest against the Coloni
cation Society,"" which they alleged "fosters
the spirit of caste, widens the breach, between
the two races, and diverts that feeling which
we entertain, that Slavery is incompatible with
the law of God and the well-beinq of man.
This movement probably led to the mission of
that audacious British emissary, THOMPSON
who dishonored his country and dispraced him
self by eliminating Southern slayeholders to
Northern Abolitionists. These facts show With
what relentless hostility the Colonization Socie-
ty has been pursued by the Abolitionists. The
Bible, the Constitution, The Union, and the
Colonization Society, are their favorits themes
of denunciation, because they oppose invinoible
barriers to the consummation of their treason
able projects. In 1885, the Anti Slavery Soci-
ETY. issued 10000 copies of newspapers, &c,
some of which were illustrated with hideous
caricatures Of Southern men, women, and chill.
dren, brandishing whips and other Instruments
of torture over crouching slaves.
By the mail, these seeds of insurrection were
sown broadcast throughout the Sonth. The
result was an intense excitement among South
ern people. Meetings were called, and meas.
ures suitable to the crisis adopted in our cities,
and in many counties.
At the Gloucester meeting, John Tsler, then
Senator in Congress, made powerful speech.
ileges hitherto allowed to slaves were withdrawn,
and q more rigorous policy adopted. The more
conservative and patriotic people of the North
assembled in public meetings, and assured the
South of their sympathy and support. Con.