Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1858-01-01

spirit seems TO prevail nowhere except at
Portsmouth. and there il is Beginning
only to kindle. And yet with one voice
the popular sentiment. SO far as j am in-t
on some economical and compulsory plan.
The necessity for a military force needs
no argument; and that well organized
militia is the best form for a-republican
government. is settled political axiom.
The musters are useful civil as well as
military institutions, aud the abolition OF
them had an injurious effect upon the So
cial customs and habits of our people,
The panic of instruction in the latter
part OF 1856 was wholly unfounded and
Fictitious, but it demonstrated the great
wrong of leaving a people wholly unarm-
ed and defenceless. Some few neighbor-
hoods were alarmed, and it was lament-
able to see the weakness betrayed by the
want of organization. There was not the
least danger. but rumor magni6ed an APP
prehension of it, and the only mischief TO
be guarded against resulted from the
want Of protection TO the peaceful and
faithful slaves, who were more alarmed
Than the whites, and who alone were in
any danger. l am proud to say that l
believe there was not in truth the least
cause of alarm. and not single case Of
real instruction was manifested; but !
caused few arms to be issued. and gave
orders to some commandan.s Of regiments
in order to insure an efficient police. But
one slave was capitally convicted. an old
man, on the testimony of his own son
whose punishment l commu,ed. And.
indeed. unless the crimes had been very
tlagrant, and the public safety very much
endangered, | shond bave made it a
point Of policy to pardon or commute the
punishment in as many cases as proper.
to show the world that this State has
strength and security enough to be leni
ent TO the humble dependents upon her
protection who may be suspected or con
victed Of being misguided by the evil
spirit Of the times. Our own safety, so
tar as distrust of our servants is concerns
ed, is above all anxiety or doubt, and our
chief protection is needed for them, not
ourselves; but in every point of view we
will not be true to them or to ourselves, il
we do not. especially in these times and
ever, provide reliable force of prolec.
tive police in peace. and as means of de
fence in case Of war. Accordingly. !
herewith submit detailed project of "a
law. for an active and reserved force.
which l recommend TO your adoption as
the result Of the best military experience
could consult. and as the best plan
known to me. II is so organized as TO
exempt all over rs years of age from
mastering on paying 50 cents per annum.
and that communication will support the
corps of active militia.
| X X
FREE NEGROES.
This class OF our population is causing
great difference of opinion as 20 the best
mode OF disposing of them. On the one
hand, it is urged that its existence as we'll
as condition springs naturally and ne"
cessarIly from the institution Of slavery;
that many of them have been emancipatec.
either for merit in themselves or their an
cestors, and deserve the affections which
cling 10 them in the bosoms Of families to
whom they belonged; that if many>of them
are corrupted and degenerated since being
lett 10 their own care. IL is owing not
only 10 their own improvidence. but to
evil communication with bad white men
who associate and deal with them and
abuse their weakness, and who are OF
restrained by adequate penal laws. THAI
their labor is needed in many parts OF The
stale where they are most numerous
and that to get clear of them in any way
is considerably to reduce pro tuntO our
population. and, of course. our IedeI al
strength. Aud that il they are An evl
in our midst. il is our duty TO put up with
it in the best way We can, under II sy stem
Of salutary correction and restraint, and
that we owe them protection in the places
Of their nativity. where they fondIy love
to remain. On the other hand, it is
urged that they are in most cases set free
by spirit Of fanaticism, aud by persons
who spoiled them and made them unfit
tor freedom. That they are thus turned
loose to become idle and vicious and des.
titute, and to set an evil example 10 slaves
with whom their contact is baneful.-
That they are used AS agents Of runaways.
and are receivers for theft. That they
tend to degrade certain portion Of the
whites as we'll as to make the slaves dis
couten,ed. unhappy and vicious. And
that they are especially dangerous in
these times of agitation and excitement
against our property and our peace on ac-
count Of slavery.
But what is to be done with them ? is
the question. and it is difficult 10 settle
it justly and 10 our own Satisfaction
Several modes have been proposed. One
is 10 send them. in one exodus. out Of the
state. to the uonslaveholding states Of the
Union. doubt both the policy and the