Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-10-11
E,port of Slaves from Virginia.

NICHE CO, Props Flpdica'or'
Staunton, Sept 9, 1889.
Export of Slaves from Virginia
The immense exodus Of slaves from Vlrglu'"
and North Caroline is beginning to attract Inc
attention of the press, aud serious apprehenslohs
ara expressed as to the effect upon the agricul-
tnral interests of these States. The petersburg
Expressn states that in Eastern Virginia the pia-
ces of the thousands Of slaves who are Annually
sold for the cotton fields of Alabama, Mississippi,
Arkansas and Texas, ore not filled by other Ia
borers, which SO disables that section OF the
State from working its lands prodtabiy, as OF ne
cessity to retard seriously its progress and pros
perity. Ia view of the extensive and costly sys'
tenn of internal improvements now IN operation
and under construction in this State, a new I'M
petus has been given to development and pro-
duotion, an adequate supply oflabor is demanded,
and yet we are continually subjected to drain
age of our slave labor to supply the wants OF the
extreme Southern States.
The subject is certainly one of the very highest
Importance to the people, especially the slave
owners of Virginia, and should receive earnest
attention and calm deliberation. 1t opens up q
wide field of enquiry as to the probable conse-
ouences of this drainage upon the border slave
States, not only as it may effect their material
progress, but especially as to their political 6ea:-
ings. The effect upon The agricultural interests
of the State, though of course important, IS mol
the matter of highest public concern. Where Ia
Dor is in great demand, it will gradually ind lts
way, and the experience of other States estaD'
fishes the fact that agricultural interests may
prosper, and every other branch OF industry anc
enterprise flourish when there is no slave labor
Eastern Virginia may suffer temporary inoonVe-
nience by elimination OF slaves, because hel
wants are not widely known; but when her ne
cessities become so pressing that she is forced tC
seek labor, laborers will be found IN abundance
focking to her uncultiyated fields. But 1t vii
be ,chite labor-white labor Of the North, anc
of foreign countries. 1t seems to us that this /;
the striking aspect ofthe question. As slave labor
ers are diminished white laborers, sntislayery by
education and from interest," willsupply theirpiace
and it becomes question of prominent Interest
what is to be the effect Ofthe exchange upon the
cherished aud peculiar institution OF slavery
Negroes will continue 10 be sold at enormous
prices as long es they ere needed in the Cotton
States, where white labor viii not answer The
purpose. Slave dealers will buy and transport
them from the border States to the extreme
States Just as long as they commend high prices
and we agree with the Express" that there
seems to be no prospect of their receding. Ih'
consequence viii be a steady and constant drall
of slaves, and for every one that goes out Whit
man from the North will in all probabilitycom
into Virginia and the neighboring States. 1t re
ouires no prophetic vision to foreSee the result
OF this kind OF operation, in the coure OF time.
Taking this view OF the matter under consid
Grafton, it becomes question for the reflection
of the people, and the grave deliberation OF po
litical assemblies, what can be done to remed.
the evlll The owners of the cotton and suga
plantations of the extreme South would prete
to obtain their labor upon cheaper terms by re-
opening the African slave trade, and there af
doubtless those in our own State who would re-
sort to this nhumsn traffic for the purpose Q
'proyiding for the great aud growing deficiency
of negroes to work the tobacco and gran-held
in Eastern Virginia. However etteotual thi
remedy might be, We are 10th to believe tia
any considerable portion ofthepeope would sane
ton such q movement, even under cover OF tn
Jesuitical plea that 1.-The end justities the means.
There is still another question brought irt
view by the consideration of this subject whic
may assume o different phase from that whic
it presents in the abstract, when contemplate
in connection with the exodus Of slaves iron
Virginia. We alude to the acquisition Of ter
ritory. When the demand for slaves is alread
so great as to effect the constant and perceptibl
diminution of slaves in the border States, hoy
many would be left in q few years it that de
mand were quadrupled by the acquisition OF Gu
bs, or other extensive territory requiring slave
,ebor2 Is it not the true interest of Virgini
and the South generally to oppose the acquisi
ton OF territory, that her slaves may remain /
her own limits, instead of being exported b.
thousands to supply the wants ofnew slave ter
TitoTy9
These are questions OF practical importanc
and should be decided according to the dictate
of common sense. There are many in the Stat
OF Virginia and throughout the Southern state
men whose devotion to the interests OF tn
South are above suspioion-who conceive tina
the permanenoy of the institution of slavery cal
only be secured by combining slave labor to it
present limits. Not preventing it by prohibit
ing laws, Wilmot provisos, or even Squatter-
sovereignty, from going wherever the Oonstitu
ton and the laws entitle it to so; but volunta
rily declining, as matter of policy and inter
est. to take it outside of the area upon which
the negro now tolls.
Obituary Notices.
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