Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1859-12-01

IL Is respectfully requssssd that the follow
ing petition may be sivcn sn insertion in cv-
cry newspaper Of Virginia. VI which the co..
ducfcrs approve the general objeets sought.
and Who earnestly desire the maintenance
and iermancncy of the existing institution Of
negro slavery. All patriotic and pubic spir-
is-d citizens are also rs9sesscd to use tho form
Of petition here offered. (os any other that
may be prepared. ofihe general purport, 10
obtain signatures thereto in their Dcighbor-
remaining will periait. aud place such signed
copies IN the charge a their respective rupre-
sentstives. to be prescntcd speedily ~ the
Legislature
To tke Generd Iuen,lly # Tryis:a
The petition of the undersigned citizens.
r--'dsnts "r property owners Of the
Ct. respectfully reprc-nts:
That the maintsnancc Of the institution OF
negro slavery. With the due ssbor,iinzton OF
slaves to masters. and generally of the inf,r.-
or black to the dominant white ciass. ~ here
tofore existing in Virginia. l. all-important
to the well-bcing and interests Of the Com
mon vealth. and Of every considerable and
useful class of our population
That the great and most operative eau
ses ut the corruption Of the habits aud NOR ais
OF slaves. and of infusing into their minds
discomfort and the spirit Of INSTRUMENTATION.
and consequently Il producing discomfort
AMI unhsppinA- Ia themselves; and loss OF
injury Ia their masters, and "a al honest aud
Aw-abidlng citizens. are TO be found in two
existing and widespread evils. viz lst---
The shops or other places for the unlicensed
eel ing 81 Intoxicating liquors TO the slaves.
or carrying on with them o,b-r ILL gal traffic.
including generally the r,ceiving " stolen
goods and Ind. The intercourse with slaves
tand also with free negrocs) OF persons.
whether Migrants OF temporary sojourners.
who, IN many eases, are either voluntary
agents Or hired cmis.aries Of Northern asso
eiat'ons. or individuals. laboring 10 dcstry
slavery in the Southern States. BY instigatig
deser,ion. or conspiracy aud insurrect,c
and which persons, generally A. iiiDersts.
and mostly. also. rs tramping Migrants, and
all Of them coming from the Northern satcs,
arr spread through Virginia. and pppably
have operated IN every county thepof. IN
some one or other of the various ciyf actcrs
OF avowed individual t-ggars. NJ tiIcitors
for subscriptions To Northern publi<ions. or
of contributions To some proiesscd'ubiie or
pious works. or P'dlers. general without
legal license TO sell and even, nome eases.
Is teachers, religious agents. AZ preachers
Of the Gospel:
That whenever, through eth ofthesc two
different means for corruptingelsvee. p,lla- |
g'ng property and inducing ,rsueordination. |
immortality and crime. slaves re thus opera |
ted upon by white persons no matter TO |
what extent. OF how irequi,ly. there can
rarely be obtained any leg, evidence Of the |
facts, because negroes onlyarc privy TO such |
offences, and the EVIDENCE, negroes. under |
our present law. Ia not a,Ihitibie against
white person. even thouyn Sch person may /
be universally reputed q : receiver Of
stolen goods, or n NorSern Abolition ennis
sary and consprator inyitg slaves TO de-
scrtion, or to revolt and ihss,cre. There
fore both Of these tangeras and Infamous
classes Of offenders are alcst entirely safe
from prosecution aud coIiciioD. and may
securely pursue their injurious courses.
Therefore. We pray OF var honorable body
that such new measures I prevention AID
puBishn,,li; may b. enact as viii make Oh
erativc the existing legal 'ohib.tiobs of tue
Offences IL yagrancy, unltnsed dealing with
slaves. and pe,iling anell by extending
stringent repression, anjertain and sufl CT
ent penalties to all othc Srcfcssed pursuits OF
iunerant strangers, havx neither sufhcit mt
vouchers Of good charatr aud objects, nor
license. nor visible mhs for support by
.ooe-i labor. Aimins,nly TO pr,scnr. in
general terms. the exiSg evils. ana To pray
tor relief in general. ' do not presume to
prescribe special or ecise re4ueuies but
submit 20 the wisdom il discretion vi tn.
Legislature the diylsa and adoption of such
enacin,enis as will aai sufficient remedies
for the great aud grukng evils and dangers
under Consideration