The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-02-17


pPrmaneney and well being Of the entire
Union hangs on the perpetuaiion and ex
tension OF slavery. The following ex.
tracts will show what some Of the leading
Virginia legislators thought Of it. In
1882, about the time Of the Northampton
insurreclon, Mr.. Moore, Of Rockbridge,
said
"ln the first place, shall conGne my
remarks 10 such Of those evils as affect
the white population exclusively. Aud
even i'll that point Of view, think that
Slavery, as it exists among us, may be
regarded as the heayiest calamity which
has ever befallen any portion Of the
human race. II ,Ce look J2ck Mrough the
long course Of time Vhjch has clapSed since
tie creation TO tie present moment, 1ce shall
scarcely Je al E to point ont people 'choSc
situation waS not, IN many respects, pref
eraJle TO our oVn, and Mot of other States
in wtich Negro Siopsry crisis Truej sir,
we shall see nations which have groaned
under the yoke Of despotism for hundreds
and thousands OF years, but the individuals
composing those nations have enjoyed a
degree Of happiness, peace, and freedom
from apprehension, ,ghich tie holders Of
Siaves IN Ills country can neper kno,0."
How eloquent, and how true, is this
passage 1t embodics the most secret
and inward thought of every Virginian at
this moment. Ii follows them waking or
sleeping like spectre. They feel its
! pOrtcntious truth.
Mr. Rives, OF Campbell, said
"On the multiplied and desola'ing evils
Of Slavery, he was not disposed to say
much. The curse and deterioraing conse.
qucnccs were within the observation and
experience OF the members Of the House
and the people OF Virginia, and it did seem
to him that there could not be two opin-
ions about it,"
Mr.. Powell snid
IL can scarcely persuade myself there
is n solitary gentleman in This House who
will no; readily admit Tint slavery is an
evil. and that its removal, if practicable,
is ii consum nation most devoutlv TO be
! wished. Ihape not heard, nor do Ierpecl
contrary. Sir, the gentleman from Buck
ingham a few days ago sketched to us,
and skctched it too with a mastery hand,
picture OF the withcring and blightng
effects Of Slavery. That picture is be-
fore this House, and will not attempt to
add TO it shade or another tint {; | will
not. sir, lest instead OF adding to its effect
l might with less skillful hand diminish
it. Sir, Virginia, the much loved and
venerated mother OF Us all, from being
! the first State in this great Confederacy
is now the third, possibly the fourth ant
her declining fortunes have long been tn,
source of melancholy reflection TO hel
patriotic sons. What sir, is the cause o
Ibis decline Whatever others may
think, TO my mind it is clear that the an
swer to this in'cirogatory is, her slave
population. Hinc lilac l0chrymae."
Mr.. Preston, OF jefferson, the county ir
which Harper's Ferry is situated, said :
"Sir, Mr.. Jefferson, whose hand drew
the preamble to the bill OF rights, has
eloquently remarked that aOe had inpOkec
for ourselves tie benefit Of a 2orinciple whic'
soe lad denied TO othprS. lie s@'0 and .Iei
that SIopeS, as men tcere embraced withu
this principle"
Mr.. Summers, Of Kanawhn, still {
prominent citizen Of Western Virginia
and few years back, the Wing candi
date for Governor, said
"But, sir, the evils Of this system can
not be enumerated. 1t were unnecessary
to attempt ii. They glare upon us a
every step. When the owner looks tc
| l. In al
them. When the statesman examines tht
condition Of his country, he finds hel
moral influence gone, her physca
strength diminished, her physical power
wasted, he sees and must confess them
Sir, we should take
courage from the goodness Of the cause
in which we are engaged. 1t is one or
which Heaven will smile. We shall no
be left unaided in our exertIons. Si0vers
is nntionul cdlomity. Such il has Jee'
regarded By those rho are entirely FREE
from the cpH Nine of non -Slapeholdins
States hare generously c6ered to tie SOHt'
tie common treasury for the remouol O.
tie common eviL .Such too, lUdS the par
port Of tie resolutions submitted 10 the Sen
ate OF The United States Jy RutaS King, a
the close of his long and uSguL hJe."
MIR. Chandler, Of Norlork, said:
= "But, sir, will not this evil-this ours
not increase Will not the lie, lib
erLy, prosperity, happiness, and safety, c
those ,Oho may come after as be endangere
IN q still greater degree by il: How
p then, can we reconcile it to ourselves. t
fasten this upon them? Do we not en-
danger the national existence by enlailin
slavery upon them %
! Thomas ]. Randolph, Of Albemarle.
. grandson Of Mr.. Jefferson, said
E "The gentleman has spoken Of the in
crease of the female slaves being part c
e the profit. 1t is admitted ; but no grea
evil can be avered, no good attained
: without some Inconvenience. 1t may
/ questioned how far i is desirable to foste
$ and encourage this branch Of profit.
is practice--an interesting practice, i
5 parts of Virginia-to rear slaves 70
e market. How can an honorable mind.
Q patriot and loverWf his country, bare t
: See this Ancient Dominion, rendered illus
4 trious by the noble devotion and patriotism
r OF her sons 10 the cause Of Liberty, con
E verted into one grand menagerie, wher
, men are to be reared for market, like oxel
T. in the shambIes2 Is it better, is il no
I ,no,ea thon tba sIaVa trada-lhal trad