Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1860-02-18


TIE agitation Of the slavery question as we have
long foreseer, i. likely to result, not only in an
em,istered controversy between the sections, to
3. be suc,er led by mutual estrangement, and, per-
hans. disun;on but disastrously to an unfortu-
, nate class, infinitely worse of than the slaves.
We allude to free negroes II is well known that
certain of the non-slayehoding States have adopt
cd stringent laws prohibiting the admission Of
this class Of persons into their territory and ell
forA are esen now being made in Western Penn
sylvania--a section Of the State tha, has receiyed
largo acquisitions Of this character Of population
to prevent their further adpissioo Petitions
arc in circulation to be presented to the Leg,sla
ture, setting forth that the rapid growth OF tho
free negro population by immigration, within II
brief period, is not only burden to the petition i
ers, by increasing demnn Is on their poor funeI,
but, owing to the Incidence and dissi patton OF th
negroes they have A.lcd the prsons aud increase 1
the taxes TO al enormous extent They arc al''o
nppreheasive that the recent demonstration at
Harper's Ferry, will provoke the Southern States
to adopt more stringent measures to relieve them
selves Of this degraded race, by forcing them to
emigrate in which event large additional IN
hux is expected; anticipating which. the legis la
ture is to be invoked to adopt some measures ii at
will prevent further immigration Of free negro es
This action. together with that which was rccc Mt
" had in that heretofore asylum of runaway NO.
groes, Canada, may be regarded as the prelude to
q change of sentinent as we'll rs sction, amongst
the Northern people, relative to the precise status
of the negro and his fitness to enjoy aud improve
what we recognise rational 'freedom IL Tho
comparatively small number Of free negroes, IN u
State where it is alleged labor is more respected
than IL is in the Southern States aud where, it is
further claimed, negroes ENJOY more immundies
than they d. in he slave States their Incidence
aud dissipation make them u burden on the poor
fund" what would be the result of an exodus that
would place them oil in this desirable condition
Of ireedomt II, with the incentives and oppor-
tunities afforded in the favorable circumstances
above alluded TO- "free society amongst the me-
groes has proved Il failure. what destulion and
misery would not result from the manumisson of
the millions that are NOW held in the condition of
patrarchal sersitude2' 1t seems to ns, that tho
admission which has thus been wrung from the
Free State men should cause them to hesitate in
their course of agitation.
They should bethink them whether the peace.
and happiness Of twenty dvc millions of enter
prising Anglo Saxous. To whom have been COM
mitted the destines of the greatest empire upon
which the sun has shone. should DO sacrificed
to such q class; or wh<her, indeed, they pre-
pared to enjoy and improve their liberty under
any circumstances We do not believe they are
though we will not anticipate the future, or under
take to say what the slow progress Of ages, and
contact with the highest civilization will develop
in the African race. The experience OF tho past
and ,he present is all We have to guide us in our
decisions now.
One thing however is evident. tho proposition
with which we set out, that the indiscreet action
and Incorporate zeal Vi the people Of the North
ern States, will tend inevitably to the expulsion Of
free negroes from the Slave States.
Much as We should deplore such action. tue
necessity for which does not now exist-it may be
precipitated, and the period soon arrive when it
will be the only policy compatible with our intc-
res. and safety. Will the Northern States refuse
to learn wisdom from the lessons that are daily
conveyed to themf We shall see.
----S~-------
BRerHER GREELI is greatly exercised about tho
castigation admins tered by Col. Edn,undson, of
Virginia to Beau" Hickman of Pennsy lvania.-
The philosopher has no doubt fellow feeling with
the hapless wight Of Pennsylvania having real
ICED the same bitter experience, and it. is there