Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-08-02
Fer tie Enquirer.

fVF tHe GhI"He.
MEssRs. EoIrogs: Will you allow Inc to say
Il word to the powers that be
The iu~prcSSment Of the free negroes was,
for many reasons, 4 most ~jndlcions movement,
which will he productive Of much future good
when We have time 10 consider the position
these people will then occupy among US.
The exemption Of oversccrs oil lar,ns was
also a wise and prudent measure, as it affords
some protection to our families, and ensures
the securing of the crops, now SO important to
whole country.
But there are other steps 10 be taken, just
as important rs the above, i! We wish to secure
ourselves from the evils which may attend
the present distracted state of our country.
Fathers, husbands, sons and brothers have
chcerlulIy, nav, eagerly rushed to defcal their
country, leaving their families, in many in
stances. without 4 white male on their farms,
and thus suhjccting them to depredatinns from
low white men, halEgrown boys and yagrant
factory negroes, who must live on what they
pick up while sauntering and loaling about,
exciting envy and discomfort in The working
hands by their hcastcd liberty Of action.
IF the hircrs or owners of these negroes will
not give vi set employment for them, let their
time be forfeited to the State. 1t is said, in
excuse for allowing these negroes TO 80
at large, that they canno: work out in
the sun or cold without the risk Of being
Injured; and hircrs arc afraid to try the ex-
pertinent for fear they may have to pay dam.
ages, Will" g.. owners willingly allow shem to
be turned nj large, because they lose nothing
by it. 1t is not true that these factory hands
canno! work cut, for some OF them were raised
| on farms and others have been tcamstcrs, &C.
but, even admitting that they cannot stand
exposure rs well as soInc others, they can be
cuIuloyrd in inaking shoes, hats. coats and
tents ior our soldiers. Teach them to make
gun carriages and wagons make them clean
the streets and drive public wagons, load and
unload public wares, &c, which work now
costs the government a great deal Of money.
Another thing to which wish TO call attention
is the prOpricly Of closing all groggeries, not
| after 10 o'clock or on Sundays alone, but on
| all days and at all times during the val. II
is we'll known that negroes, otherwise humble,
will become turbulent and insolcnt under the
influence Of liquor which they get at these
groggcries generally receiving shops in cx.
| change for stolen goods. The presence Of
these men is worse q great deal than the free
negroes, for they encourage the thirst of our
| slaves for liquor they bride them with it TO
steal, and teach them 10 cvade their masters
vigilance, and nculcate lessons Of discomfort
that render them nuruly and ~inSolent.
These are unprecedented times, and require
stringent and unprecedented laws; and it is the
manifest duty ofthcse in authority to use eve.
~ effort TO ensure peace ia our midst and pro.
lection from these evils 1t is folly to talk Of
| filming these men 4 few dollars, while their
profits repay many ines. Let IN efficient
paid police be established in each county, town
and village throughout the State, Gazing said
county, town and village if necessary to sup
port thcm,) composed Of men who could hare
no interest in overlooking All infringement Of
the laws, aud appointed ~ the board Of mag
~istrates and town councils, and not allow the
police or constables to be- elected by the peo-
pie, for the obvious reason that they vote for