Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-02-05
slavery in the NeVvstate orVVest yIr.
SinIa.

Sinlns
Editors Intelligence:
The proposition submitted to the Con.
ventton, at Wheeling, TO regulate slavery in
the new State of West Virginia, is as fol-
lows:
lst. mo slave shall be brought into this
State for permanent residence after the
adoption of this constitution,
I'd. "All children born of slave parents
in this State, on and after the fourth of
July 1865, shall be free /; aud the LegisIa.
ture may provide by general laws for the
apprenticeship of such children, during
their minority, and for their subsequent
colouization.i ~
ltthispropositiOn passes the Convention,
will the people ratify it2
Slavery is no advantage to the people
of Western Virginia. We have but fslg
slaves, and jetgeF slave holders. Not more
than one out of thirty OF forty in this State
own slaves. None but slave owners can
be benefited directly; others indirectly, il
think slave masters arc but few, whose
happiness is increased by their position.
And If their testimony is to be tnken, it
says, theircomforts are diminished Since
have owned slaves, says one, fiud that
my care and trouble have been augmented;
for my slaves are provoking, only few
can he trusted ont of my sight. If cor
rect them for disobcdience or sauce, feel
uneasy for fear they viii burn my house,
poison my family, or run away.
And some think it sinful to hold men and
women in bondage. | fear they are cor
rect; for the Scriptures say: "Do unto
others as yon would hayo them do unto
you.p Also, "Train up achiid in the way
he should co. fear thatI am guilty
before God touching these points 4 /
know ;he hour of death is an honest hour
with nearly all well informed minds. l
think how many masters havc been un-
willing to die until theE had, made pro-
vision for the freedom &c their slaves
What means all tlIis2 ! confess | am
troubled, and would rather ] had mover
seen negro. IL slave owners will talk
thus, why will we still press this bitter
cup to our lips, and seek to entail this
great evil upon our childron?
Those who do not own slaves, nre also
affected by this institution. Thuir taxes
are increased by time spent in legislating
add quarreling about slavery. For the last
twenty years, in tho United States, one
third of the time spent in legislation has
been occasiOncd by slavery, and thus mill
lions of dollars have been expended ; and
the mon owning no slaves have had the
most of it to pay, without any profit to
them.
In West Virginia immigration to the
State is prevented by slavery. We have a
fine soil, minerals in abundance, and water
power not to be excelled; and for the want
ofcapital and the proper men to develope
our resources (Which we would have was
1t notfor slaYery) we remain comparative
| ly poor. We might soon have n pretty fair
OF IN a
But here is slavery like an incubus sitting
upon us parali8ing our efforts or like
teaches sucking out our very life blood.
And in creating an Rristocracy among
the people, and hiudering general diffu-
siOnOf knowledge, it thus becomes blight,
and mildew to our prosperity. 1t has ruined
nations, and 1t has nearly ruined us. And
will we still nestle this yiperin our GSsom,
until 1t can strike its fangs to our heart,
and poison the whole body by the diffusion
ofits venom in our yitals. Our present
difficulties have its professed origin in
slavery. And as We are now struggling for
our life as a nation, who can for a mo-
ment suppose that Congress will receive
US with a slave code7 Surely they would
be mad if they did. God has never suF-
fered the same nation to always remain in
bondage. There would come to them a
yeas OF Jubllee. 1t was 30 with the Jews.
Aud if the Egyptians had let them 90 al
the command of God. through Moses,
those dreadful curses of loc1sts, hail,
darkness, and the destruction of their first
born, would not have come upon them.
Aud if they had not followed the Hebrews,
after promising to let them go, they would
not have been engqlied in the Red Sea.
We SHOULD do nothing rashly; for il
this work is of men, 1t will come to naught;
but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow
it.n The Convention surely will look to our
interest enough to pass this proposition
and if the people are not wise enough to
ratify it, / will be deceived.
A VIRGINlAN BY BIRTH AND Residences.
Sycamore Dale, HaTrisoH Co., Va. ~