Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1863-02-23

S q S@NLC4G3 even II II were desirable
TO nave 1t. The last census shows that the
NUMBER OF slaves decreased some 1000
curing the last decade within the limits OF
the proposed new State. 1t is fact we'll
estabhshed by experience, that slave labor
IS not profitable IN raising grain, especial
y IN growing and grazing stock-that for
Lna4nu1acturlng purposes 1t IS entirely val
ueiesS. 1t cannot, therefore, ever be
Valuahle IN West Virginia, where the cli-
mate and the soil are adapted only to the
growth OF cereals in moderate degree,
but to grazing and stock raising in an em-
lnent degree; but more especially are our
great interests dependent on the estab-
llshment OF manufactures. Why then
should we want slavery here? Or rather,
why Snould we wish to remain connected
with Eastern Virginia where slavery does
exist, to be embarrassed and burdened by
laws and by State policy well adapted to
protect and promote the interests of the
section OF the State where slavery does
exist, but for that very reason not adapted
to our section of the State where slavery
does not and cannot eXist2 The policy of
Virginia has been to cherish slave labor:
but we have only free labor. Shall we
forever submit to have our free labor pla7
ced on an equality with slave labor? Will
the hardy sons OF toll III our mountains
agree to that?
Mr. President, on this great question OF
slavery IN Its relations to political econo-
my, cannot, with due respect to Your
patience, venture into the wide field of de,
tails before me. l must content myself
with general conclusions. And in giving
you these conclusions 1 will not ask You
to rely on my own poor judgment; but I
will borrow the sanction of names that
will command your respect, and refer Won
to facts which cannot be controverted.
In the infancy of Yirginia-when she
was a colony-and before slavery had as
sumed its present unwieldy proportions,
and when Virginia was desirous Of LAYING
secure and wide foundation for her: ftt3
ture welfare, as West Virginia is seeking
to do now, the House of Burgesses de-
ciared; Er15
"The abolition of domestic slavery is
the great object of desire in these colo
nies, where it was unhappily introduced
III their infant state. But, previous to the
cntranchisement of the slaves we have, it
is necessary to exclude all further impor
tations from Africa. Yet our repeated eE
forts to effect this, by prohibiting and bv
imposing duties which might amount to
prohibition, have been hitherto defeated
by his Majesty negative-thus prcferrinsr
the advantages of a few British corsairsi
to the lasting interests of the American
States, and to the rights of human ma
! ture, deeply wounded nv this infamous
practice G.8g
Such was the Language of our fathers
Eastern Virginia early and earnestly nro.
tested against the injustice of the mother
country in forcing the evils of slavery
there; but it seems that we have some
persons amongst us here in West Virginia,
that desire to embrace it us blessing.
When we were about establishing our
nationality, George Mason, of Virginia
used this language:
Slavery discourages arts and manufitc-
lures. The poor despise labor when per-
formed by slaves. They prevent the i'm
migration of whites, who really enrich
and strengthen a country. They produce
Every master of slaves is born petty
! tyrant. They bring the Judgment of
Heaven on a country. By an inevita-
bic chain Of causes and effects, Provi-
| dence Furnishes national sins by national
calamities. He lamented that some of
our eastern brethren, from lust of gain,
have embarked in this netarious traffic.
AS to the States being in possession of
the right to import, that was the case with
many other rights, now to be given up.
! He held it essential in every point of view
| that the General Government should have
the power to prevent the increase Of sla1
very.''
This was the language of a statesman
uttered before the, Judgment of men had
been overcome by the influences of party
spirit and sectional prejudice. AS slavery
increased in Virginia, these effects Of it. SO
tersely described by Mr.. Mason, became
more and more apparent. Imight multi
ply the number Of witnesses of equal dis
tinction whose testimony is no less exnIi.
cit. In 1829-3O, the public opinion of
slavery on the material and moral weIfoTa
of the State was almost universal. Hear
the language of a memorial addressed to.
The Honorable Convention of VIRGINIA