Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1863-02-25
SLAVERY AND THE NEW STATE,
For the 1ntoiligsanc.r. N

r For the IntoIligencer.
Asthe Institution Of Slavery, like the
ghost of Bauquo t'will not down. but de.
spite the wishes of it's friends; as well as
many who are not its friends, continues,
by thesforce, of the circumstances with
whlchlWe are surrounded, continually, to
| obtrnde itself upon public attention, it be-
comes the part of wisdom to accord to it
that consideration which it justly merits,
that we may arrive at just conclusions as
to its character, and as to the duty Of our
people in regard to it. This is obviously
the duty of the whole people, in every part
of our country, both north and south; .but
1t isfmore particularly the duty of the peo-
pie of West Virginia at this time, because
they are shortly to be called upon at The
polls, to pass Judgment upon it, and by ex-
cludlng 1t from place amongst the insti.
tutions Ofthe proposed new Common wealth,
secure to themselves a separate political
existence, or, by refusing to exclude it,
continue their connection with that per.
ton of the State which has, for the sole
benefit of this institution, withheld from
us our rights, denied to US that political
power to the exercise of which. we were
entitled by our numbers, at the same time
arrogating to themselves power to which
their numberan did not enlitle them, and
exercising the power thus wrested from Gs,
to unjust ends. When we consider how
small is the interest which the people of
the proposed new State have in this iusti-
tuition, either present or prospective, the
uncertain tenure OF its existence, even in
those sections of our country where it had
secured the frmest footing, the, ever grow
ing opposition to it in the sentiment of.the
world, the'rapidity with which the public
mind ofonr. own scounsEy being educated
up to the idea of emancipation, by, the
events of the war in which we are at pres
ent engaged, but more especially when we
reflect that our past connection with the
has been productive to US Of
nothing but poverty, Ignorance and poIiti-
cal degradation, it would seem strange If
any argument were needed ,any nypersuasion
required, to induce our people to sacrifice
this institution, that thereby they might
secure the great boon of separate politi.
cal existence, under tue most favorable
auspices. Let us ask ourselves why it's,
and how it happens that those mountaini
ranges which divide the ancient, Com
monwealth into Eastern and Western
parts have never; been penetrated by any
Improvement calculated to unite them in
ties of commercial interest and prosperity?
w ny it is that the maps of the'Eastern por-
ton of thel COMMONWEALTH is icheckered
over with. railroads, whilst that portion
west Of the Alleghenies shows no railroad:
aud why it is that the State has lavished
its munificence on a State university, that
ie accessible only TO the rich, whilst it has
made no adequate provisions for the edu-
-cationsof the masses, and you will be forced
to the conclusion that the slaveholdihp
aristocratS of the East, have habitually.
looked upon that portion of the State west.
of fthe. mohntains as eaS dependency, to be
used only TO aid in sustaining the bnrthensT
of Government 1t also becomes apparent
that they looked upon this section withiau,
evil and jealous eye, and that consequent
ly, instead of shaping the policy of the State
with reference to the most rapid develop,
ment OF the West In, population, iintelli-
gence, industry, wealth, and prosperity, 1t
was purposely shaped TO hinder and retard
this Development Hence it has come to
pass, that mot only have the commercial
and industrial interests or this section been
neglected. Ia ths failure to provide an ade-
quate system ofinternal improvements, but
the educational interests have been also
neglected. and the great'popnlar fmfnd gof
this section hae. been left, like tue country,
without Improvement. Z Th 8 ldfscrinin atiou
OF these slaveholding aristocrats, who have
hitherto controlled the legislation of the
State, and shaped its poiiey, 4 has 4 not oftilS
been directed against a large and import
ant section, but, what is even worse than
this, it has been directed against a large
and important class of its. free white .citi-
Eens. Hence nothing has been done to
promote the interests, and elevate the con-
dittoh, of the masses who labor for sub
sistence; but on the contrary, this class has
been looked upon with contempt and scoth,
aud tue legislation of the State has been
directed, to keep those, belonging 10 it i'm
| lignoEauoeI aud In poverty. .Ss WHY'S this z
Hts because the institution Of slavery tends
i to degrade labor, to make it; q mere thing
that,can be purchased in the market like
any. other commodity,r and to, discounect
intellect; and will, in the possession of the
laborer, and make it depend alone upon the
intelle ect and viii of him who has the cap.
ital to purchase it. The tendency Of this
view Of labor, is; to marrow down, and con.
tract its sphere, SO that instead Of con-
ducing 70 the happiness, comfort, and
competence of many human beings. il
is made only to ,subsefye the purpose
of bringing wealth and spoWeritot the few
From this statement of facts, which can
mot be oontToverted, it would seem passing
strange that there should Sc ariay tendeFz
] =