When Lundy and Birney discovered these plans, their desire to husband and extend the direct political influence of abolitionists was greatly stimulated.

To this end they maintained a moderate and conservative attitude.

They took care that no abuse or misrepresentation should betray them into any expression which would diminish their influence with fair-minded, reasonable men.

They were convinced that a clear and complete revelation of the facts would lead a majority of the people to adopt their views.
The debate in the Virginia Legislature in the session which met three months after the Southampton massacre furnishes a demonstration that the traditional anti-slavery sentiment still persisted among the rulers of the Old Dominion.

It arose out of a petition from the Quakers of the State asking for an investigation preparatory to a gradual emancipation of the slaves.