Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1823-09-27

ofuef enjoy security VI pcEsoh anu
property, and where the advantages re-
sulting from this right, are visible to the
commonest observer. Norway is bless
ed with a particular code called the
Norway Law +" BY this law-the pal
ladium of Norway, the peasants are free;
few only excepted on certain noble es-
tates near Frederic kstadt. The benefits
Of the Norway code are SO visible, as to
the general effect Oh the happiness, and
on the appearance Of the peasants, that
traveller must be blind who does .ot
Instantly perceive the difference between
the free peasants of Norway, and the
ensaved vassals of Denmark, though
both living under the same government"
IF in the West Indies and America,
you are often surprised and grieyed BY
the strange assertion that the condition
of the slaves is as good as that OF the la
borers in Engla as if mere animal sns-
tenance were all that is necessary for the
happiness OF rational and immortal
being, the same proof is often offered in
Russia, otthe degree in which tamillari
,y with slavery may degrade man in the
estimate of his fellow men, and render
feudal lord insensible to all that con-
stitutes the essence of freedom. "Ihere
is," said one of the Russian princes to
Dr.. Clarke, addressing himself to him
with an air of triumph, +" more OF the re-
atty of slavery in England than ia Rus
sia."
And il in the West Indies, there is a
general prey dice against emancipation,
and the idea of importing to slaves the
privileges OF freedom is regarded as ,heo-
rilical and Missionary; similar errors and
pre- iudices have prevailed, and perhaps
sill prevail in many parts Of Europe.
:. The generality Of the Polish notles,"
observes Coke, " are not enclined either
TO establish or give efficacy to any regu-
Iaiions in favor of the peasants, whom
they consider as not entitled TO the COM
mon rights of humanity !" 81 was much
surprised to find" says the same author,
+" upon inquiry, that no noble in Russia
had franchised his vassals but l may
venture TO predict that TIE time is not lar
| distant, although an almost general pre-
ladice seems to prevail, with respeG to
The incapacity OF the peasants for receiv
ing their liberty. And This perhaps may
be true in the literal sense, as many Of
them unless properly instructed, would
scarcely be enabled 10 derive a solid ad-
vantage from their freedom, which might
be considered by some as an exemption
from labor, and permission ier Ii
centiousnoss. II century ago, terEaES
no one in Russia 7vonM haze Uenturea
to debate the question, 7vhether heasants
ought to be free"
And ye, emancipation has proceeded
rapidly in Europe, with what brilliant
success let Ganilh himself inform Us
the emancipation OF the people OF Eu-
rope, has been followed by the clearing
and culture of the soil; by the CONVEX
sion OF cabins into cottages, OF hamlets
in,o villages, Of villages INFO towns, and
of towns into cities; by The encourage
ment of industry and trade; by public
order and social strength. The nations
which have made the most shining
figure, are the very ones which have first
substituted the labor OF tbs freeman for
that ofthe slave; and other nations have
not been able TO raise themselves 10 the
same height of prosperity, but by imi-
tatlng their example; would the era OF
financial and political improvement in
modern Europe may be dated, from the
abolition of actual and personal setyi.
tude."
And why may not the same glorious
consequences follow the abolition OF
slavery in the West! is it in Europe on.
ly that the mind can awaken from the
torpor Of slavery to life and intelligence
What shall we say, then, to the aboli-
ton Of slavery, under British auspices,
in Ceylon, in Java, liz Suma,ra, and in
ST. Helena! Or is it the African alone
vino imbibes poison from the bitter
cup which no antidote can cure, but
which flows in the veins, and attains the
blood OF his latest posterity! To you,
Sir, it would be most unjust to impu,e
such an opinion but il it should be en-
tertained by any of your coun'rymen,
would refer them to the experiment late.
ly made in Columbia, where a great
body OF slaves have been emancipated,
who are said "to have conducted them.
selves with degree of industry, sobrie-
ty, and order, highly creditable to them"
l would refer them to the instance of the
American slaves who joined the British
standard in the last war, and who are
now settled in Trinidad; where, under
the protection Of Sir Ralph Woodford,
the Governor, they are earning their