Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-07-21
COMMUNICATED for the Phenir Gazette.]
VIEWS

of the Benevolent Society Of Alexandria for a.
mehoraiing and Improving the condition ct the
- People Of Color.
ON THE GRADUAL ABOLITION OF SLAVERY.
The plan recommended in our last number
for improving the condition Of slaves, ought,
we think, 10 be adopted by every stakeholder,
both for the promotion of his own interest and
for The sake Of humanity and justice; and after
he shall have brought them to the state OF pre-
paration there described, they may soon earn
for themselves sufficient sum TO bear their ex
penses TO Liberia-to Hayti, or TO some OF the
free States. We would, however, greatly pre-
fer their colonization at Liberia, as they will
there be among people OF their own language
and customs-under mild and paternal gov
eminent, and upon soil that richly rewards
the labors of the husbandman. We thick il
the colonists there will continue TO pursue the
same course Of just dealing towards the natives
which they have hitherto pursued, that they
may gradually unite with them, and obtain
such an influence among them, that the slave
trade may be broken up on the Coast OF Africa,
and its place supplied by just and honorable
commerce. Nor should ii be overlooked that
they will probably be the means OF introducing
the blessings Of civilization and christianity
into a benighted portion OF the world, and a
mong a class of people who have hitherto had
but too much cause 10 execrate the name Of
christian.
But we cannot expect very large proper
tiou of the shareholders in any community to
give up freely that which they have been long
accustomed 10 regard as valuable property, even
although it may be demonstrated 10 be unpro-
ftable to themselves and injurious 10 their coun-
try: And when :h;s kind Of property has been
acquired wsfA the sanction Of our laws and Gus
toms, il would not seem either just or polite
for the government TO require them to reiin-
qrish il suddenly and without remuBeration:-
Neither does il seem entirely correct tiai those
who have emancipaled their slaves, or who
have from principle borne testimony against
this evil, should be taxed in order 10 purchase
and emancipate the slaves of others. They are,
however, most clearly bound, both in duty and
in interest, to contribute their full proportion
towards conveying them, after their etnaAClpa-
ton, to Whatever place may be provided for their
reception. There is also another point in which
these two conflicting interests may be united,
and to which all the energies OF the country
should be directed. Tt the children yet IN
bern the slave holder can have no shadow OF
claim. Therefore let oil those ,Uho shall be bonn Of
ter certain date, be considered the property Of the
STATE, until they shall arrive at such an age may
be frsd By la,cf for their emancipation.
Schools should be established for their in-
struc,ion in the most useful branches OF learn
ing, and they might (if it should be thought adj
yisable) be held TO labor until such An age
would repay the expense Of their maintenance
while young, and provide them with an outfit
for the land Of their fathers. But we think
there is also something due To the slaves of the
present generation; they should be protected by
law from the violence Of unfeeling masttrs:-
Arbitrary punishment should not be inflicted
upon them, and they should be allowed some
privileges to stimulate them TO exertion, and 10
enable the mos, worthy and industrious among
them TO purchase their freedom. Laws similar
to those Of the Spanish Colonies, mentioned IN
our seventh number, would probably be as good
as could be devised, and their having been al
ready tried with entire success, leaves no room
to doubt that they would likewise, in this coun-
try, be attended with the most beneficial conse-
quences. But the condition Of the slaves gene
rally, can never be materially improved by le-
gislative provisions while the present iniquit-
Gus system Of slave-trading is permitted TO be
carried on through our country. The expen-
siveness of slave-labor, together with the low
prices Of produce, have, within a few years past,
reduced hundreds oil the planters in Virginia
and Maryland 10 a state of bankruptcy.
generally endeayor to sustain themselves for
some years by selling of on every emergency,
few of their slaves to the southern traders,
until at length a judgment is obtained against
them, and the remainder of those unroriunae
beings are sold by the sheriff at public auction.
In these sales there is often no more regard
paid to the feelings of the slaves than IL they
were part Of the brute creation.
Husband and wife often belong 10 different
masters, & are separated forever Children are
sold from their parents, and parents from their
children, without regard to the ties Of nature |
Thas the bonds Of brotherhood are burst asun.
der, and they "whom God hath joined in we'd
lock" arc cruelty separated by man" Every
slave, however kind may be his presen, master,
must feel thar he has no security against these
calamitiss. If he reflects at all, his situation
must occasion the greatest inquietude; and if
he shuts out from his mind every thought tina,