Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-07-18

the experience OF every family ana the his'o'y
of every nation, will prove that our true inter-
est is promoted by doing "un,o aH men, as we
would that they should do unto US.
The STAKEHOLDER who wishes TO provide 10"
the welfare of his slaves, by preparing them LOT
the enjoyment Of freedom, is we believe ire
quen,ly deferred by imaginary ditiicullies'-or
at least by difficulties that might be snrmount'
ed. He holds them in state OF extreme ae-
gradatiop,--beref Of every incentive 10 actSe
exertion,-all the springs ofhope dried up-aha
all the native energies OF the soul Denumoea
with apathy. He is apt 10 imagine that .ne
state Of torpor in which he sees them, Is Inc
natural character Of the African, instead oil re-
fiectinS that it is The result Of the con0H'0n IN
which he is placed. Even the American ci'l-
zen who boasts the highest privileges oil Tree,
dom, might by long course OF drucgery ana
contumely, without intermission OF iaDour, or
hope O. reward; be reduced to state OF degra'
dation almost as low.
at was. saws Wilberforce, "remarked by Mr..
Dupuis the British Consul at Mogodore, mat
even the generality Of European christians, al
ter long captivity and severe treatment a.
mong the Arabs, appeared at FIRST exceedingly
stupid and nsensible.
"Ir," he adds, "lhey have been any consider.
and feeling; their spirits broken and their lac
ul,ies sunk in species Of stupor, which am
unable adequately to describe. They appear
degraded even below the negro slave. The sue
cession Of hardships, without any protecting
law to whchJh hey can appeal for any allevia-
ton or redress, seems to destroy every spring
Of exer,ion or hope in their minds. They APP
pear Indifferent 10 every thing around them;
abiect spryilc and BRITISH"
If then, such is the natural effect of slavery
upon the human mind, let US no longer impute
to the negro the fault of his degradation, while
the blame more properly attaches 10 those OF
our owr nation who have reduced him from the
dignity Of freedom, 10, be the mere creature oil
another'5 will
Let net the patriotic and the benevolent, wait
for legislative cnactments 10 improve the con
dition Of The slave. In a popular government
like ours, every good work OF this kind must
originate with the wise and patriotic, and be-
come in some degree popular before the repre-
sentatives Of the people will venture to promote
it. If some Of those who hold slaves, and who
feel an interest in the cause Of liberty, would
pursue a course similar 10 that which we have
JUS, related as pursued by the Hon. Joshua
Steele in the Island of Barbados, we have no
doubt it would be equally successful in this
country. Al the same time that the masters
interes, would BIZ promoted, the slave would be
prepared for the enjoyment of liberty, and a
class of emigran,s for the colony at Liberia
might thus be raised up, who would be useful
citizens in any country.
1t is truly gratifying for us 10 be able TO state
thai VIM. II. Filzhugh, of Ravensworh, who
owns grea. number Of slaves, is now endea-
voring 10 improve their condition, and has a
dopteG "a plan somewhat similar 10 that above
related, but even more liberal in its details. lie
has settled two families Of his slaves on small
farms attached to the Ravensworth estate,
which they are TO cultivate as tenants. They
are 10 pay him rent for the land and for the
stock furnished them, but nothing for The hire
Of themselves. He keeps regular account with
them, giving them credit for all the products of
their farms, and charging them with the rent,
and with such necessarics and comforts as they
require, which are always to be furnished by
him, to prevent them from making all inJudi-
cious use OF their money. The balance oil their
earnings is to so towards the purchase OF their
freedom, or TO be appropriated for setting out
in the world the more deserving among them
whom he intends 10 lberatc. He furnishes
.hem with team for ploughng whenever they
require it, for which he charges them a mode
rate hire, and he gives them credit for all the
days work they do for him.
He informs US that the experiment has thus
far, been very satisfactory. The first family has
been settled in this way about six months, dur
ing which time they have been unusually indus.
trious, and have shown laudable pride in
keeping the farm in order The second family
has just been settled, and he intends 10 pursue
the same course with others if he shall continue
to be successful. Wefeel great hopes that this
benevolent and patriotic enterprise will be
crowned with success, and that ii will encou-
rage others TO Ego and do likewise"
e.
From the Norfolk Herald
1t has been the fate OF the present administra-
ton 10 do no one act but what has been de-
nounced in the scverest terms by its mortified
and disappointed opponents, Notwithstanding
the very measures so arraigned are but con-
tinuance ofthat policy, which und ormer adj
minslrations received the decid Pprobation
ola large majority Of the republican party Of
this country. 1t is not my purpose at this time
10 enter into defence of the measures of the
present executive, nor to shew their strict &C
cordance with those principles Of Constitutions
al law, which have heretofore been the basis Of
onr JpUi slation and ,vh IN we never Stion-