Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-09-11
COMMUNICATION.


roneous opinions entertained respecting the
propriety of the manurnission Of slaves, the
writer has thought proper 10 offer the follow
ing Thoughts" for public alton in your Ga
zette. 1.-THE observation the writer has thrown
together do no, have the effect Of correcting
the errors which he believes prevails to some
extent on this subject, they may at least serve
10 cor6rm and strengthen the sentiments of a
majority Of his fellow-cilizens.
THOUGHTS ON THE MANUMIssIoN OF SLAVES.
The inpropriety and irnpolicy of manumt
ing slaves, In any case, in our country, one
would suppose, must be apparent TO all But
the opinions which we hear daily advanced,
and the facts which constantly come under our
notice, prove the contrary. In The slave hold
ing States, where the people should be correct
Iy informed Of the policy which ought to be
pursued in relation to the slaves, under mista-
ken notions Of philanthropy and religion, ma
numissions are constantly taking place. We
are not surprised at the erroneous opinions
formed upon this subject by our Northern
friends. Their want OF Information acqui
them, in great measure, Of the censure that
otherwise would attach TO them, on accoun, Of
the aspersions which they throw GU, so li5e-
rally, agains, US. Their praise or Shame, on
subject of tins kind, is equally disregarded.-
But it is a little astonishing that individuals
acquainted with the facts, and the evils brought
upon society BY the free black population,
should persist in declaring that duty and hu.
manly call upon US 10 give the slaves their
freedom. II really appears Ia the that there is
entirely too much "pamby pamby sentimental
lily" and affected feeling exhibited respecting
the condition Of the slaves. Do these iudiyi.
duals believe that beneVolence and humanity
persons emo cenfessedsy Only ssrvc 20 swell! the
amount o! crime, while they add nothing to
the industry, 10 The wealth, or he strength of
the country? Because, abstractly consider.
cd. man has no right 10 hold his fellow man in
DO hags. shall we give up liberty, and the
peace Of society, i6 order thar this principle
may no! b.. violated? Mus, we not regard our
own happiness and the happiness OF The slaves?
What is benevolence! Clearly i, means dis
position to do good. To effect this design, we
must proceed farther .han the principle upon
which We acc. We mus not simply obey an
impulse OF feeling-we must reflect, and view
subject in every possible light-wr must con-
slider consequences. The motive ofie ntimes is
cOrreo /; The principle which induces to the ac-
ton may be clear and we'll founded, and vet the
action itself my be highly improper, simply
because n does not effect the design coniem
plated, viz: 10 do good. Let US apply these
remarks to The subject in question. |. Does
II heneht the negroes themselves 10 grant them
their freedom? The black population in our
country are in the most degraded condlrnn
Few Of them are acquainted with The value &C
the gif' Of freedom. Few of them are indus
,rious, and willing 10 use honest means to ga.
ahvelihond. Few Of them can distinguish, in
many cases. between right and wrong These
ale facts which cannot be denied by those con-
rrrsan' with the condition of the negroes. II
becomes those, there fore, who approve Of the
practice OF emanci 2atng slaves, TO consider
the many dangers 20 which free blacks are ex
posed-'he Inducements and temptations which
their habits OF life present before them 10
commit evl-and their liability 10 engage in
wicked and unjust articles to obtain support
And let IL also be recollected, that, no matter
how industrious they may be,--no matter how
well-in,enti oned may be their design.,-they
are destined always 10 labor under the de ,den-
ing reflection, hat they are regarded as inferior
beings that the road 10 decent competency
IS filled with obstacles, which requires the ut
mos' energy and perseverance their par, TO
overcome. Is IL surprising, then, that The Tree
negro should fall into immoral habits, and. IN
so many thousand ms, ances, into direct viola.
tons Of The laws? 1 he free blacks, destitute
as .hey are, Of education, possess no elevated
moral sense to sustain them, when assaulted bv
temptatlon-they have no conception of the
obligations which law and Justice impose mon
thrm-snd II Is BY no IN. ans wonderful that
our Jails and public prisons are crowded with
them. In the State of New York, owing TO
the law which went into operation Two wears
ago, ten Thousand negroes were thrown, wi,hou,
any stated employment, upon the community.
The consequence has been, hat the number of
criminals has increased 10 an astonishing de-
gee, and the majority Of these criminals are
free blacks The fac: is. the negroes are hap.
pier whea keptin bondage. In their mas,tr
they fini wiling and efficient protector, TO |
guard them from injury ADD insult, to attend to
them whsr ,ick and in distress, and TO provide
fer shrii G m OFT ana support, when old age
overtakes them When in health, they are