Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-08-21
COMMUNICATION.
HAYNE-No. II.

Whatever is expedient is right says Dr.:
Paley; and by the rule OF expectancy we in'ena
70 pcint out what right and duty demands, with
,esnect to the course of policy to be adopted IN
relation to our black population.
I, i not. perhaps, very surprising, that upon
frat consideration, it should appear an unwar-
r,ntable exercise of authority to shut out tae light
of knowledge from the minds OF race OF men,
who, unfortunately for them and unfortunately
for rs. have been brought under our sway
There is something repugnant to our feehnSs oil
humanity, in the idea of keeping IN tue darkness
Of Ignorance, creatures formed like ourselves, oy
the same great hand, and endowed with IKE Ia
cuties, susceptible OF moral and intellectual I'M
provement Bat the impulse ct feeling must
not be our only actuating principle. In the pnr-
suit of seeming good, 1T often''mes leads US INTO
errors whose consequences are irreparabe. A
fair and candid investigation OF this subject will
convince rs. that enlightened benevolence lays at
,h. foundation of the system we are advocating.
I'm the first place, we should deny the Blacks
the privilege of an education, in order that due
control over the slave may be possessed and con-
stautly maintained BY the master. The Blacks
If our Southern States, so long as they remain
in their present happy state OF ignorance. can
MEYER afford any very great cause OF uncasinesS.
They fear the power of their masters; and the
,dea of resisting their authority is but seldom en-
,ertained.-At any rate, the experience OF long
course of wears has shewn. BY the most cOnvlnc-
inc evidence, that the schemes which may be form
ed by the Negroes to free themselves, will be OF
a martial and local kind, while they will be con-
duc,ed with such want of concert. as to rem
der their success matter OF high lmprooabl-
Inv. But this state of things cannot continue,
if The means Of education should be extended to
the Blacks. A knowledge of their AFFECT con-
ditiou, and Of the rights to which, by the laws of
aature, they are entitled, will give them that
power Of which they are at present deprived, and
which would render their longer stay in the coun-
try a source Of extreme apprehension to those
whose interest and comfort ought to be consulted
and maintained. If these considerations are en-
titled 10 any weight when applied TO the slave,
their importance will by no means bediminisled.
If they are taken in reference to our free black
population. A slave is subjected to the control
Of a master, who is capable by his own authority
of infiicting punishment for disobedience, or for
improper conduct of any kind. A free negro
possesses certain privileges, guaranteed to him by
the laws. and is subject only to the authority of
the regularly appointed magistrates of the coun-
try. The first, If educated, 1t is true can plot
and devise plans to secure his own freedom-but
he has the eve Of visilant master fixed upon
him. and, through fear Of detection and its con-
sequences, he may be restrained. The latter
sees his way clear.-Being free, he can commu-
nicate with every part Of the country. He can
stir up to rebellion the disseminated slaves
He can place arms In their hands to murder their
masters whom they now regard with submission,
and TO spread desoaton over the country now cul-
tivated and improved by their industry. Let
once the authority Of the master be called IN ques
s;sa. ana the needfsl restraints Of the Law wssld