Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-09-03
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER S, 1891.
| COMMUNICATED.

must acquiesee in the general correctness OF the
position with which you set out in your remarks
on the treatment of our colored people" that a
proper discipline should be preserved among, and
a reasonable STIFFNESS exercised OVER them; ba;
L should have been glad if you had qualified the
remark that a. lenity to them may be cruelty to
us" There can be no doabt, that too much le-
nifty NAV be the source of cruelty TO ", and las
the late occurrences in Southampton prOve) ulti-
'mately to them, but on the other hand, it is no
less certain that reasonable and indicions leni-
ty IS not inconsistent with proper discipline and
reasonable strictness, and is moreover enjolnedby
humanity, and the precepts of Christianity. The
laws may prevent the danger to be apprehended
from the assembling of colored people for amuse-
mcnt aud religious purposes, BY proper enforce
ment Of those which are intended for the regula-
ton of such meetings, but after all, believe,
much now depends upon the conduct Of masters;
and as the remarks Of yours TO which have re-
ferred have, in my opinion, too decided lean
ing to unmixed severity, | cannot refrain from
finding fault with them. More especially would
& object to what you say about educating them;
venture the assertion that there never was negro
made worse by education: on the contrary, think
that, if you were to make it a point Of inquiry,
YOU would find that they are generally, by its in
fiuence, made more oGedient, and to entertain
more enlightened sense Of their duty condition.
The results of this knowledge Of their condition,
and of their own weakness, will of course be that
they will perceive the impossibility Of effecting
any thing by instructions, but the inevitable, de-
s,ruction Of those who engage in them. This le-
nifty .huweyer.I would have accompanied by strict
ness; and by this mean not only the rigid en-
torcemen of obedience, but The dilisent and strict
incubation of good precepts-manfesting.a the
same time such concern for their welfare and
regard for their wants as will cause them to
perform their duty with alacrity and cheer
fitness. How often have seen these unfortu-
nate creatures cruelty punished tor miscon-
duct committed in ignorance of its nature and
consequences. Taught TO consider their masters
commands their only law, or, at least, superior
TO all o,hers-can we wonder that they do that
which is forbidden, and omit what is Or
dered to be done? We may talk as much as we
choose about the possession Of slaves bling evil
entailed upon us;-we cannot abate thereby the
force Of the truths that they are much injured
people-that the entail was no act of theirs and
that we seem, by our treatment OF, and reluctance
TO part with them, either to consider that we have
right 10 revenge ourselves upon them for 1t. or
that this entalled evil is a blessing. The occur
rences in Southampton, if canddly considered,
enforce.this lesson; that had the negroes been con-
scious Of the impossibilities oil escaping punish
nent for such crimes in this countrywide their
passions been tanned by education and good treat
ment-they would never have taken such dread
ful step; the fear of punishment would have pre-
vailed over any thirst of blood and plandcr, or
any other impulse.
Is it not probable, Mr.. Editor, that these ne
sroes were excited by persons who acted under
the direction or influence Of the fends who are
concerned in the publication OF paper in Boston
Il think, and who avow, ! am told, the object
and wish of stirring up the slaves to rebellion
and massacre? They have been busy in other
parts of the southern States. and their attempts
have been discovered in Charleston and New
Orleans. would also express my dsapproba-
ton of such publications as the g Liberator,'
edited BY a fellow named Garrison He has been
engaged for some time in travelling the country
and delivering lectures, whose burden, and that
Of his paper is, that the color ed people should be
content with nothing short Of general, absolute
and immediate emancipation, and that they
should therefore, scorn the offers Of the Coloni-
cation Society, as falling short Of their rights
Can any one hesitate for moment in their opin-
ion of the had effect of such publications.? And
this being so plain to every one, how can those
persons who patrontze them justify themselves?
The blood Of many butchered families may yet
be upon their heads. JUSTITIA.