Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1832-05-24
DEBATE ON ABOLITION
Speech of Mr.. BRoWM, Continued.

Again, sir, | contend, that the happiness
of the slave does not call for his emaDcipa-
ton. His condition is better than that OF
four ffths of the human family. He enjoys
far more of the comforts Of life than the pea
santry OF many of the nations in Europe
The Russian or Polish serf, for instance, IS a
mere appendage TO the soil-the victim of
passion or arbitrary transfer, and kept in
submission by being plunged IN the darkest
tide of ignorance and superstition. Lands
are assigned him, and the proceeds Of his la
Dor are called his own. but the whole bevond
a miserable subsistence are absorbed in the
payment of rents and dues. He accumuiates
nothing, and If the seasons prove unpropiti-
Gus, he is exposed to all the horrors Of ia
mine. When worn out with foil and bowed
down with age, there is no one from whom
he can demand a support. He is not called
a slave, but in what respect is his lot more
desirable? The slave also amasses nothing,
but whatever betides he is sure Of a subsis-
fence. He is independent Of accident or the
elements. IL his owner becomes too poor to
feed and clothe him, he is sure to sell him to
one who is able His life is under the pro-
lection of the law. When disabled by age
or disease, he is secure of a support. Public
opinion aud the interests OF his master, pro-
tect him from cruel and abusive treatment.
He is not free, but that is a blessing only in
name, to a large majority of the human race.
Man must be civilized-his mind ebliehten-
ed, and his feelings refined, before he is fit
ted for the enjoyment of liberty The Hin
doc and the Tartar are free, but what avails
the ~fruitless BOOM Even the state of South
America, the objects of SO much sympathy
and hope, have profited but little by their in
dependence. The fierce and cxterminating
conflicts that mark that sanguInsry arena of
ambition, and for the termination OF which.
we have looked so long in vain-evince too
plainly, that liberty came before they were
prepared for it The greater part of man.
kind. must, in the nature of things, he poor
and ignorant - toiling anxiously for their dai
~ bread. All cannot be raised to the top of
the scale, and the ne gro, of all others, is the
least susceptible OF elevation You may de-
clare him free-you may enact laws to make
him iree-hut unless you can reverse ms
doom of inferiorlty-unless you can exempt
him from poverty and toll, your utmost Ell
forts will only change him from a slave into
a serf He would not thank you for the IA
vor-for the only charm he could discover in
liberty, would be the privilege of not labor
ing. You may establish him on the coast OF
Afsica, but it will neither promote his own
happiness, nor be the means of cIvlllzlns that
Continent. know there are those vino think
otherwise. For their motives and opinions.
] have much respect, and as long as they pur-
sue the objects they have avowed, accord
ing to the rules they have announced, | wish
them, with all my heart, success. 1t is far
from nay wishes to discourage so grand and
nundicent a design as that of the American
Colonization Society. But when required TO
act on the faith of their experiment, | must
confess my Incredibly. The fate Of the CO.
lonv at Sierra Leone, admonishes me Of the
hazards aud difficulties of The enterprise. 1t
is now more than forty years since an asso-
citation was formed in England, for the pur
pose of restoring re captured slaves to their
country, and thus introducing christianity ln-
to Africa. Ii was composed OF the most IN
telligent and ~virtuous men IN Great Britain,
and its resources were as extensive as any
that Virginia could command.-Si Sierra Leone
was selected as the theatre of operations, and
the experiment has now been in progress for
nearly half a century. During a considera.
bic part of this time, the colony has been up
held and sustained by the strong ann OF the
British govefnment-de defended by her navy
and nourished literally with her blood and
treasure. 1t is estimated that more than six,
teen millions Of pounds sterling have been
expended in the undertaking. And what is
the result? A population of 10000 souls
the slave trade prosecuted as vigorously al
ever-tbe naked, degraded and ldolatrous
Krooman, lowering still on the confines o
the settlement-the thick gloom of heather
darkness, not yet penetrated by the holy
hsh, Of christianity-a feeble spark Of civi
IIzalion glimmering on the border of an i'm
mense continent. Sir, there never was "a pc
Rod at which the sun OF civilization shone a
once over the whole world. Barbarism pas
ses like a cloud over the earth. 1t is nov
settled IN its deepest gloom, on Africa. |
viii be swept away, when, in the accomplish
mcnt Of the inscrutabie purposes OF Prov
dence, it becomes fit that it should envelop'
some other .and-perhaps our own Let tn
ardour of our zeal be moder ted by the re
HcctIUn that our utmost efforts may hasten
on its round, bat cannot chase II awey tror
ra'th