Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-07-29
WEST INDIA SLAVERY QUESTION
from the National Gazette I

In the years 1895 and 1924, MIR. Canning, as
one Of the British ministry, delivered, in the
House Of Commons, two speeches on the Abolition
of Neero Slavery in the British West Indies,
which are remarkable, not only for practical Wis
dom aud beauty Of expression, but as they con.
vey the sentiments and designs then entertained
on the subject by the British government
Touching the point of immediate or general abo-
ri,iou, public opinion in Great Britain was not at
that time formed or decided; there was no gene.
raj strength Of feeling; both the people and par
lament seemed TO look to nothing more than a
very gradual and qualified emancipation OF the
slaves, and Willingly to leave the mode Of ac-
compshment to the discretion and power OF the
cabinet or crowr.' Even MIR. Buxton. when Mr..
Canning adyerted to some suggestion which he
had made the year before,--observed. across
the table, that he only proposed to emancipate the
themselves. Few of the leading political poll
ticians aud philanthropists, the ministry includ.
ed,-presaged, or deemed possible the rapid de-
velopment and fixed determination Of public OPT
Mon, the wide spread and irrepressible popular
excitement, which have precipitated the govern.
ment into projects equivalent to immediate abo.
lition. The question is pressed on the king and
legislature with momentum like that to which
they we're obliged to yield in the matter of Par
iismentary Reform. In 1894, when Mr. Bux-
ton uttered what we have quoted above, Mr..
Canning proceeded thus:-
..The honorable gentleman is not prepared to
grant emancipation to the existing generation of
Slaves Certainly not. To let in the full light
of freedom on eyes scarcely unsealed, eyes from
which the scales of bondage have not yet been
pursed away, would indeed be pcrilous exps
riment. But would it not be scarcely less un.
wise to hold out the hope Of emancipation to the
next generation Of negroes? The slave would
view the freedom which was thus placed in pros.
pect before him, as an infant views any object OF
desire, without the faculty Of calculating the dis.
lance which separates him from IT, To hold out
the prospect for future generation. might create
dissatisfaction in the present race Of slaves, and
render their actual existence intoierable."
"Immed,ate emancipation to the negro him.
self. am most happy to hear the honorable gen.
tleman disclaim. 1t would Indeed be a fatal
gilt. To be safely enjoyed, it must be gradually
and diligently earned. Haud faciism esse pian,
rol,aif, is the condition under which IT has pleas.
ed Divine Providence that all the valuable objects
of human aspiration should be attained. This
condition is the legitimate stimulant Of audabls
industry, and the best corrective Of ambitious de-
sire. No effort Of an individual, and no enact
ment of q legislature, can relieve human nature
from the operation OF this condition. To attempt
TO shorten the road between desire and attain.
pent, is nine times out Of ten to 60 astray, and
20 Miss the wished for object altogether"
&" An l an enemy to the gradual relaxation of
the 81 stem Of Saveryl God forbid! II am
asked, whether [ am for the permanent existence
OF Slavery IN our colonies, say, No. But if I
am asked whether am favorable to its immedi-
ate abolition, say, No. And, if I am asked
which would prefer, permanent slavery or i'm.
mediate abolition, do not know whether, under
all the perplexing circumstances of the case, L
must not say, would prefer things remaining as
they are not from any love for the existing state
of things. but on account Of the tremendous re.
spousibility Of attempting to mend it BY suddeo
change"
Parliament and the country seemed to acqui.
esce then in this exposition. How different the
present popular apprehension of the case and the
necessary scheme Of action, as exemplified in the
resolution which passed the House Of Commons,
unanimously, on the Sd ultimo, to Wit.
Resolved, that it is the opinion Of this Com
mittee that immediate and e6scf,tai measures be
taken for the entire abolition Of siarery through
out the colonies, under such provisions for reg
ulating the condition ofthe negroes IS may COM
bine their welfare with the interests Of the pro-
-