Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1836-12-07
Dec. 7, 1886.

emancipation, as three yeaIs ago it was
opposed to it. 1t has done my heart good
to hear people Of the highest standing
here, and those who owned great numbers
of slaves, freely admit that their opposi-
ton to emancipation was all torong-tha,
it was one Of the greatest blessings that
ever came upon the country, and that no.
thing would induce them to return to
slavery. When l read Of the fears Of the
people in America, in regard to emancI-
patton; of the prejudces against color
and Of the way in which they declare
against abolition, as something mat Is
going to open the food gates OF war; dis,
union, Sc. &c, my wonder s only second
40 that which | feel, when reflect upon
what was once my Own feelings upon the
same subject. Hall the opposers Of abo-
/ Iitioa in the United States, including save
holders themselves, could spend six months
in any part of the British West Indies,
abolition societies might dissolve them.
selves at once-there occupation would BE-
gone.
How miserable seems all the decIama-
lion Of our learned American D. DIS, and
our judges, a. dignitaries Of every de-
partment wien upon the subject Of the
impossi6iLt}of white and black men liv-
ing together in the same community on
terms Of equality! Were they here,
they would soon perceive that the imPos.
Si5ie thing is for the whites to maintain
their distinction, ifths blacks are allowed
ITO possess equal rights. do not pretend
to say that in the West Indies the dstinc-
tons of color are done away with but
every day is weakening them, and it is
1 demonstrated that these distinctions are
founded only on prejudice, created by
slavery, and are rinel6ls.
The alarm which was felt in the West
Indies, as 10 a general depreciation Of pro-
perty, and stagnation Of business, has
proved quite groundless. The Islands
have rarely, if ever, been so prosperous as
at present; and in this Island, | think
may safely say, there have been more i'm
provements in buildings, agriculture, &C.,
in the last 1.-TWO years, than in any preced-
ing two years. Decidedly has the greatest
comfort and happiness increased, educa-
ton AMI religious knowledge been pro-
NOTED, and public morals been greatly
improved.
fear | may weary you: but, sir, WHEN
look at this country, and witness the
blessed changes which have been brought
about by enanci patton, and when con-
template my own country, strainlng every
nerve TO maintain system so fraught with
evil, as slavery. my heart is full. Slavery
in the West Indies, as every where else,
has always stood in the way Of the pro
gress Of Christianity. Hence the con-
tinually repeated complaints against the
missionaries in oil the Islands Slavery
and Christianity were pitted against eakh
other, the one ~implormg secrecy and
darkness, the other demanding light
Mark now the difference. In this Island
numerous parish churches which have
been in ruins since the hurricane Of 1881
pre- rising from their ruins. The Metho-
dlst missionaries are extending their sta
tions, and multiplying their preachers and
assistants in every direction. The Mo-
ravians have just finished fine new chapel
in town, and in short, the solcitude among
owners Of estates, to have their laborers
brought under the influence Of religion, is
as evident as is the fact that their safety
and interest depends upon the mo~aI char
ac,er and religious improvement Of these
Iaborers.
might say much Of the prodigious in
crease OF schools. In this respect the
change is just what We should expect ii
10 BE-, great and truly gratifying TO every
benevolent mind. Infant schools are about
TO be introduced into all The Islands; and
l am now boarding at the same public
house with a gentleman who arrived II ON
England, two weeks since, fully prepared
with funds and every other requisite &c
build up free infant schools in all the
Islands
| might go on to speak Of marriage:
among the black and colored Of the OBJ
scrvation orthe Sabbath; ofinprovement'
in the dress great domestic comforts, sc.
in regard to all which, the greatness O
ahe change for the better is, in this coun
lfy, quite evident and undisputed, howeve
much the desolations which freedom ha
occasioued in the West Indies, may
Inourne1 over by our American patriots
There is one other subject which
think bears strongly upon the policy c
The American Coloniz ltion Society.
believe the main pillar of that society q
me North, is the idea that the blacks car
%, live in peace, and on terms ofequaIit
. the same community With the whites
low mistaken this idea is, may think
appear BY what is now going on in th
West Indies. And here, let it be remen
bered, thai the people Of this country hav
entertained the very same preiudices
rainst color that now prevail in the Un
led States. You are doubtless aware TIL
the colony Of Demarara is comparativeI
new ana that there is a great call for