Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-08-01

splendid American possessions She who
once trampled with The iron hoof of OPP
preston over the land of the Andes, now
has not foothold on the continent.
The British West India Islands are
numerous and valuable In 1929, the
slave population was over 6O0,090. In !
1884, the British Parliament abolished |
the system of slavery, and established, as
substitute, an intermediate system of
apprenticeship, for six years, which was
to result in complete emancipation. The
colonial legislatures of Bermuda and
Antigua preferred the plan Of immediate
emancipation, and with the permission of
Great Britain, adopted it, in the place of
the apprenticeship system.
The slave population, in all these ISL
ands, immensely exceeded the white
Antigua, where immediate and uncondi-
tional emancipation was proclaimed, had
only $500 whites to more than 10000
slaves These are fac's which speak
volumes, when taken in connection with
the success OF the experiment.
AS was prophesied by the friends Of
immediate emancipation, the apprentice
system did not work as we'll as the other.
The enemies of freedom, however, seized
on some of the difficulties attending it,
and endeavored to dlsparage the cause
These efforts of emf mics aroused to in
vestigation. The operation of the ap-
premiership was examined, and great
interest was excited in England, to destroy
it before lis appointed time. 1t was found,
and Thome & KimbIIi's book is now
{ pouring the conviction over America, that
in Antigua, where emancip patton was i'm
mediate and entire, its operation was good:
and that the evils complained Of in the
other islands, originated from the substi-
tute which had been adopted.
While the subject was thus awakening
attention abroad, the legislatures OF Bar.
bados and Jamaica have aiken hold of it
in earnest and have decreed universal
liberty on the Isl Of next August That
day will pour the light Of freedom or
more than 100000 apprentices, in Jamai-
ca and Barbados.
The legislatures Of Montserrat, Trini-
dad and Dominica, will probably follow
the example. There is reason therefore
10 expect, that very soon, the British Yves
Indies will be free from every vestige o.
bondage"
The example of Great Britain, vii
produce powerful effect on the govern
ments Of Europe, and the existence O
liberty in so many large and important
islands, will excite great anxiety for lis
} enjoyment in other islands, Alread we
are Informed, that slaves will elope by
night ia boats from those in possession o
France, and push for Antigua, Barbado:
and Jamaica. We may therefore reason
ably conclude, that universal and comp!et,
Emancipation in the West Indies is no
far distant.
= How great is this result in its bearing
2 on the happiness of the present genera
ton, and on the future! That dreadfl
tide Of ruin, which hung over the pros
: poets of succeeding times is rolled back
b and The plague is stayed! Who wishe
e to bid it again rol. on! Contemplate th
: prospects of that bright archipelago a
: they were; contrast them with what the7
!, are now! and who will presume to 50,
the old is better? The 1st Of August i
a day Of great anticipations. Thought
o of the past and the future-.-of the Yves
: Indies and of America, crowd upon US
e 1t is bright rainbow of promise to tn
+ colored Peep among us; they index
ought TO rejoice and cold and selfish mus
be that heart which does not s7mpathiz
with :hen.
2. These erents arc Of great importanc,
d considered as illustrations of fundo
d mental principles.
= 1t is characteristic Of the r ost substan
tial faith, that 1t rePoses with unwaverin
assurance upon the great principles {
(, the divine administ ration. When thcs
ID fundamental truths are clearly perceived
t the believing soul adopts them at once a
ID worthy of all acceptalIon. Still, even tn
n believer may secure additional vividnes
4 of impression from contem plating thes
providentiaI occurrences, which attend
~ submissive conformity on the pathway
E. truth. The history Of all ages teache
lr that events are predestined to bow befol
ce principles God has bestowed upon h
in own word an eternal ascendency over a
the changes Of tine, and all the concern
r. Of eternity. To those. therefore, wi
will not listen to the still Small voice
pure truth, there often comes with cor
- manding majesty, the ut,erauces of ,
J according Providence. On such occ
Ia sions often, he bows the heavens, al
= comes down, and the mountain. melt
~ his presence.
us On the question Of immediate emanc
~ patton, these thoughts directly bear. I'll
81 recent events in the West Indies are CT
~ culated to illustrate those permanent trut
~ respecting the rights of man, which our