Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1839-08-15
JAMAICA.

The contrast between the once hourishing
and prosperous condition Of this Island, and
It's present prostrate and ruinous state, con
stitutes an impressive and melancholy com.
mentary on The insane and fanatlcal policy
OF the British parliament. The warning
voice of experience and reason was in vain
raised 10 deter the ministry from that suicidal
act of false philanthropy. Despite the rep
reservations of those who were qualified to
trace the inevitable consequences Of emanci-
patton on a race untitled by nature, habits
and education for its rational enjoyment,
overzeaous negrophiiism prevailed, and the
system OF apprenticeship was substituted for
slavery. The result ot this wretched and
laundering Interpretation of the true princi.
pies OF Philanthropy is entirely what might
have been, and indeed was anticipated. One
OF the most fruitful countries on the globe is
rapidly falling into decay for lack of cultiva-
ton. The freed negroes can with difficulty
be brought 10 labor at all and when they
do, their toll is given at such disproportonate
and exorbltant rates, as to render the profita
bic culture OF the staples OF the island, nearly,
if not quite, impossible. The natural indo-
lence of the African race prevents them from
ever resoriing To industry AS q means Of OBJ
tanning subsistence, until all other resources
are utterly exhausted. Coercive measures,
by which, when in scrvile state, they were
compelled TO the performance Of their tasks
are prohibited under the new system; and
pccunlary remuneration is so little priced by
them IN comparison with the sweets of idle
ness, that unless, as before iDtimated, il is
comparatively enormous, they will not give
up the luxury of doing nothing. The cx-
uberant fertility of the island furnishes spon-
tancOusly and IN abundance the most exqus-
ite fruits and esculent vegetables; and while
the negro can gorge himself with such de-
iicions fair at little or no cost, he will rcluc-
tantly consent to toll, the reward of which
procuros him only what he before enjoyed.
Such has been the deplorabe issue Of the
experiment Of emancipation in the British
West Indies. Gloomy as is the reality, the
prospect for the future appears still more Ia
meniable. How the condition of things can
be melioratcd, or in what manner it will be
terminated, it is difficult to divine. II seems
that nothing save the Abandonment of ia.
maIca and It's almost total dcpopula,ion, must
be the ultimate result. The blacks cannot
be induced TO resume their servitude-nor
can they be coerccd into regular habits of
industry. The planters can ACCOMPLISH moth
ing without slave labor or its equivalent
tn ir lands cannot be titled, nor their har,es,s
gathered. Already we perceive indications
Of the approaching difficulties. So imprac-
'icaDle IS 1t. to obtain The necessary labor,
That large plantations can no longer be
worked-surveyors are continually engaged
~ dividing them into small sections, and dis
posing OF them at ruinously low prices
Every one seems employed in selling his
property, in order to leave country thus
cursed with the baneful consequences of
pernicIons legislation. 1t is dreadful to re-
fleet upon the misery, poverty, ruin and blight
winch have fallen upon one Of the fairest
spots IN nature, through the unyieldng OBJ
stinacy of ignorant and ill-regulated fanati.
cisn-- .Nei0 Orleans Com. Bulletin.