The New York herald., 1845-02-19
The frst Negro Discussion ut the Society
Library Last Evening.

i
| One OF the most extraordinary audiences ever
witnessed within the walls OF the Society Library,
assembled last evening to hear the discussion be-
tween Mr.. Grant, and Dr. McCune Smith, the lat
ter colored man, on the capacity OF the negro for
CIVILIZATION Rather more than one half OF the au-
dience was composed OF negroes of both sexes, and
every variety of color from the ebony hue of the
pure African to the yellow tinge of the Hottentot
Venus. Many of the leading aboltionists Of the
| city were present, and only about half dozen
| white females This room was quite crowded.
| AT half past the meeting was organized by
| the appointment of DR.. RICHARD 8. KIssAM, high
ly respectable physician Of this city, and who has
devoted considerable attention to the subject dis
cussed-as Chairman.
DR.. HoysToN was then nominated and chosen as
Secretary on the part Of Mr.. Grant, and Mr.. REA-
SON, cslored person, as Secretary on the part of
DR.. McCune Smith.
The CHAIRMAN announced that the speeches of
the disputants were limited to thirty mlnutss-that
it was to be regarded as strictly scientific de-
bate, all manifestations Of feeling the part OF
the audience were to be avOlded-and that Mr..
Grant, who maintained that the negro was incapa-
BILE OF obtaining the same degree OF civilization
as the white races OF mankind, would open the dis
cussion.
Mr. GRANT accordingly stepped forward, and, af-
ter few preliminary remarks, announced the fol
lowing propositions as forming the basis OF his ar
gHment:
lst. All mankind divided into families who were
either primarily distinct from each other were mir
uously separated into different species at some subse
quen PERIOD and that change has taken place since
that event. which must have been forty centuries prior
this date.
2d All families, species Of man animals, are sepa
rated into distinct types One of the savage the other OF
civilized e and these types are identified by the color
Of their hair feathers Those families OF men whose
heads covered with dark hair, uvsrsal to
the race combined with skin either black, brown,
copper coored. and utterly incapable Of keeping pace
with the white Of men, civilization and improve
ments in the arts and Sciences and they also incapa
BE % Of
inhabited by the mightest nations Of antiquity,
Egypt Greece and Italy results from the amagamaton
which has taken place between the original white stock
and Negroes, Arabs, and other dark races.
4h The domestic system Of slavery at the south is at
this time grand conservative principle for, without the
existence Of that institution, the southern portion Of the
United States would now ne principally inhabited by
civil rights OF American citizens and all history demon
srates that such population never can nor never WILL
live long in heImony sxGent under despstS T gSve,h6
American SO called republics.
9TH The slaves at the SOUTH taken in the aggregate,
enjoy happiness than those of the masses OF
coored population could enjoy in this country under any
other circumstances These slaves will be emancipated,
and will cease in the southern States the ear
period that will be mutually beneficial to master and
save the operation Of natural causes that are now
in full action and entirely distinct from the abolition
movements.
These positions were then defended and illustrat-
ed by Mr.. Grant IN very cogent, clear and con-
vincing manner.
DR.. SMITH replied with great Auency and ability
Mr. GRANT responded, and the champion OF the
negro again replied.
Mr.. GRANT evinced thorough knowledge of his
subject, and although, as will be readily under
stood from description of the audience, the SYM
pathies Of the majority of the hearers were utterly
adverse to him, he sustained his part of the argu
ment with marked ability, and in a very trium-
phant manner. The press Of highly interesting in.
te!ligence, however, entirely precludes the possl-
bihty OF giving even synopsis OF the argument on
both sides, but we may hereafter give report OF IT,
Considerable amusement was afforded by the
examination of the head of negro named Will
son, introduced by Dr. Smith, and OF a gentleman
who volunteered an inspection of his In contrast,
and interesting little episode took place in the
form OF a small discussion about the "facial an
gle"
When Dr. Smith concluded his second reply, al
adjournment was suggested, as it was growing
late. The gentleman who had voluntarily pitted
MS skull against that Of the negro Wilson, hers
cian-that the master-sprit Of the age, some Or.
M0oncaf or Metcalf, had proved that the negro
and the white races were. one-aEd concluded by
offering resolution to the effect that Dr. Smith
had shown himself to be immeasureably superior
to Mr. Grant
This resolution was very properly laid on the ta-
BILE, and the motion to adjourn was then put and
carried. The negroes and abolitonists then left
the room chatting and laughing, apparently In
high glee land the comparatively few intelligent
ditors who concurred with Mr.. Grants views, de-
parted perfectly satisfied with his advocacy OF their
side of the question, and with an evident anxiety
to reach the open air.
PARK THEATRE-General Welsh, and his un-
rivalled company OF Equestrians, continue their
most successful career For the two past evenings
the house has been a regular jam-boxes. par
quette, pit, and gallery, regularly crowded, and all
went off amid the strongest expression of approba-
tion
A GRAND Vocal AND Instrumental CONCERT
comes off on Friday evening, in the Tabernacle,
Broadway. The New York Melodeons, Mrs.
Strong, Miss M. Taylor, and whole host of juve-
nile musicians are to make their appearance on
the occasion.
PROPOSED LINE OF PACKETS FOR BALTIMoRK.-A
meeting of merchants and others is to be held at
the American Institute this afternoon, for the
purpose of taking into consideration the expedi-
ency Of establishing line of steamers to run be-
tween this city and Baltimore.
GRAND BALL.-The Silas Wright Club give a
grand ball, at Tammany Hall, this evening. All
the world and his wife, together with numbers Of
their beautiful daughters, are expected to be pre-
sent. According to preparations, it is TO be spen-
did affair.
ARRIvAL.-The Hon. Lewis Cass, Senator elect
for Michigan arrived in this city at late hour last
evening, and put up at Howards' Hotel en- route to
Washington. He will remain in this city during
this day, and proceed to Washington on Thurs
day.
THE CONCERT AT THE TABERNAcLE THIS EVE
NINa.-There is little fear of its being forgotten
that Madame Pice gives her concert at the Taber.