Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-09-03

Of the numberess arguments, adduced by the enc
mics of patton to Justify the ehslavenent OF the
sons of Africa, none is more frequently preached and
none at the same time palpaby unfounded, than
that the negro race is naturally inferior Even the
premises were granted-by what logical process cun
the conclusion be sustained? Does it follow that the
man of inferior mental endownents must be the abject
slave Of him. whose mental poweris superior? Is the
man OF sharp mental acumen, and penetrating intel
ect to lord 1t, and tyrannze those less happily
endowed? Is the Ignorant man to be the slave OF the
intelligent, the savage of the civilized 1t is at once
absurd and foolish to advance such theory for were
it practically enforced, not even those who prate
so loudly about the natural inferority of the negro,
would longer retain their personal freedom for as
general remark, they not the men of the vigorous
intellect and giant mind. Hence, we apprehend that
the promulgaors of this theory would be the very last
to wish to translate it into action. But enough of
ths we deny the assn nption, which lies at the bottom
of this theory, that the negro is by nature inferior
The intellect of a savage race cannot be measured
till their powers of mind are developed and expanded
by mental culture. Effort is preliminary to attainment.
No criterion exists by which can measure the men
tai power of a man, whose life has been passed amid
influences adverse to intellectual effort Whatever
may be mans mental cndowments, naturally
brilliant and powerful soevcr may behis mnd-he will
become gradually assimilated to those, among whom
he lives. Placed among half civilized beings--he par
takes In and enjoys their pastines; among Intellectual
and civilized men, he gradually dlvess himself Of his
habits of babarlsm, and casts aside those besal and
degrading habits characteristic of savages TILL then,
the savage is brought within the reach of influences
calculated to develope and expand his powers,-we
are incompetent to Judge of his Intellectual calibre.-
So long their minds are shrouded in superstition and
gnorance,-so long as the foot of the oppressor is
planted firmly upon their necks-and so long as no
efforts made either to leave them free to set about
their emancipation from the thraldom ofignoance
or to strike from them the calling chains of slavery
we have nothing to guide us in estimate Of their
capacity Such, precisely, being the condition of the
sable sons of Africa, at the present moment, -beng
alike denied their personal freedom, and the means OF
intellectual and moral cuture-we should far oversteT
the limits of our knowledge, we to Judge them ar
inferior race. Nothing therefore, can be argued un
favorable to the negroes mental power his present
unenlighened state and we now assert, that the uni
ted testimony of all history and experience goes tC
prove that the negro is on all equality with the Other
races of men,--in respect Of mental endowments.-
Take but single instance in Ancient History,-the
Carthagenlan naon,-and the candid reader will yielt
the point. From the smallest beginnings becoming
one of the mightest nations Of antiquity, Carthage
will forever remain on the page History monumen
OF the capacity of the negro And every page
history confirms the truth that with equal advantages
the negro is capable of equal attanments but having
already spun this dull essay to unreasonable length
we leave readers to supply the omission of furthe
citations.
Let us all strive to remove the causes of the negro
degraded state-to break the chains of his ensave
ment and to open the way for the peaceable reign o
intelligence and christianity in his mind and heart
So shall the blessing of those who ready to per
ish come upon us, and God, even our own God shall
cause his face to shine and his richest consolation t.
inhabit our earts'-Esser Register.