The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-11-18

fought. The light oil three or tour Sappath
schools is seen, glimmering through tn
darkness that covers the black population oil
whole State. Here and there family is
found, where humanity and religion impel
the master, mistress, OF children. TO the Ia
borious task Of private. instruction. Great
honor is due to those engaged in this philan-
thropic and selfdenying course: and then
reward shall be received in the day when
even cup OF cold water, given from Chris
tan motives, shall secure recompense.-'
But, after all, what is the amount Of in
stauction given to slaves? Those who enjoy
the most of it, are fed with but the crumbs
of knowledge which fall from their masters
table--they are clothed with the mere
shreds and tatters OF learning.
Nor is it to be expected that this state Of
things will become better, unless It is de
termined that slavery shall cease. Them
preston is almost universal, that intellectu
al elevation units men for servitude, and
reuu,,Is II InpossIuIU ~ Iv'ai,. s'.~.-- 49, -i-'-
condition. This impression is unquestion
ably correct. The weakness and ignorance
Of their victims is the only safe foundation
on which injustice and oppression can rest.
And the effort to keep in bondage men to
whom knowledge has impaired power,
would be like the insane attempt Of the
Persian tyrant, TO chain the waves OF the
sea, and whip its boisterous waters into sub
mission. We may as soon expect to fetter
the winds, seal up the clouds, or extingulsb
the fires of the volcano, as to prevent en-
lightened minds from recovering their natu-
raj condition of freedom. Hence, in some
OF our States, laws have been enacted, pro-
hibiting, under severe penalties, the instruc-
ton OF the blacks; and even where such
laws do not exist, there are formidable num-
bers who oppose. with deep hostility, every
efior, 10 enlighten the mind of the negro
These men ere determined that slavery shall
be perpetuated; and they know that their
universal education must be followed by
their universal emancipation. They are
then acting wisely, according to the wisdom
of this world, when they deny education to
slaves-ihey are adopting measure to Sc
cure their determined purpose. II is, how
ever, policy akin to that which once induced
the violators of female chastity TO cut out
the tongue, and cut off the hands Of their
victim, TO disable her from uttering or WI
ting their names. She had to be manned,
or they would be brought to justice. II is
such policy as the robber exhibits who silen-
ces the voices that might accuse him, and
bures in the grave, the witnesses OF his
crimes. He is determined to pursue his oc-
cupation, and his safety in it requires that
be should not indulge in the weakness o.
keeping conscience. How horrible mus
be that system, which in the opinion OF it;
strongest advocates, demands, as the neces
saIy condition Of its existence, that knowl
edge should be sent out from the minds o.
those who live under it---that they shoult
be reduced as nearly as possible TO the leve
Of brutes, of living machines-that the pow
ers of their souls should be crushed! lie
each one Of us ask, can such system b
aided or even tolerated without deep Grimm
atty
i 3. Ii depripes its subjects, in a gred
measure, of the privileges Of The gospel
/ You may be startled at this statement, an
feel disposed to exclam, 'our slaves are al
, ways permitted and even encouraged to al
tend upon the ordinances Of worship. -
, The privileges Of the gospel, as enjoyed b
: the white population in this land, consist i
free access 10 the Scriptures, a regular go'
e pei ministry, and domestic means OF grace
4 Neither Of these is, to any extent worth nj
a ming, enjoyed by slaves, as moments col
a sideration will satisfactorily show. The Law
. as it is here, does not prevent free access
e the Scriptures-but ignorance, the NATURE
J, result Of their condition, does. The Bib
o is before them, but it is to them scale
/ book. "The light shineth in the darkness
II but the darkness comprehendeth it not. >
o Like the paralytic, who lay for years besl'
l. the pool Of Bethesda, the waters oil healir
!. are near him, but no kind hand enables hi
n to try their efficacy. Very few enjoy Il
T, advantages of a regular gospel ministry: :
or They are, il is true, permitted general
a. and often encouraged, to attend upon 4
I'd ministrations specially designed for tn
~ masters. But the instructions commune
I'd ted on such occasions are above the level
lis their capacities They listen as to propl
ell swings in an unknown tongue. The Preat
o. ers Of their own color are still farther irt
u ministering to their spiritual wants--as tn,
is impart to them, not Of their knowledge,
he their ignorance: they heat their animal ie
ng ;nps. but do not kindle the flame OF int
far gent devotion. 1t has been proposed
es. some jealous and devoted friends oil
nd colored race, to supply the deficiency
vn gospel ministrations among them, by
is employment Of suitable missionaries, v
5h- may labor exclusively among them.
his need not here speculate on the probable
nus suits OF such scheme if carried into ell
IA in community where there is no intent
the to emancpate; for before there IS io'
the among us benevolence enough to adopt
YES execute it. on scale large enough to ct
on. any highly valuable purpose, the comm
ags ty will be already ripe for measures
! of emancipation. Such spirit OF kindl
nan towards this unfortunate race as this sch'
age presupposes, can never co-exist with u
uce termination to keep them in hopeless b'
Ible age. Further, there are no houses oil
his shin exclusively devoted to the colored
dge ulation. The galleries Of our own chu
ers, es, which are set apart to their use, w
tely not hold the tenth part Of their numbe
sire and even these few seats are, IN gem
nish thinly occupied. So that, as a oooy'