The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-11-04


the Negro race.
lncon6rmation Of his position, formidable
array Of great names, found only in the white
race, is presented, and it is triumphantly assert
ed that not one solitary improvement in Me-
chanics, Arts, &c, can be traced to the Negro
race.
In our ignorance we should like TO be in
formed what improvement in Mechanics and
the Arts can be traced TO the Indian tribes and
how many Newtons, Bacona and La Places have
/ appeared among them.
We fear that the list of Philosophic names
would not be very long, nor the number Of use
full inventions very great; yet we have never
heard the paucity Of such names aud inventions
adduce6 Is a reason for enslaving the rovers of
The wilderness.
But, says NJ. Johnson. the African mild is
so degraded, so incapable Of advancement when
left to itself, that in million Of years it could
no; become capable Of casting pewter spoon.
We were somewhat surprised that an assertion
Of this kind should be made by gentleman Of
profound eTudi;iou and extensive historical in
formation. IL does not harmonise entirely with
the statements of the learned Matte Brun, pret-
/ " good authority, We believe. This accurate
and able writer, in his description Of Africa,
says that SEMINAR, city containing one hun
bred thousand inhabitants, and place Of large
commerce, carried on by caravans with Egypt
and Arabia, was founded by negroes.
/ lie SAYS. moreover, that the country between
| she Senegal and Gambia is inhabited by the
Yalof, negro tribe, mild, hospltatlr, gcnerou.
md ils,hfn rac", among whom just.c, is rrgu.
lsIIy administered by chief Judge who travel.
ovrl the kingdom Among other occupation.
their people are Engaged in the manufacture Of
eotton-gooJs.
The statements Of the celebrated though un-
fortunate traveller, ClaPPerton, are worthy OF
consideration IN this connection. lie tells US
, that "from the Blight of Benin TO Saccatoo,
I large aud Populous kingdoms follow each ether,
containing towns and cities of mud houses,
surrounded viii mud walls, Peopled with 10,
GOO, 1900, 20,lU@ ana even &, 0o0inhabitants;
,5e county well cultivated, and 'ls people en-
played ~ rarj0us manufactures for domestic
IRE, such as rrs0ri0g, Gysios, tanHing. reoykiEg
n ir-7 and other aeisls, and ia pottery" We
tiinA 3; 'ot al all improbable that such people
might learn TO cast pewter spoons in less than a
million Of years.
Bat we are not anxious % endeaTor TO proye
tie Negro race intellectually equal to tbs white
race. Admitting that in many points Of intel
iect it is inierior-wnat then We can ander-
stand how this infensuty gives the Negro a
claim to the sympathy and aid of the more ia
vored race, but We confess inability 10 see
in i. reason for booming them TO everlasting
bondage. 'Ehe Negroes may be inferior in Wig
or, activity and comprehensiveness Of intellect,
but, in regard TO other traits, fidelity humanity
and hospitality, we doubt whether they will
shrink from comparison with the white RAGE
The most intelligent travellers in Africa unite in
attributng to them the possession Of these quail
tiles in an eminent degree. These travellers al
concur in stating that they found the Ne
groes invariably better men than the Moors
and, surely, people among whom the exouis ;
itely touching proverb, "strike me, but saw
no harm Of my NEITHER" is az familiar as house
hold words, never created for the sad fate
% eternal slavery.
But Mr.. Johnson says "there 10 more negro
slavery in Africa, than in all the world besides >,
Where did he obtain information Of this faet7-
Surprising, however, the fact to be as stated.
will Mr.. Johnson adduce the existence of slave.
~ in Africa, as an evidence of bsrbarism7-
hat h.. - 81
America indicate?
We have thus examined the groun6s on which
Mr.. Johnson rests his defence of slavery
Whether it he owing TO obtuseness of intellect,
Or other causes we know not; bat we are free TO
acknowledge, as the result Of the examination, |
hat the ground seems TO US to partake much |
more Of the nature Of quicksand than solid
sartb, very insecure foundation for so impos- |
ng n structure.
We might here conclude our remarks, but
here are two or three other points in Mr.. John
IONS address worthy Of notice.
Mr.. Johnson presents a dark picture of the
wills which would accompany emancipation.-l
The first il that an immense number of valua-
pie citizens would be forced 10 emigrate to save
heir property. Does not Mr.. Johnson know
hat if slavery is TO be fastened as perpetual
:urse upon our State, much greater number
II citizens, citizens, too, of high order of char
ct-r, will leave u.s. 1t is but few DAYS since
me Of our native Kentuckians, a nobIer than
whom does not exist, said 10 us, "If measures
re not soon taken TO remove tas evil, shall
eel obliged To leave my native State, though /
shall be as sad at parting as were the Jews
when obliged TO forsake their beloved Jerusa.
en-" This man gave ntterance to the thought
which now fills thousands OF our best minds.
Another effect, which Mr.. Johnson regards as
cry lamentable, would be, that about wo-tbirds
( the happy slaves Of Kentucky, would be car
led TO the southern States for the cultivation
f cotton, &C., where a large proportion would
peedily die. We have been very much i'm
ressed with the anxiety which this argument
Indicates for the welfare of the blacks, especially
$ il comes from one who owns a cotton plan
alton in Arkansas, and who can, therefore.
peak with authority in regard TO the unbealthi-
less Of the southern cline, and its consequent
nftnsss for The residence Of the negroes. We
= been led To believe from various causes, es.
ecially from the views presented by southern