The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-01-27
Negro Improvnbility.

An article on the subject Of Ethnography,
the science of races Of men, which appears
in the Edinburgh Review for October, will
be peIused with no small satisfaction by
persons taking an interest in the progress Of
human intelligence, and the present condi
ton of the colored races. The doctrines
which the reviewer establishes from varie-
ty Of evidence, are TO this effect-that not
withstanding the extraordinary diversity Of
mankind, all are Of one species or family;
and that the dveTsties which strike us as
so remarkable. are result Of circumstsn-
ces. Taking the Caucasian, or white races,
as the most perfect type, physically and
mentally, it is made out satisfactorily that
tribes may be gradually cultivated up 10 this
standard, or depressed below it. 1t seems,
however, from the evidence sdduced, that
races may be much more rapidly degraded
than elevated. Misusage of all kinds, bad
food, inclemency Of climate, severe bodily
labor, will soon bmtify, so to speak, the
human being; and this fact is indeed obvi.
Gus from common observation. The raising
OF the species from lower to higher
standard, is work comparatively tardy; yet
the elevation is certain, provided the inf1u-
ence, are employed. In this latter depart.
ment Of the subject one reads with pleasure
Of the improvablity Of the negro races; and
we see, as in vista; not only the gradual
change of their features, but the actual abate-
ment of color in their skins. Negroism
appears to be result of centuries Of expos
ure to tropical cline, along with degrade
fion of habits. Alter these habits for the
better, submit the negro through several gen
erations, to the usual modifying influences
of civilisation, and there seems no reason
to doubt that at least comparative whitenes:
of skin would be the consequence. Refer
ring the reader to the article in question for
luminous treatment ofthis curious subject
we may extract the following passages, bear
ing on negro transformation:
, 1.-THE negro type is one which is not un
, frequently cited as an example of the per
manence Of the physical characters of races
The existing Ethiopian physiognomy is sait
+ to agree precisely with the representation
, transmitted to us from the remotest periods
in those marvellous pictures, whose preser
walton in the tombs and temples Of Egypt
has revealed to us so much of the inner lif'
of one OF the most anciently-civilised ma
I tons of the world; and this physiognorny, i
, is further maintained, continues at presen
3 identically the same from parent to child
D even where the transportation Of Negro
9 population to temperate climates and civil
ised associates Gas in the United States) ha
\ entirely changed the external conditions o
Q their existence. Now, il is perfectly tru
that the negro races which have made nj
n Advance in civilisaton, retain the progna
g thous projecting jawl character, even il
1 temperate regions; and this is precisely wha
weshould expect. But it is not true, whe
e they have made any progress in civilization
a that they remain equally unaltered. tn
v most elevated forms of skull among the A
: ricsn nations are found in those which hav