New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-06-01
Fact Axninst Theory.

From the Boston Transcript
An incident at the late Anti-Slsvery meeting in
/ New-York, irresistby reminded rs OF one OF the
wicked Peter Pindars wicked stories, which must
| be familiar to many. Some philosofhe tuinA
| il was Sir Joseph B anks-was represented as nam
tanning the theory that feas are bat dimnutlVe
species OF lobster. IL b-ol-l, E7e-' no1H, o..
scientific learning aud research io tif si'' 'tW
this odd concert. There was one pr4eHcAl way oi
testing IL namely, by boiling heas IN IN water ahd
/ il they should turn red triumph awaited the
/ sopher-his theory was verified. IL Oouihg
should not have the coloring elect upon tnch' II
would be proof positive that they did not belong %
the respectable family of Holsters. Inc eNPsH-
ment was 10 Eooner suggested than II was trled.-
The heas were boiled With intense anxiety CIR
Joseph watches them in the pOt-lncredGiolsy
sees them retain their original cOlOr-wipcs tue
perspiretion from lis forehead and looks more
cosely-ndignantly observes the Peryerse insects
in utter disrespect Of bis theory putting On no
change OF hue-uutil be vents his chlgrln anu as
gust, and at the same time, recants MS theory IN
the exclamation Fleas are not oosters-d--h
their souls -
When Dr. Grant got up at the Anti-Slavery
meeting to prove that the negro was but hi5het
order OF monkey, he very cordially welcomed
by many who seemed to be fully OF his oplnon.-
Most glby and learnedly did he discourse % US Oh
the distinguishing marks OF neriouty, which eN-
clude the negro from the genus homo. and renders
1t phlos ophically ialsehoOd for the white man
to call him brother. He babe us mark the retreatng
forehead, the let black complexion the prOtrudn5
heel the woody hair, uniform in its color the thick
skull, the long fingers, like those OF the ourang
outang and so unlike those OF the Caucasian man.
He showed, most concusively to many that the
negro, by his physical formation, was necessarily
"uncultivable that was his wordl-a creature
"by the hand OF Nature marked and commits
stoned to be newer OF wood and drawer OF water,
and nothing more. The attempt To elevate him
was an attempt TO circumyent Nature and the
laws Of God. The instinct, which led IS to hold
the black man in subsection, was true 70 science
and physiological laws. And all persons who would
patiently nteuogate science could convince them
selves OF the fact
Very learned was the Doctor; and very big
words did he use in explaining and urging his
theory. Very sincere he appeared ALSO aud II
half that he said was true, then the simple negroes
at Chagres, who eat monkeys are no better than
csnnibals. Very loudly was the Doctor applauded
by the prOslavery gentlemen present, as he con-
cuded He sat down as cOmplacent and seii-as-
sured as Sir Joseph Banks was after reading his
paper on feas 10 the members OF the Roya! AGA
DENY, before the boiling ordeal had been tried
The speech of Douglass, the colored orator, made
a sad rent, however, IN the Doctors story. Prompt
as a stee-tap when it is touched, Douglass had
retort ready Tor every interruption. or instance,
as he was enumerating the mental offices to which
the preudices of the whites cOufine the blacks,
some one said" You would cut our throats, ii you
could" go no. we would cut your hair replied
Douglas. He surpassed every speaker present,
including even toe redoubtable Doctor in the eo-
quence, pith and rhetorical grace OF bis address.
But It was objected to Douglass, that he was only
half Il negro. Dr.. Grants theory was not yet
wholly demolished. There was still gas enough in
it to keep it floating. But at that moment, stout,
bulnecked negro, thick-lipped, bow-legged, backer
than midnight with every African characteristic
exaggerated, made his appearance, Suddenly as
Banquos ghost on the stage. Captain Rynders
started back and exclaimed with an oath-"thats
the genuine article, and mistake Doctor
Grant seemed struck with dismay, aud began 70
fear that heas might not be Holsters, notwithstand
ing ali his quotations from Blumenbach, Agassiz
and Lawrence.
The sable apparitiOn was the Rev. Mr.. Ward,
a respectable clergy man from the interior OF New
York State. With perfect self possession and in a
clear well mOdulated tone OF voice, he entered
upon an extemporaneous address IN reply TO the
monkey theory Of Grant. But Mr.. Ward himself
was enough. His presence was the best contuta-
ton of the scientific absurdIties which had been
uttered The intelligence, the command Language,
the good huInor ana good sense, which he display
ed were irresistible. 1t was one OF those instan-
ces wherein a simple practical fact falls and pull
verses q huge pyramid OF speculation. Never
WAS the QrgumcHtum al hOminem used so trlum-
phantlv Every sentence from the speakers lips
seemed to pierce the Doctors theory, until down
it came fat before the audience, ike a perforated
balloon. Cheers and paudits and laughter attended
the collapse and in the midst OF the tumut, there
was still small utterance, which, being inter
preted. sgniiied Negroes are not monkeys
d-n their souls ~