New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-12-17
Civilization as. slavery.

tin1ent of humanity, and disgrace to the
people and the age by which they are en-
acted. Very probablyit is dangerous for a
community founded on Slavery to allow per-
sons oftheservile race, who have enjoyed the
benefits of freedom and become elevated to
the dignity of manhood, to come unobstruct-
ed among its human chattels' exciting in
them ideas of freedom and stimulating the
instinct of revolt. But to wise legislators
bent on the improvement, not the ruin of
their country that fact should suggest some
thing else than an obstinate conservatism.
When an institution becomes so palpably
replete with danger to every interest of So
cietv thatthe slightest shock threatens harm
to the whole fabric, simple good sense
would seem to require the most strenuous
efforts for its speedy removal, and nothing
but unaccountable folly can attempt to
put off the evil day by paltry palliatives
OF tyrannical expedients. If Slavery re-
duces great State to such pitable weak
ness, that it can be 50 far imperiled by the
mere complexion of an innocent and we'll
behaved sailor that it is compelled for very
safety to shut him up in prison the moment
he reaches its borders. one would naturally
expect tosee all the citizens Of that State not
positively demented, combined inthe earnest
endeavour to get rid of the cause of so la
mentable condition Of things. But the
destiny of tyranny is ever to be blind, and
tvrannical democracies form no exception
to the rule. Instead of seeking safety in
the way of progress and judicious reform
the holders of illegitimate and inhuman
privilege cling to their unnatural and frail
position, seeking to fortify, not to resign it.
In vain the condemnation Of the civilized
world seems to be pronounced upon them;
in vain reason utters her verdict; in vain
the upbraiding voice of their own conscien-
ces and the recurring doubts of their own
understandings. But this immobility is only
apparent the weight Of public opinion and
and the force of circumstances in time ac-
complish every thing that could be dcsir-
ed and the pcrnicious and dangerous insti-
tuition is finally numbered among the things
that We're.
Those laws of Carolina, Louisiana and
other Slave states. whereby free citizens of
New York, or Massachusetts, or England
or France arc consigned to prison merely
for having a swarthy complexion, have.
been again and again branded with the fit
TING stigma in the North and in England
At last they have been brought to public
notice in the Legislative Assembly of
France in the manner detailed below. The
discussion took place on the 26th ult.
NJ schoelcher rose to address interpretations to
circular, issued by the latter in May, 1850;
nThe circular of the Sth of October, l849, says
the Minister, "has already confirmed the recon-
mendations contained in those of the 29th oil Au-
gust, 1890 the It'll of December, 1887, the 10th OF
August 1872 and the 9th Of January, 1886, rela.
tive to the absolute prohibition to introduce into
the States of the American Union negroes and
people OF color whether free or slaves. Returning
to that important point my colleague thus ex-
presses himself; Perhaps you will think proper
in order to obviate the recurrence OF Inconven
ences of the same kind as those which took place
in the case of Coppens, that it may be necessary
to make it the object not only OF new warning
in the French halbOrs, but also OF fresh lnstruc
tons to the Governors OF our W est India colonies
to the effect Of informing our Captains that the
presence on board, in any capacity whatsoever, OF
people of color subjects them to the penalty OF I'M
i -, al 1yr-IN, nh
they shall have been brought to the United States,
without the possibility OF an appeal to the FEEDER
al Government The discussion which took place
on the goth of April last, in the House OF Com
mons of England, proves beyond the possibility OF
doubt that, in that respect no mitigation can be
expected, and that they must not rely on any der
ogation in their favor from the severity of that part
Of American legislation. | invite you, gentlemen,
to communicate without delay, to the Chambers
of Commerce, Merchants and Captains within your
maritime jurisdiction, the information contained in
the above circular.-ROMAGN DEsfossES.s"
Nj. Schoelcher denounced.the measures adopted
by the United States violation of the treaties
OF commerce and amty they have concluded with
foreign nations Would not France be justified
in retaiating? Suppose she issued decree,
torbidding the introduction into France of Ameri
cans with black or red hair, under the penalty OF
Imprisonment and conGscaton, would the United
States have a right to complain? Was not the
case precisely similar! France counted magis
trates, officers, members of the Institute, and rep
resentatiyes OF the nation, who were people of
color; and his colleague NJ. Perrinon, who had
been distinguished pupil of the Polytechnic
School, could not land i'll the United States with
out exposing himself to imprisonment and the gal
legs This could not be allowed by France. Eng
land had accepted these conditions, but that was
no reason why France should submit to them.
Placed as she is at the head of civilization, she
was bound to assume an honorable initiative and
demand the ablogation of those disgracefu meas
ures, which violated the still existing Treaty OF
lis, concluded with France, and the Constitu
ton of the Confederation itself, which provided
that no private State should make laws derogato
ry to the obligations imposed by treaties. In con-