Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1851-11-26
THE CONDITION AND PROSPECTS
OF THE NEGRO RACE.

try. We are not among those who see nothing
but evil growing out of the relation of master
and slave; we discern great good in the end,
even to the slave himself This may be regard
ed by mere casuists, men whose consciences are
every day changing, arrange the scales of justice
to each new phase Of the object-as perhaps al
together heterodox. Be it so. Neither the prac-
tice or the law can be changed by mere opinions
from any source If there be evils in slavery
there are also accruing advantages.
If it be wrong in the abstract and we might
be willing perhaps to concede as much, it has
left a relative bearing. If there is wrong in
slavery, the great foundations of that wrong
were laid in its introduction into this country.
After it was fairly planted here, at all events
since we became Nation, all sensible men will
concede that it has assumed compound aspect.
It's origin may be condemned, but that does not
remove the evil, nor can it be removed by force,
without breaking the very foundations of socie-
ty. 1t is not thing of day it has required
long time to fasten it upon the country, and
it will require long time to remove it. 1t is
not mere commercial question, an over impor-
tation of merchandise, causing arrangement of
the monetary affairs of the country; but 1t en-
tiers into the moral and social education of n
large portion of our people; it has become
part of our great industrial system, its effects
entering into every branch of business, and
largely controlling the habits, opinions, and the
happiness Of our fellow citizens. Mere eXpedi-
ents, however well directed, are inadequate to
its removal, and especially so, rs those who
would urge them live far away from slavery,
know little about its practical workings, and are
wholly irresponsible meddlers in a matter in
which they can do no good and may do much
harm.
Slavery will be abolished by its contact with
free labor; but never by the vain talk of out
siders, who would denounce it out of existence
after the fashion of Ampudia Procamations
against the barbarans of North America, in the
late war with Mexico. We have little faith in
arms length philanthropy in any case, and none
at all in that which is expended by northern ia
naticism, upon our brethren Of the South. All
must see that it has no other effect than to eX-
asperate those whom it is proposed to inAu-
ence.
Let us bring little practical life to bear up
on the subject What would you think of
religionst who desired to build up distant
church, and came to you with violent deauncia-
ton of yourselves and neighbors, and with de-
mands for aid in the proposed work? What
would you think of the lawyer who would de-
nounce and revile his jury, calling them thieves
u
their hands in favor of his client. What would
be thought of n candidate for office who should
think to gain favor by pronouncing the voters
an ignorant and stupid race of dots? OF the
eOurtier who would preface hisrequest by harsh
epithets against the authority which might grant
it So with reference to the removal of slave
ry, is it possible that it can be FASTENED by de-
nunciation of those who alone have the power
to act in the premises! But what was the con-
dition Of the slave before he came from Africa!
Is it not better than it was there! The Baptist
denomination alone, in the Southern States,
have 100000 communicates. This is five times
as great an advance as ever has been made in At
RIGA. The Western coast of Africa contains the
Colonization Society," germ of christianity
and civilization that had never existed there but
for the existence of slavery here. In these
things we see how Providence is ever ruling hui
man slavery for good-how, through its instru-
mentalities, perhaps all Africa is to be redeem
ed, christianized and civilized. Is it not certain
that without the momentum of Slavery in this
country, the Colonization of Africa would new
er have taken place; And is it not equally GER
tain that without such Colonization, no essen
tial progress in christianity and civilization in
that country would have been secured?
The condition of Slavery is bad enough; but
tno COuultOu VI hiliCd. ny COIliuOii COHocHl, 10
worse. African barbarity, and African Slavery
long ante date our Slavery; and, indeed, gave
rise to it. We have no means of explaining
the designs of Providence in permitting Africa
to remain so long in the thick darkness of abb
solute barbarsm but may we not chartably
infer that improvement was intended even thro'
the agency Of American Slavery? We would
as soon draw in question the Divine wisdom in
permitting African as American Slavery; and
rs soon enter into a verbal crusade against the
latter. We repeat again, slavery will be abol-
ished; it will be abolished by the inevitable law
of population; by the contact of the two classes
of labor. white and black, the former being the
most intelligent and productive, will certainly
destroy the latter. We may talk till dooms-day
but not an inch will we advance beyond what is
accomplished by the competition of classes
This may be termed cold and heartess theory;
no matter it is TRUTH and we prefer Truth to
all the intemperance of philanthropy, or the
mysteries of insane benevolence. All expert
ence has, or ought to have taught us of the cor
rectness of this theory; for we have not wit
messed the least practical good in all past agita-
tons of Slavery. 1t has neither been abolished
or lessened in its extent or in the burthens i'm
posed upon the Slave. Agitation has the aim
and the form of philanthropy but it has borne
none of its fruits. 1t is to the latter that our