The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-11-06


INTELLECTUAL CAPACITY OF COL.
ORED MEN.
We are among those who assent 10 the com
mon opinion Of the identity of the human spe-
cles but whether the position be correct il n
matter OF triflng consequence, as we imagine
that none will deny the humanity and moral
accountability of what they may regard as tho
lowest species of rational creatures
Colored men are generally placed lowest in
the scale OF intellectual beings but with what
reason we are unable to divine Il il n fact
that nlne-tenths of the negro race il in n state
OF savage ignorance, but in this resnect their
condition in no way differs from that of other
races-the Indians of this Continent for in
stance, and the inhabitants of MANY parts or
ASA and the South Sea Islands Great no;ns
nave been taken to civilize the Indians iyb;Io
until within few years the negro has onIr
been regarded rs fitted TO be a newer Of wood
ana drawer OF water Governments and ~
dlWduals have expended countless thousands in
the education OF the Indians, while the moor
negro has been allowed only to nick nm tho
crumbs that fall from the white mans tahlo
Yet under all these disadvantages no bos NJ.
tanned to far higher degree of civilization
knowledge and Christianizaton. than tho In,
uian 1t ls true that the Indian has disnIovod
great talents m war-wisdom forttude and
Valor--and IN council rude eloouence which
mas Deem much admired But il is not imnroh.
aOle mat II we were rs familiar with the his.
tory OIL the negro in his savage state wa sbonId
ma parallel virtues and talents 10 those lis
Played by the Indians In regard TO the tai
ems OF tile TWO races rs they have been drawn
lor'h ny education, the preponderance is de-
- IL
cldedly IN favor OF the negroes. We know of
no individual of the Indian race who stands
forth at the present day rs man of marked
and decided talent We hear of no orator mo
writer, no man of learning among the numer.
Gus tribes whose education and civilization has
been the peculiar care of the Federal Govern.
ment for years. But of negroes there arc
scores OF speakers and writer's in this country
in Canada, the West Indies, and Liberia. who
will compare favorably with white men Per.
sons not merely disinterested, but strongly pre-
JUDGED the other way, have been struck with
the high order of eloquoncc exhibited by negro
orators at the abolition meetings. The intern
perate language used by these men on such
occasions doubtless exerts highly pernicious
influence upon the true interests of their race !.
nut the talent displayed by them is neyerthe-
less highiy credltable to that race and there
fore should not be overlooked.
we have seen several newspapers edited and
published by eoored men, which give evidence
OF a degree OF literary requirements and toI.
ents which cannot be despiscd by anv class Of
readers, whatever may be thought oftbe views
inculcated Occasionally ESSAYS anneor FROM
the same source which would do honor 10 tho
most gifted pens in the country
In the British West Indies. eolored man su
the highest positions in society physicians
lawyers, merchants, and planters; they are hut
little, If any, behind the whites of the islands
in intelligence refinement, and wealth. Tho
Attorney General Of the island of Jamaica was
a few years ago a man OF color and il de-
scribed as a lawyer Of fine talents and an ac-
complished gentleman II is in these islands
that coloFed men have hitherto enjoyed the best
opportunity for the improvement Of their facul-
ties and va consequently find the wealthy por-
ton OF them refined in manners, high spirited,
and with cultivated minds
In Liberia the colored race has demonstrated
its capacity for selfgoyernment "A problem
which has proven 50 difficult Of solution by the
most enlightened white races If we except
England, il will be difficult TO find in Europe a