The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-04-01

who rs very pltful and OF tender compassion.
| Do you say, ave don't want them here let
them go to Africa L
That the providence of God has provided a
refuge in Africa, is indeed, great and noticea-
BILE fact but that is no reason why the church
of Christ should throw off that responsibility to
this outcast race which her profession demands
of her
| To fill up Liberia with an ignorant inexpe-
rienced halfbarbarized race, just escaped from
the chains of slavery, would be only to'prolong
for ages, the period of struggle and conflict
which attends the inception of new enterprises.
Let the church of the North receive these poor
sufferers in the spirit of Christ; receive them to
| the educating advantages of Christian republi-
can society and schools until they have attain
ed to somewhat of a moral and intellectual
maturity, and then assist them in their passage
to those shores, where they may put in prac-
tice the lessons they have learned in America
There is a body of men at thCaS ~ COM
parativey small who have been do- ssNhs !;
and, as the result this country has already ex-
amples of men, formerly slaves, who have rap
Idly acquired property reputation, and educa-
: ton. Talent has been developed, which, con-
sdering the circumstances, is certainly remark
able and, for moral traits of honesty. kindness,
tenderness of feeling-for heroic efforts and
selfdenals, endured for the ransom of brethren
and friends yet in slaveryGthey have been re-
markable TO degree that considering the in
fluence under which they were born, is surpri-
sing.
The writer has lived, for many years ON the
frontier-line of Slave states and has had great
opportunities of observation among those who
formerly were slaves. They have been in her
family as servants; and, in default of any other
school to receive them, she has, in many cases,
had them instructed in family school, with
her own children She has also the testimony
of missionaries, among the fugitives in Canada,
in coincidence with her own experience; and
her deductions, with regard to the capabilities
of the race, are encouraging in the highest de-
gree.
The first desire of the emancipated slave,
generally, is for education. There is nothing
that they are not willing to give or do to have
their children instructed; and, so far as the
writer has observed herself or taken the test-
mony of teachers among them they are re-
markably intelligent and quick to learn. The
results of schools, founded for them by benevo-
lent individuals in Cincinnati, fully establish
this.
The author gives the following statement of
facts on the authority of Professor c. f. Stowe,
then of Lane Seminary, Ohio, with regard to
emancipated slaves, now residentin Cincinnati
given to show the capability of the race, even
without any very particular assistance or en-
couragement,
The initial letters alone are given They
are all residents of Cincinnati.
l "B-. from Carolina. Furniture ma
kcr; twenty years in the city: worth ten thou
sand dollars, all his own earnings; Baptist
&C. Full black; stolen from Africa
sold in New Orleans: been free fifteen years :;
paid for himself, six hundred dollars; Il farmer
owns several farms in Indiana Presbyterian
probably worth fifteen or twenty thousand dol
lars all earned by himself
"K-. Full black from Georgia deal
or in real estate; worth thirty thousand dol
lars about forty years old free six years paid
eighteen hundred dollars for his faraily mem
$ Der of the Baptist church received legacy
:. from his master, which he has taken good car,
y Of and increased
# &C. Full black, of Virginia Goa
G dealer about thirty years old worth eighteen
|, thousand dollars paid for himself twice, being
8 once defrauded to the amount of sixteen hun
. dred dollars; made all his money by his OWL
' efforts-much of it while slave, hiring hi'
@ time of his master, and doing business for him
A self; a fine, gentemanly fellow.
4 "W- Three-iourths black barber
and waiter; from Kentucky; nineteen years
free paid for self and family over three thou
: sand dollars deacon in the Baptist church
&C. D. Three-fourths black white
| washer from Kentucky nine years free paid
fifteen hundred dollars for self and family re-
; Gently died, aged sixty; worth six thousand dol
lars
Professor Stowe says, "With all these, ex-
cent G., | have been, for some years.
personally acquainted, and make my state
: ments from my own knowledge"
; The writer well remembers IN aged colored
woman who was employed rs washerwoman
in her fathers family. The daughter Of this
woman married q slave. She was q remarka-
bly, active and capable young woman, and, by
her industry and thrift. and the most perseyer-
ing self.denial, raised nine hundred dollars for
her husbands freedom, which she paid, as she
raised it, into the hands of his master. She
vet wanted hundred dollars of the price, when
he died She never recovered any Of the mo-
ney.
These are but few facts, among multitudes
which might be adduced, to show the selfdeni-
AL energy patience, and honesty, which the
slave has exhibited in state of freedom.
|
uals have thus bravely succeeded in cOnquering
for themselves comparative wealth and social
position. in the face of every disadvantage and
discouragcment The colored man, by the law
of Ohio. cannot be voter, and, till within
few years, was even denied the right of testi-
mony in legal suits with the white. Nor are
these instances confined to the State Of Ohio.
In all States of the Union we see men, but yes
terday burst from the shacklcs Of slavery, who,
by a self-educating force, which cannot he too
much admired. have risen TO highly respecta-
BILE stations in society Pennington among
clerygmen, Douglas and Ward among editors
are will known instances.
If this prosecuted race, with everydiscourage-
ment and disadvantage, have done thus much,
how much more they might do, il the Christian
church would act towards them in the spirit of
her Lord
This is an age of the world when nations are
trembling and convulsed mighty influence
il abroad, surging and heavng the world, az
with an earthquake. And is America safe
Every nation that carries in its bosom great
and unredrcssed injustice has in II the elements
Of this last convulsion.
For what is this mighty influence thus rous-
ing in all nations and languages those groan-
ings that cannot be uttered, for mans freedom
and equality
o, Church Of Christ, read the signs of the
times Is not this power the spirit of HIM
whose kingdom is yet TO come, and whose will
! 10 be done on earth rs it is in heaven
But who may abide the day Of his appear.
ing' ".for that day shall burn rs an oven and
he shall appear IA swift witness against those
that Cypress the hreling in his wages, the
widow and the fatherless. and that turn aside
tie stranger in his right and he shall break in
pieces the opprcssor"
Are not these dread words for a nation
bearing in her bosom 80 mighty an injustice I