Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1853-07-23
Slavery As II Is.

A writer in the New-York Times, gives
the following truthful statement of the in1u-
ence OF Slavery upon the morals and intellect
Of the slave. lie snys;
az take ground ngninst the writer of n |
recent article in Hunts Merchants Magazine !
who maintains thut slavery is the (only) true, |
speedy, and successful method for civiliziug !
and christianiZing the heathen; and must say !
that my Judgment and my observation of
facts, priori, would by no means lead me
to recommend amy such scheme for preach !
ing the Gospel as he lnvors.
al do not admit, in evidence upon this
subject, the statistics that nre usually cited,
of the number of slaves counted ms religious
10y their owners or by themselves. A profess
sion or name for religious character among
them appears to be founded upon the
exhibition of certain phreusied states of the
imagination, exc,nble in amy mind not hah-
itually disciplined TO TO The control of reason,
and in the direction of words aud actions,
according 10 certain precepts aud formulas"
In speaking of the slave PREACHERS lie
snys:
"The Office among the negroes, us among
other people, conirrs II certain importance
and power. A part of the reverence attached
W tlb uulltS 10 gwen W tilt btiruns Nulllil
and self confidence nre cultivated, and
higher ambition aroused than usually can
enter the mind of a slave. The selErespect
of the preacher is also increased 10y the con-
sideraton in which lie is held by his mnsters
as well ms his fellows; thus the preachers
generally have an air Of superiority to other
negroes; they acquire remarkable memory
of words, phrases and iorms-n sort of Curl
Gus poetic talent is deveopeh-n habit is oh
tanned of rhapsodzing aud exciting furious
emotions, TO a great degree spurious AMI
Temporary, in themselves aud others, Though
the imagination. ] was once Introduced TO
preacher, who was represented to he quite
distinguished among them. took his hand
respectfully, nnd said | was happy to meet
him. He seemed to take this for joke, and
laughed heartily. lie was a 'drver," and
my friend said "lle drives the negroes at
the cotton oil the week, and Sundays lac
drives them at the Gospe-Gon't YOU, John 2"
lie commenced to reply in some Scuptural
phrases, soberly, but before he could say
three words, began to laugh agaiu, aud reeled
off like a drunken maii-entirely overcome
wish merrinent. lie recovered himself in
moment, and came up to US again. They
poy he breaches very powerfully, too yah,
n,assa! 'kordn to der grace-yah! yih ?
and he staggered off ngain with the peculiar
hearty negro guiiaw."
"There is no element in the difficult prob
lem Of slavery which we of the North so
little comprehend aud leave out Of view in
our theorZing as the exceedingly low moral
aud intellectual condition Of the slaves. In
one of my earliest letters, after entering Vir-
Qinia, I conveyed TO you the impressions
which had received on this point from the
general appearance, lnngnngc, and converse
ton of the negroes. These impressions have
been strengthened aud confirmed by further
observation Of them rs | have proceeded
South. ! described 70 you the influences
which, 10y destroying ambition aud elevated
nims, aud by eultivniing improsi'lence aha
careIessuess, aud by stimulating the loves
impulses Of man, combine 10 keep tlIe ne
gro in condition of mental clidislless am
Inoral debasement.
"In considering greet system, we ennno
be too careful not To lie deceived 10y lis eX
ceptionaI appearances. Individual instances
An which various Christian virtues aud grnco
are beautifully exhibited by slaves, are con
.tantly cited on both sides by SOuTllerners NJ
well as NOrtherHers, " hiclI eau only properl,
le considered us ed,lies IN tlIe current q
slave life. Give the system fair play, wher
ao sheltering poiuf of aU unusually iudulgen
and sensible master, or peculiar hattra
driA of mind, such as in higher class, nc
oordiug to the p'Overl, produces The poe,
nntl'you see only u dark, deep tide of stupid
iiy and superstition.
aThe mind and higher faculties Of The negr
are less disciplined and improped in sidosry thai
an the original JarbGrism ct ne race, becaus
ia il,e latter state he has at least TO exercis
shein under tho necessity Of contriying Y
procure food. rnimens, and habifaIion u