The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1853-12-14

s Il The following Oration by Miss PARINrHA
DEAN, delivered at the Commencement of the
Hiram Institute in June last has been communi-
Gated for the Ohio Star.
'A AFRICA.
's7 Why has Africa been enyeloped in so much
mystery, and why yet unknown to the people of
the surrounding continents! Is here no object
for the watchful solictude of the plilanthropist no
range for the research of the traveller, no wild
scenes where the poet may gather inspiration, or
the antiquary revel in The hidden lore of the An
clients? Here have existed great and powerful
kingdoms, and the land of Egypt still remains
the scene of the bondage of Israel's sons, where
the Pharaohs reigned and the Ptolemies ruled.
| The spiendor and magnifcence of this country is
interviewer with its entire history and of its wealth
aud power evidences existing in the vast public
works and noted ruins, grand even in their desola-
tion. Here is also the Ethiopia of Bible record
but the former greatness of these kingdoms is de-
parted aud although the Arts and Sciences were
fostered here and the inhabitants famed for early
civilization, they are now nearly reduced to an
equality with the tribes surrounding them.
But interests us to know Africa as it is, rather
than as it was: We find in the interior a vast
tract of unnhabited, unnhabitable territory. or al
UNEMPLOYED region where our fearful Imagination
finds formidable obstacles to improvements fertile
coast washed by seas and oceans. presenting facili
ties for the most extensive commerce. The ma
tjority of the natives in state of rudest barbarsm
having made no progress even in those simple art
that conduce to the elevation and peace of society
many tribes having no written language and, con
Isequently, without education, their religion pa
{ ganism in which the most horrid barbarties ar,
Ipractised. Panthesm degrading and superstitious
| or the corrupt system of Mohammedanism, which
has abolished the alarming sacrifice of human life
but in other respects not elevated their condition
and frequently without an established form o
government, or, if possessing one, despotic in thu
extreme. ss
/ What is the cause of the present condition O
the Africansf Why like other eastern nation
has their progress not been .'onward and upward
Go to our legislative halls, examine the records o
the past-our statute books: what means thos
clauses restricting our Intercourse with the peopl
of that continent? +? Are no longer to exchang
the products and manufactures of countries
are the rights of free trade, an unlimited inter
change of our various commodities which we 8
strenously demand with other governments, TO b
5 prohibited here by our laws No: it deprives I
only of the privilege of tearing Afric's dark sor
from homes and country and delivering them to-
lifelong bondage. only to satate our avarcious dt
sires. III .ss.
Does justice require the American people to /
: thus restricted, who boast of our land as Liberty
chosen home, where the light of Revelation dawI
y in all its funess. and proclaimed from every no
: trum is heard the divine injunction s. thou sha
love thy neighbor as thyself?" Stand upon II
s sea shore as that stately vessel presses its wa
through Atlantc's pillows, approaching southel
port. Does it bear treasures from foreign lands
Behold its freight. See the oppressed sons
Ham led forth forth from their prisons. manecle
bound together like hardened criminals who ha,
: transgressed all law, and are no longer permittt
to I've. But who can trace the scene farther
"a view their departure from their native land, wher
C. in addition to the lamentations of the hopele
captyes, and the wild, piercing shrieks of the de
o'ale bereaved ones, the very countrymen of q
unfortunate are seen as his captors.
Condemn them not too hastily. Paul instruc
p VS. 'nat without law is no transgression impute
E linen why should the African tremble TO sell /
oroInef' even though he should be delivered n
the deepest slavery? He knows not of the ne
feet law OF liberty, he has not Jehoyah,s word
A tell MN OF the priceless Jewel which he is tn
consigning to destruction, he has not heard of II
souls immortality, its Redeemer or the pereup
ef joys reserved for the saints. Is the African to
Is; main in this deep ignorance? Is the darkness
his mind never to be penetrated by the pure lie
Il tors a.. 4 l.