The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-08-11

peeiS and Prospeets-The Bible and the Bay
onei-The Netc York Celebration of Brush
West Indian EmaneipatioH--Mr GdrTison's
Specialize Union Linen of Ohio RsUer
Steomers--A NeW Plan for Negro Cabins"
&c, &c,
New York, august 9Th, 1853.
To the Editor of the National Era:
BY arrivals within the last two days, we have
the usual avalanche Of statements and surmises
and specalations respecting the prospects of a
conflict between Russia and Turkey-a story,
so old, tina. one would think it would have, ere
this, become stale, fiat and Improbable, had
not his observation taught him that "pomp and
circumstance of glorious war" have peculiar
attraction for most of men, somehow or other !;
that, in other words, they seem to delight in
seeing their fellow beings cut each others
throats, and to gloat over the bare prospect of
their getting to work at the interesting job.
1t is exceedingly difficult TO make up an opin-
ion, as to the result of the movements of Russia
and Austria in fulfiiment of their designs upon
Turkey. But there is one fact very perceiva-
BILE and it is a reluctance for war, except as a
last resort which controls the civilized world
There is no doubt ABOUT the growth of this pa.
ciic feeling. What is the primary and chief
cause, | shall not stop to inquire. IL may be
commerce which is always selfish or it may
be direct moral advancement in the sympa-
thies OF the people, bringing them at length to
some degree of appreciation Of the principle of
Universal Brotherhood. IL may be either Of
these causes or both acting co comparatively But
no matter what is the cause, it is pleasing
theme for contemplation.
So far as the motives of Russia and Austria
are concerned, they evidently have an eye to
self-interest, and do not mean to let slip the
golden opportunity Of partitioning Turkey be-
tween them, if they can help it, And it is to
be feared that neither England nor France will
give itself much trouble to prevent it Alas |!
for poor Turkey" will soon be as famiIiss as
once wac, "Alas for poor Poland!" Nothing
will prevent her downfall and spoliatiou, sooner
or later. To depend on the interposition of
any foreign nation to prevent it. would be TO
depend on a broken stat, especially in the alb
sence of all prospect OF making much by the
arrangement. Ii is the height of verdancy to
expect OF q nation which has played the bandit
herself over and over again, and despoiled and
stolen the lands of other nations, to do much
in the way of peace making, unless something
is to be made by it.
Meanwhile, the insurgents in China are rep.
resented by the news to be still in the way OF
triumph. There is good deal of rejoicing in
some of the papers-the Journal of Commerc,
especially--over the alleged prospect of the
Bible and Christianity being carried into as
tendency in China, as in Turkey also, at ths
point of the bayonet The circumstance Of
this class of papers rejoicing, may be taken a:
clearly indicating how much of the name there
l.
attended the New York Anti Slavery Soci-
ety's celebration of the Anniversary of British
West Indian Emancipation, ut Flushing The
attendance was good, considering the inaccessi-
bility Of the place, and other circumstances
There was large proportion of colored people
in attendance, as was quite natural, and alto
gether appropriate on an occasion OF celebra-
ting the emancipation of eight hundred thous
and of their own n-trodden and desplsed
race from the thraldom Of the worst form Of
despotism that ever cursed the earth-worsi
because of its pettiness, all other considerations
aside. Lauren Wetmore presided, Oliver John.
son acting az Secretary. The leading speak.
er-the orator of the day, as the phrase is
Mr.. GREELEY, was not on hand. Mr.. CARR
sons speech was ghtforward, clearly
spoken, and unusually terse one. Ii was stri-
kingly free from the scathing denuncations
which mark this gentleman's less jubilani
speeches ut the Anti Slavery Conventions of his
party. Kind, yet making no compromise of hi
distinctive views Of the Church and the State
Mr.. Garrison has degree Of selfadapting
power in this respect which have observed OF
q former occasion with agreeable surprise.
allude to the late Hale dinner at Boston. Tn,
| conciliatory tone Of his speech on that occasion
called out commendatory remarks from severe
presses Of tho political Anti Slavery class, as
deserved to do.
The other speakers were Mrs Rose, of tn
city, whose remarks were very effective as we
as seasonable, rising to genuine eloquence {
| times; j. b. Taft, an agent of McGrawvill
College; Frederick Grove, the English gent;
man, whose Guatemala colonial scheme | nj
ticed some time since; DR.. Wellington, ROWAN
| Johnson. Thomas Van Rensselaer,, and MIR. Wi
| kins. We have named these speakers in tn
order of their appearance, not without design
| They were the only oolored actors on the occa
sion, as well as the last ones; and, even wheI
they did speak, they were introduced as person
| who adesred to say something" or equivalen
Introductory phrases, from which any one no
| ACQUAINTED with the declared policy and usua
custom of our no-voting friends, might have
readily inferred u disposition to avoid the res
possibility Of amalgamation And here, il
the most pleasant and friendly way, feel NOV
ed to say that it surprised us to see not single
colored person on the platform yesterday al
though the occasion was that of the celebration
of an event, rs ] have already said, Of specia
interest TO the colole race Ii seemed to me
as did to others whose attention was arrested
by the same omission, that it would nave beer
most befltting TO have secured the attendance
of some one or more Of the many distinguished
oolored orators of the country, or ut least put
those who were present on more distinct terms
Of partioipatve equality.
feel that, even at the risk Of having my
motives misconstrued, in relation to an occasion
where there was 80 much to encourage and
crafty the sincere friends Of liberty without
distinctions, that ought to give gentle hint
on another feature of the proceedings. ! no
ticed that the President in introducing some
Of the other speakers also, proclaimed the by
no means unusual fact that they had sought
the opportunity, in phrases similar to those
quoted above! For myself so embarrassing
would have been such refrigeratory and seem
ingly inyidious form of introduction, 1t would
have required much more than ordinary
" movement Of the spirit" or some very import.
ant end to be accomplished, TO induce me 10
break silence after it, was the more surpris-
ed at this innovation upon general custom, be-
cause Of the general efficiency and urbanity Of
the presiding officer in carrying out the pro.
gramme Of the day. Il these kindly sugges-
tons prove seryiceable on future like occasions,
shall not regret the making Of them.
In laudatory and deserved notice of the
general facilities Of intercommnnication be-
tween the East and West, furnished BY the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and the Union
line Of steamers running from Wheeling to
Louisville, given by the st. Louis News, find
among the specifications Of peculiar advanta-
ges the statement that the route offers great
inducements for amiiiss," by reason ofthe steam
or accommodation IA wo understand the drift
of the article. Happening to have inspected
one of the steamers Of the Union line, was
Il II