The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-08-24

not account for the fact that they have not
multiplied in any degree commensurate with
the ordinary natural increase of mankind. If
they had 80 much as doubled once in a century,
from the time of their dispersion to the present
day, they would now far outnumbsr the whole
population of the world; Or if they had increased
during the last two centuries in the ordinary
ratio of the increase of the species, they would
exceed the population of the United States
perhaps twice told. But, notwithstanding their
intelligence, industry, and thrift, they are now
less numerous than they were two thousand
years ago What Is the nc cessary inference from
these well-known facts Is it not evident that,
in spite Of their pride of rece and religion, they
have for the most part been absorbed or ANAL
gamated with the people among whom they
have sojourned?
We have called attention to these historical
facts, to show that where races Of men are
mingled in different proportions, the less nu-
merous will seem wholly to disappear, and the
compound will Of necessity carry the predOnli-
nant characteristics Of the more numerous race
The admixtule Of the whites and blacks in this
country forms no exception to the rule. The
first result Of cOmmingling European and AT
rican blood shows clearly-definod traces Of the
latter Tho second, in which the white and
hslfbreed come together, leaves fainter traces
of the African; while in the third when the
whole blood Of white is mixed with tie mulst-
to, having only onefouIth African in it. the
issue will scarcely be disting uisaable from that
Of white persons, and will have bat one eighth
of African blood. Such persons, when free,
have only to change their residence and name,
to be recognised as white; and VIC have shown,
above, that the laws of the slavehOlding States
regard them SIS such. In tho free States, "a here
no legal necessity exists for defining the differ
once bstween white and colored, there ID
still less impediment to the ascent of tho infe-
rior race in the social scale.
Every Southern mans experience will fur
nish him with examples in illustration of the
principles here laid down.
We have called attention to the fact, that in
New England, New York, and Louisiana,
where the free cOlored people find most favor,
bu6Y hIS Oh LILO uCCliuSJ WLlIiS III OtHcI boCtAOHo
less humane and just to them, they are multi
plying. 1t is quite clear to US that these facts
are dependent upon each other. Where there
is a spirit of kindness and humanity to tho
people of color, and yet with superintendent
weight of prejudice resting upon them, there
will be disposition to release individuals from
the weight Of it. Social ties often become
stronger than the prejudices Of race, and re-
spectacle men, with scarcely trace of the AT
rican in them, Will cease to be regarded as
such.
1t is to be observed, also, that tho takers of
the census would naturally omit, from kind
nesq, or favor, or inadvertence, to place many
men on the colorcd list, particularly in the
more Northern States; and in this way thou
sands are Withdrawn from the prescribed class
We have already extended this article 20
unwonted limits, and feel admonished of the
propriety Of bringing it to close. We have,
other observations, which We ore
prompted to add, but which we must dispense
with for the present. G.