The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-09-13
EMANCIPATION.


In the South. Every moments additional refec-
ton but convinces us of the absolute impreg-
inability OF the Southern position on this sub
Ject. Facts, which cannot be questioned, come
thronging in support of the true doctrine-that
Slavery is the best condition of the black race
in this country and that the true philanthropists
should rather desire that race to remain in
state of servtude than to become free, with the
privileges of becoming worthless. Wherever
the experiment has been made of liberating the
black race on any large or extensive scale, it
has lamentab1y failed. Not an example can
be cited of the contrary character. And we
are justified in the belief, that were this course
pursued in relation to our own negroes-were
they removed from contact with the whites
they would relapse into barbarism. Individual
cases of emancipation, even with the surround
ing influences of civilization and in the daily
intercourse with superior and enlightened
race, have failed thus far to effect any good
purpose. The Virginians need not be told
that, as a class, there is not more worthless or
dssolute set Of men than these free negroes.
Our slaves even look upon most OF them with
contempt, and speak of them with a sneer.
They deserve it. There are some few honorable
exceptons-but, as class, they are the most
despicable characters our State contains. This
is not peculiar to Virginia In the Northern
States as well as in the Southern-indeed,
everywhere-this is the true state of facts and
we were not surprised, therefore, to see free
State refuse admission to the Randolph negroes.
Without, then going the length of declaring
that Slavery IN tic abstract, Slavery every
where, is blessing to the laboring classes,
may we not candidly and calmly, and upon
the maturest and soberest reflection, say that
to the black race of the Union it is blessing,
md he
confer upon them? 1t is in fact the only condi-
ton for which they are now ftted-and they
who are endeavoring to thrust them into an
other, are but feeding them with apples of
Sodom'"
We are highly gratiGed to learn that the
Enquirer, with others Of its Southern cotem-
porlries, are willing to discuss the true and
great question of the day-the existence of Sla-
very as a permanent institution in the South"
We shall be attentive observers of the contro-
versy-for discussion implies controversy; and
although an outsider, we may be permitted to
read and to chronicle the result of a free dis
cussion. At first blush, it may seem little
improbable that the Enquirer, in view of its
immediate antecedents, should be the friend Of
are well aware that, under the auspices of the
renowned Father Richie, THE NAPOLEON OF
THE Pass" in his day, the Enquirer did bat
tie nobly in the cause of Emancipation. The
present editors in the above paragraph indicate
very clearly that the paper under their man.
agement has "taken a step backwards that,
from advocating Emancipation, it has wheeled
about, and become the deadly foe Of Freedom,
and the champion of Slavery. But it is some
thing that they still cling to the right of free
discussion. But do they, though? On reflection,
it occurs to us, that, only a few weeks ago, the
oracle and organ of Virginia Democracy ex-
pressed great Indignation at the Wheeling ca
zette, for daring to avow hostility to Slavery
aud thought the soil of Virginia was desecrated
by the presence of such foul and pestiferous
sheet. Does the Enquirer repent and retract
that ebulltion of intolerance, and is it now
really and heartily in favor of free discussion ?
We hope so, but we have our fears.
If the editor and his Southern contemporaries
really mean to discuss the subject Of Slavery,
they will admit into their columns whatever
may be said against the institution, as well
as what may be said in its favor. The cir
cuation Of the Southern newspapers is lO-
cal, and what they say in behalf Of Slavery will
never be seen by those who are not implicit
believers in the utility and morality of the sys,
tenn; and since they complain that Slavery is
misunderstood by the Northern people, they
must be DESTROYS of spreading correct informa-
ton before the Northern public. We will ven
ture to suggest plan by which this can be
done. 1t is simply this. Let the Enquirer
enter into an arrangement with the National
Era, on principles of fair reciprocity, for the
republication of each others articles on this sub
iect. Other Southern papers might enter into
similar arrangements with the New York Tri6-
mne and other Ant-Slavery papers and in this
way the question may he thoroughly and fairly
discussed. and in good temper, with entire free
dom from the use OF offensive epithets. The
people on both sides OF Mason and Dixon's line
will thus be placed in possession of all the facts
and principles bearing on the subject, and can
not fail to arrive at correct conclusions The
South will then see what the North has to do
with Slavery, why it is constrained by sense
OF duty to "resist Slavery aggression" and
whatever else can be urged against the moral
ity and utility of the institution. The North,
on the other hand, will be put in possession OF
the arguments for Slavery, its utility, its neces-
sity to the South, and the dangers of "agita-
ton" What says the Enquirer to this propo-
stion? Is it friendly to thorough free discus
sion?
In this connection, we present the following
article from the Journal Of Commerce, relative
to the effect of Emancipation in the West In
dia colonies. 1t will be seen that a more hope
full view Of the case is presented, particularly
as to Barbados, than the South has been &C
customed to contemplate. The Enquirer will
please copy. We must say, however, in ad
vance, that the effect of emancipation upon the
West Indies, however disastrous in a pecunia
ry point of view, should not prejudice the caus.
in the Southern States of this Union. The
cases are wholly different in several important
particulars. In the first place, the proportion
of slaves in the British West Indies, at tIie era
of emancipation, was something like twenty tt
one; while in the South there are near two
whites to one slave. The West India negroes
in consequence of this disparity of whites, wer,
little removed above the condition of sayases
or, if their savage ferocity had been tanned b,
Slavery, it was only to be succeeded by list
less ignorance and stupidity. The slaves of tn,
Southern States, on the contrary, are intermix
ed with civilized white people, and there ar,
few plantations on which they are so complete