Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1855-11-10
DAILY VIRGINIAN.
The Natural History ofthe Ant-For the IN
struction ofMessrs. Wilson Summer, Sew-
ard Greely Weed &c. &c.

ara, 0freeiy, Wceu &c &C
Genteincn-When you say that you arc for
universal freedom-that you abhor slavery in ev-
cry form, that it is immoral, illegal and unnatu-
raj, we suppose you do not mean 10 limit your
adherence to human or negro slavery, or -
would not be universal.
Perhaps You nrc not aware that a wide and
hitherto neglected field for the exercise OF your
humanity, exists in another department OF the
natural kingdom of animals besides the genus
homo. There is a species Of Ant tFormica,)
called the Red or Pale White Ant. which has
slaves. in the form Of their own species, (the
black anti upon whom they are entirely depen-
dant for every necessary, comfort and enjoyment
of this life; and what is most revolving to ones
moral sense, they kidnap them by strntagem pre-
cisely az the slave cntchers now kidnap the ne
groea on the coast of Africa, and sell them INTO
slavery.
The process is this When the kidnappers
(the red ants) arc at out to sally forth on u ma
randnp expedition, they send scouts to ascertain
the precise position in which colony OF negroes
nlnok nnts may be found;the scouts having dis
covered the object of their search return to the
nest and report their success. Shortly after
wards the colony of red ants marches forth
headed by vanguard, consisting of abont eight
or ten nns, which is continually being changed,
the individuals which compose il, when they
hnvo advanced little before the main body, hal
ting falling into the rear, and being replaced by
colony, they dispcrsc, wandering through the
grass and hunting about, as II aware that the oh
iect Of their search was near, though ignorant
of its exaot position. At last they discover the
settlement, and the foremost OF the invaders,
rushing inpetuousy to the attack, are met Crap
pied with and frequently killed by the negroes on
guard; the alarm is quickly communicated to the
interior of the nest; the negroes sally forth ny
thousands, and the red ants, rushing to tho res
cue. n desperate conflict ensues, which. however,
always terminates in the defeat OF the negroes,
who retire 10 the nnermost recesses OF thelr
dwelling. Now comes the scene of pillnge;
the red ants. with their powerful mandllles, tear
open the sides Of the negro mt hill; and rush
into the heart Of the citadel. In II few minutes
eaeh of the invaders emerges carrying In ITS
mouth the pupa Tan insect in the third state OF its
eXistence) of Il worker negro which 1t has obtain
ed in spite Of the vigilance and salor ef its n0tu-
rnl guardians The Red Ants return in perfect
order to their nest bearing with them their liv-
ing burden. And this is not ALI they keep small
Ter insects Uhe Aphidcs) in order that they may
milk them or extract from their bodies a saccha-
rine fluid for ther own nourishment as we take
milk from cows; and they keep assenolages OF
them n. ..s.r separate and private property
Well, gentlemen, here is II system of slavery
carried on in tho same way, Tor the same purpo-
ses, and identical, in all respects with human
negro slavory. Why should the slavery of1tho
negro excite your sympathy more than that of
tho ant They are both equally of Gods creation
The negro is of no more Importance to the entire
" of the chnin of organized beings than the ant
II either were stricken out, link in the chain
would be wanting the ant Performs its allotted
purposes in tho system of creation rs the negro
there is no more evidence Of wisdom or design
in the creation or organization OF the ono than
the other. .....#
You would say the negro has been made in
the image of God, and the ant not. II, by the
image of God, YOU mean intellect, the ant has
been made more so for in proportion to the size
of the ant its intellect is infinitely greater than
that OF The negro, for what other term can be just
y applied to that faculty which leads or enables
them to form political communities, with estab-
lshed governments. sovereignties, sociai ranks
and appropriated occupations, and also product
ing regulations or exacted habits of conduct re-
sembling those enforced by human laws and pol7
itoR. ...g 5HIn t'
You say negro slavery is contrary 10 Gods law.
Why should not ant slavery be alike contrary to
tho same law! You say the negro is equal to
the white man. Why should not the negro ant,
be equal To the redl Mr.. Seward says the South
orn Shareholders aristocrats. Are not the
red ants also aristocrats!-they both alike have
their slaves to work for them. Indeed, there is
one species of ant cFormoa Flava) that makes a
property Of the cows, for which they contend
with great enrnestDess las much so us u slave
owner for his slave) and uses every means to
keep them to themselves, This species OF ant is
even more arisocratio than the Southern slave
holder, for il stays in its palace, living like
prince md having its food brought to IT. Negro
slaves are generally well used, SO are ant slaves.
it being alike to the interest of the master OF,
both 10 use them well. - .,ffsl. 80,
SO you perceive, gentlemen that there is
very striking aud exact parallel between negro
slavery and negro ant slavery-that the one is as
much entitled to your sympathy and humane ef-
any difference, we think it should be i'll favor OF
ant slavery, for while there are only few mil
lions of negro slaves, there are countless myrlads
Of ant slaves National american.
Taken In
An ingenious downeaster. who had invented
LII & e.I nuo 1 ottar nk =, which he had