Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1856-07-19
ENGLISH PREJUDICE AGAINST COLOR
IN INDIA.

"There is one feature of English society in India
however, which l cannot notice without feeling
disgusted and indignant | allude to the con-
temptuous manner in which the natives, even those
of the best and most intelligent classes are almost
invariably spoken Of and treated. Social equali-
ty, except in instances, is utterly of
the question. The tone adopted to wards the low.
classes is of lordiy arcogance; towards the
rich and enlightened, one of condescensiOn and
patronage. | have heard the term 'niggers' appli.
cd to the whole race by those high in office with
the lower orders Of the English it is the designa-
tion in general use, and this too towards those of
our own Caucasian blood, where there is no in
stinct of race to excuse their unjust prejudice
Why is it that the virtue of Exeter Hall and Stat
ford House tolerate this fact without blush,
yet condemn, with pharisac zeal, the social ne-
quality of the Negro and the white races in Amer
ica"-Bayard 7aylor'S VisH 10 India, China and
Japan.
No wonder that this distinguished American
traveller is disgusted and indignant with the cruel
ty and insoleuce of the prejudice against color
with which the Europeans in British India are in
fected; but little reflection wou't have convicted
him that "the virtue of Exeter Hall and Stafford
House" need not be accused of pharisaic ZEAL be-
cause they have hitherto sent forth no such con-
'demnation against it as they have meted out to-
wards that which prevails in the United States
In England little is known of the social condition
of British India, except by some of the military
and the upper classes. The ties of blood, Ian
guage and religion which unite us to America do
not exist between us and the people of British In
da. India is far off, we have few relations there;
the people do not write to do not read their
newspapers, and We therefore know and care very
little about them. But when the English people
learn as much about the social condition of India
they know of the United States. their voice will
1be heard and their influence exted for the amelio-
ration and elevation of her people. 1t is not
than twenty years since Mr.. Abdy's TrdUeis IN the
United States informed us Of the extraordinary
length to which the Americans carry their hatred
of the colored race And at the present time there
ai,c hundreds of thousands of our population who
have never heard of its existence, although they
limbibe it rapidly enough when they cross the at
'lan.ic The truth is that in people in low state
of moral ciyilizaton-and OF these there are plen-
ty amongst all ranks and classes-therc is great
,proneness to indulge in class prejudices, and to
look down from some imaginary height of their
own upon those they consider beneath them. All
arstocracies Gf birth, intellect, fortune race and
creed are fattern TO the possessor, and are priced
hs valuable privileges. In our country the grada-
tons of social position are innumerable, and are
graduated to an nconcei Fable refinement But
the more striking the outward marks OF distinction
the more insulting will be the assumption OF su-
perioriy Thus it is in the United States. British
India and every country so circumstGnced. Yet
we are amused co observe how the American lurk'
ed in the tone of Mr.. Taylor's merted rebuke.-
lie is especially shocked with the British prejudice
because it is exhibited towards "our own Caucas-
ian blood" ana because there is no "instinct of
race to excuse their injustice" We think Cau-
casian blood has nothing to do with the matter.
and we do not believe in the instinct of race Tho
truth is the American prejudice against color is
so intense, and the antagonism produced by the
institution Of slavery so vehement that the white
race have succeeded in persuadng themselves that
their dislike to the blacks is fault Of their own.
but is naturally implanted in them for some provi-
Hentiai end. precisely like the antipathies between
some of the lower animals london Antt' Sfarery
Adrocatc.