Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1856-05-21
NORTHERN TESTIMONY.

The author of Boston pamphlet, thus dscourses
upon the status of the "poo African in the socalIed
Free States: (Read carefully)
In the Northern section of the United States this
question amalgamaton has, for more than half cen,
tury been subjected to practical test and that, too
under circumstances sufficiently various and direct 10
fix the resultbeyond all shadow Of contingency. In
order to show what that result is, il is only necessary
to look at the actual condition OF the coored man as
lie is at present found existing in the non.slavehodng
states. In these he is feethat is, free to dispose o
himsef-and in many of them, by law, coequal with
the dominant class. This is his position legally But
as matter of fact does he, in the free states find him
SELF outside the statutes, recognized as an equal III
any sense satisfactory 10 a sensitive mind! No one
will pretend that such is the fact. Legislative enact
ments or prescription declare him one thing by inclu.
ding him co.equal in the general description OF
citizenship; but public opinion and social Inhibition,
both of which law unto themselves, declare him
entirely another; under these circumstances, then,
what actually is the position Of the African in the
non on-slavehoding states! Social equality he surely
does not enjoy OF this he may not SO much as dream
He is free, says the abolitonist. True, but how
Should he set up claim to participation in your
social enjoyment and privileges, you would reject 1t.
Boastng friend of the negro, as you profess 10 be, you
do not allow him seat at your festive or family board
you do not admit him equal guest upon the floor
Of yonr drawing room you would not forone moment
willingly allow him seat beside your daughter, TO
her lips Nay, ,morc, you would even reprove your
son were he seen in The streets arm and arm with
black man.
These are q few of the social disabilities under
which, in the. non slaveholding states, the African
labors and they have their seat rather in the unwrlt-
ten law of typical instincts, than in any mere ar
bitrary CUSTOM There are others resting on custom
exclusively partially, are the creation OF positive
legislative enactments. In states the negro is
denied the right of suffrage altogether; in others he
can claim this right under some special qualifications
such as tile possession of certain amount Of properly
either personal or real. In very many OF the free
states he cannot enter into the marriage contract with
white persons nor is he anywhere required to DO
military duty, or allowed to serve as Juryman.
More, custom never justified but almost universally
sanctioned, either entirely excludes him from our
houses Of worship, or assigns him place In some
remote corner conspicuous only for its soalIon OF
for its ohscurity of approach. may also here say
that, with few exceptions throughout The north, his
condition is emphaticalIy servile, large proportion
being but the servants of servants.
Mark the tone of cnndor, Of honesty with which this
statement is made 1t is evidently too the testimony
Of one who knows.
Remarkably vilIany! that can desire 10 convert the
happy negroes of our Sunny South into such degraded
outcasis Of freedom