Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1857-03-14
CHE Antt- 9Iaprrp Buole.
From The N Y. Evangelist.
A MISsIONARY'S OPINION OF THE AF
RICAN SLAVE-TRADE.

beep n missionary on the Western Coast for thir.
teen years. lie is stationed on the Gaboon River
right on the line of the equator and in the heart
of the slave region. Their first mission-house was
on the site ofan old Por tuguese slave factory here
thc'trade had been carried on for more than two
centuries. On an island at the mouth OF the riv-
or are heavy guns. brought there by the Portuguese
two hundred and Fifty years ago.
Thus ample time has been given for the great ex-
pertinent of civilization. BY this time the Slave
Coast ought to be the seat of high state of civil
isation. But the missionaries seem to think that
this intercourse with other nations has OILY caused
adeeper night to descend on that dark continent.
Mr. Bushnell even goes far to say that the
slave trade is the great curse of Africa; that it
renders the widest savages still more fierce and
cruel, and that it battles all attempts at civiiza-
tipn.
OF course all other commerce is killed by this
traffic. The country is rich in natural products,
and might furnish large export. But all is kept
down by this trade. SO soon as British
squadron lowering on the coast, puts the slavers
10 fear, and causes their trade to languish, other
branches of industry revive. The chiefs finding
less demand for human flesh bring down other CO.
modities-ivory. palm oil, gold dust, dye woods,
and ebony. Thus the instant the siave-trade Is
checked, there springs up legt mate commerce.
But while that is in full blast, it kills everything
else, for it is exciting and more lucrative.-.
The trade in slaves is moro profitable than trade
in ivory, for it is easier to steal child than kill
elephant
But the commercial loss is nothing to the moral
dessola,on which it leaves behind it. The slave
trade is the cause of almost all the wars between
different tribes. 1t keeps them constantly fight
ing to procure fresh victims. 1t excites them 20
attack defenceless villages, and to sieze men, women
and children. Thus it stimulates to burninys, to
murder and to massacre.
Mr.. Bushnell has taken away our chief consola-
ton in this trade, which that these poor
wretces were only taken from being slaves in their
own country to be slaves in ours-whch seemed a
great improvement. But ne informs us that but
for this foreign trade they might not be slaves at
ell In fact, he doubted whether Slavery existed
on this Western Coast until two three centuries
ago when the Portuguese tempted the chiefs to sell
the bodies of men. 1t was Christian traders who
first taught the poor natives these arts of cruelty
At any rate, if Slavery existed at all before, the
whole system has been extended and fortified, and
increased in horrors, by the demand for slaves TO
export. If left to ITSELF it would soon dwlndie
and die; for there ii no internal cause to sustain it,
Labor is not of value enough. a slave is good Tor
nothing to keep but only to sell. 1t is tho cupid
" sy of West India traders which spurs on the ma
Fsives to burning aud butchery, and winch brings
upon this desolatc coast all the woes of hell.
A natural effect of such trade in flesh and blood
is to produce frightful disregard of human life
uthas reduced the vulue of man to the triiie that
no will bring from the trader Many man has
been bought for a cask of rum. Lately the price
has risen, so that an able bodied man will fetch
sun.
. 'Of course i. tends to destroy natural Affection
The natives are simple hearted, and strongly A.
taohed to their kindred. But when every bad pas
sson is excited, imbruted by war and maddeneo by
n-um, the father Sl sometimes sell his own child
Il haye even KNOWN" says MIR. Bushnell, "a nu-
band to sell his wife !"
It's often said that these poor Africans do not
suffer much, for that they are incapable OF feeling
They nre little above the beasts and like animals
all N, arp in6i fprrut q them. 'lllylur food
and raiment they there with content" But
our informant tells US that on the contrary, they
ARE q very sensitive race. Naiiyes of that torric
cline, they are true children Of the sun. Living
in the open air, they drink in bright influences
from sunshi ne and from sky Their feelings are
quick. The slightest.hng exalts them to heaV
en- of rapture or pluAges them into an abyss o
grief When left to themselves, they are n care
less heodless, happy race; full Of mirh and dance
and song. In many sylvan glade under the
wide spreading palms, may be witnessed scenes
which would deligh. the imagination OF p2stora
poet. ~
They have a passionate love Of music The
gondoliers Of Venice, floating on their grand cam
were not more spontaneous ana gushing IN then
melody than these Africans, floating on their IN
land waters As the boats glide along the agoon
and rivers, the oarsmen keep time with a rising
and falling strain. If any incident occurs IN th'
sail they instantly improysc q rude poetry, anC
accompany it with wild melody. Thus every
scene of gadness of grief at the wedding o
the funeral--their hearts find vent in song.
And do these simple children of nature feel no
thing when away frcm their homes and country
when first landed on the coast. "says Mr.. Bush
nell, '.the slave trade was fourishing, and ther
were many factories near often visited tn
baracoons, and such utter woe and despair neve
saw on any human faces" Their lghness an
gaiety all gone, their songs were hushed, an
they sat silent and gloomy. 1t was not a grie
4 f. hn
which nerved them TO fierce resistance, but wal
and weary look, despair which speeches
and hopeless, of these doomed to die. Iher
they sat upon the shore chained together, nov
turning last fond look to the hills and pair
groves in the distance, and now looking to tn
slaye-ship which began to show its dark hull 0
the horison Thus they watched and wept thei
stiHed sobs answering to the desolate moaning
the sea.
Such is the save.trade, Of which men in tn
Christian land speak in gentle phrase and whlc
some propose to revive. Many might be toun
who would not only defend it, but delight in
who would find in this buying of men, not on
the most lucrative C, mmerce, but the most exctir
sport. When Capt. Smith con6ded to us his exp
rience in slave ship his eyes shot fire as be d
picted the scenes on the African coast An
said the hero, ''thats the place for fun =
TuE TREsrAss Acr.--The people who live in Il
rurai uiericts shoulu ieel ereally oplSeu ~ VI
Legislature for the passage of the Trespass Az
This act makes the trespass on grounds, by CT
ting hoop-poles, destroying trees, taking tru
robbing watermelon vines, in word committil
trespass on other peoples property, criminal
tense. 1t is to be punished according TO the a
gravation Of the offense, from double the value a
cost up to thirty bays In Jail on bread and wat,
This law is much needed, and should be rigid
- enforced.
Speaking on this subject, we may say that Il
sort of respassng and its kindred vice, hue
: sterng among farmers are among, the causes
which the prices in city markets are greatly {
h,ncod Much valuable fruit and vegetables