The emigrant aid journal of Minnesota. [volume] (Nininger City, Minn. Terr. [i.e. Minn.]) 1856-1858, 1858-01-27
Nininser EyCeutal.

Munger lyCeOtl.
Last Monday evening being unpleasant for pedes-
trians, on account of the rain and mud, but a compare
lively small number were in attendance. However,
the usual exercises were enjoyed with much interest by
those present.
The person who was to give the essay for the evening
was not prepared, and in his stead MIR Beswick recited
a piece from Shakespeare.
The question of debate was then announced, viz -
Has the Negro suffered more injustice from the white
man than the Indian 2" Mr.. Terhune led off on the
affirmative, and referring to the Indian, thought that as
y race they had received continual benefits from the
whites, directly and indirectly. ever since they had come
in contact. He had been instructed how to supply his
physical wants, and the means for that purpose furnished
to him he had the privilege Of receiving intellectual,
moral and religious training. But he was a terocious
savage when first encountered, has continued such, and
is the same uncomfortable creature to-day as in the be-
ginning, in spite Of the efforts continually put forth to
humauize him. The wars that have taken place be
tween him and the whites, were invariably begun nv him,
as he delighted in cruelty ani tlaodshed when the
ooneiliatory spirit aud kindness and .oibearance of the
white people aud their government, averted such wars
Tor ! moment, be turned with his usua! tcsocigy 10 wage
exterminsting Val upon the tribes Of MS own race. AS
W tN AHNSH SNAAS NAA'>H AN'o ~ hStpS ~ NN ''ANNo
IT was not So, he could settle wherever ne chose hy
coming uuder the laws Of civilization. l!c had ample
scope to live as his nature dictated-there had always
been room for that in the Immense tracks Of the West
where he had always roamed, and where alone he could
procure food enough. Life, liberty, and ali the benefits
Of civilized society were undeuiably his ; and even the
privilege Of continuing an extertrinatiug savage was not
;utertered with so long as he inflicted his cruelties upon
his own kindred. But, en- the other hand, We have
wronged the negro he has been dragged from his home
and kindred, indured the horrors of the voyage in the
Slave snip lad when brought here has been robbed of
III. liberty. aud IL and descendants consigned forever to
4 degrading seryitude. He has net even the privilege
Of making any use Of his intellectual powers. His un.
happy condition is truly to be oommissersted Ger the
great injustice inflicted upon him. He could not ina
CINE how any enc could undertake to prove the Indian
TO have been equally wrcuged.
In the absence of Mr.. i~iillhousc, who had been APP
pointed to lead on the negative. Mr.. L. Govest was APP
pointed to reply. He had 40. expected the duty as
signed him, and was consequently unprepared, bnt as
he believed the position he Was to maintain was right,
he should Try and defend it. The negro had enjoyed
the society Of 4 superior race and had been benefited
by it his state of bondage was not an unhappy one to
him all the desires he had he could enjoy in that state,
whereas in his native home he was subjected to the cruel
caprice of the native rulers. When untitled for slavery
instead of being cared for and protected, as in this coun-
try, there they would be wantonly destroyed. His so
ciai, moral, aud religious nature had been undoubtedly
improved. Ii the bonds Of servitude, SO much relied
upon by his opponent to prove the injustice done the
negro, were removed, it would be a calamity to him he
would be unable to control or care for himself, and like
the few at the North, who are permitted to have all the
privileges OF the superior race-he would become still
more degraded-the victim of his own weak nature,
and an inmate of poor houses and prisons. The free
negro, with all his privileges, yields himself to a spirit
Of servitude more contemplate and degrading than
Southern slavery even the protested friends OF the
negro were beginning to admit this. While, therefore,
the negro enjoyed SO much more, even as a slave, than
in Africa, and all the capacity Of his nature was fully
met, no Injustice to him could be granted. But the
home of the Indian had been invaded he had torcibly
been deprived Of his soil and by crueties and wrongs,
had been corrupted, broken in spirit, and almost exter-
minated. 1t was not justice to offer him a home on
his own soil, only on condition Of allowing the powerful
invader to control him in their way 1t was his right
to dictate. Their wrongs were universally admitted.
and he believed were far beyond what the negro could
be shown to have endured.
MIR. Reed, on the affirmative, gave some lively Illus
trations to show the consequences OF slavery, and be-
lieved that state OF servitude included every wrong that
could be inflicted on man, and thus the greatest injus-
tie had been done the negro.
Mr. Beswick, on the negative, gave details of the in
iuries inflicted on the Indians by the whites. From the
SuVdSIUu VI Tie CBdDEdi0S uuOCI j LoItO WIZ II LA.
dams were euslaved, tortured, and murdered under cir.
cumstances ofhcrrible depravity, by which a population
Of twelve millions Of poor inotfensive beings were swept
into Their graves and the islands of the West Indies
depopulated the destruction OF nations whose in.
dustrious pursuits and peaceful habits had reared up all
the splendors Of the oriental courts-down to this day,
when they are hunted with bloodhounds in Florida, or
shot down in families of men women and infants at the
West, whenever political or pecuniary gain is to be
made by it-wrong and n injustice has been meted out to
the red man. In Central America the numerous and
splendid ruins tell of the great nations that were so
terribly scourged by the white man,-the very curse of
the nations SO inhumanly sacrificed, is falling heavily on
the descendants Of heir ruthless destroyers, all over
the southern part of this continent including the West
India islands.
After being discussed by various other parties, it was
given to the jury Of three gentlemen appointed by the
chair. They gave the verdict in favor Of the arguments
Of the affirmative, under protest of one of their number.
The question selected for next debate was "Whether
Columbus deserved greater praise for discovering Amer
lea than Washington FOR defending it?" Affirmative
leader, MIR. Carrie, with six assistants. Negative leader,
Mr.. Palmer, also with six assistants.
Mr.. l.. n. Countryman will give the essay gu next
Monday evening.
Ga Friday evening a business meeting will be held
at the Hall. All persons who feel any interest in the
Society are invited to be present.
ESTkRPRIsE-Of some thirty steam mills i'll this
County only ono, We believe, is now in operation, aud
that one Is owned and operated by Mr.. Anthony and
William Reed Gather and son,) in Nininger. The
Sash, Door, and Blind Factory, and Planning Machine,
carried on BY these gentlemen, have been in constant
operation ali the past fail and winter. With such I'M.
usual cold weather as prevailed last year, steam works
could nt be probably carried on with the mild weather
thus far enjoyed this year, these works have been as
easy to mauagc, almost, as during summer, and they
have been turning cot their work as fast as usual, and
are likely 10 continue on 80 throug h the season.
HANDSOME rnEsESr-A library Of ~ninc,y-six vol
smes q Few books has betn presented to chr town, for
Sahfath Scho>l rurI oseo, by g. ;. N. IN and :. II.
Wales, Tsq IF tie firm If Num- i Co, Scientific
American Establishment, New York City. The books
are now iii our possession, and will be employed as in.
Ici.dai ~ Lic nnstLv donors 10 il.;l1 IN IND 4xiru IL