Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1858-01-21

the races are sprung from one pal
Iand haG their distinctive characters
tics immutably impressed upon then
at some subsequent period by
Especial miracle, or whether they ar
descended from several distinct orig
| inal stocks, is unimportant to th'
present discussion. We have TO dea
with the existence, and not the orig
in, Of the peculiarities OF the differ
ent races.
In looking back from the earliest
historical ages down to the press nj
time, the curious spectacle is presen
ted of the negro or ethiopian race.
in their native countries sunk in the
lowest depths Of savage degradation
or held in foreign lands by strange
people in state of slavery. Century
after century has rolled away without
effecting any change in the condi-
lion of this people. Their lot has
ever been ignorance, superstition,
barbarism and slavery. They have
been held in bondage by almost eve-
ry type of their fellow-men from The
lowest up TO that race which claims
the first rank in religion, love OF
Justice, and all the attributes by
which man is elevated and ennobled.
1t is matter Of the highest interest
and Importance to determine wheth-
er this state Of things is the result OF
chance and a combination of cir
cunstances, or is in accordance with
the laws of nature-whether the
negto has been forced into slavery
and is held there by the strong arm
of oppression, or is driven to that
condition by some innate defect Q:
character or inherent brutality, which
renders him incapable Of occupying
any other position.
The subject proposed renders it
necessary to look a. this people iu
their native countries, as they exist
on their own hills and valleys, far
away from the il auence Of other ra-
ces; to examine their progress in the
arts and sciences, to sit in Judgment
on the use to which they have put
the talents committed by the Crea.
tor to their stewardship, to weigh
the opportunities and advantages that
surround them and arrive at the
product in the amount of morality,
good order and happiness which they
enjoy. The same tests must be ap-
piled to them in that state called
slavery, and the Survey will be COM
plete by glance at the condition of
this race of men when manumitted
or set free by legislative enactments.
1t would be manifestly impossible
in the short space of a single lee
ture, to treat in detail snbject OF
this magnitude, and consequently it
will only be attempted at the present
time to embody some general
thoughts and suggestions for your
consideration:
The first inquiry that presents
itself is whether the negro race is
equal to the Caucasian? This ques-
ton seems at first to answer itself
The most casual observer will say at
once, that the latter is far superior
in intelligence of mind, beauty o.
person, strength, endurance and
courage, both moral and physical
But another question is immediate
ly suggested, whether this differ.
ence is the result Of education and
circumstances, or Of the different
characters stamped by the Creator
on the two races.
It was a dogma Of the French
socialists that all men are createe
equal and these words having
found their way into our cherished
Declaration of Independence, it hal
become the fashion to quote then
until they have almost passed into
proverb. The expression is th'
outburst of an indignant peopl'
smar.ing under wrongs; but a mo
ment' s reflection exposes its fallacy
and proves that no government o.
society, or single human being ha'
ever believed in its truth or actet
on its principle.
It may be doubted whether an,
1.-Two things in nature, are 10 all res
poets a like and equal, whether an,
two spires of grass or grains Of SAM
are exactly the same in color, weight
length and breadth. Nature pa
stamped some distinctive feature up
on each and every one Of her crea
ltions, assigned each its appropriate