New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1858-03-24
The African Apprentice RIll.

This BILL which has already formed a theme for
much discussion, and which will uaquestionaby lead
| TO much more, before the assembling of the next
Legislature, is by no without advocates in the
country, will be perceived by the following article
| from the Houma Ceres--the newspaper organ of the
great and wealthy agricultural parish of Terrebonne
The article quoted below appeared in the Ceres of
the 10th inst; and TO- as we learn from reliable
sources fair and just exposition Of the feelings of
vast majority of the people Of that parish on the
subject In controversy. The mere mention of such
fact this should entitle it to grave consideration
for the voice Of parish should not be lightly treated
or misrepresented.
And we may say, Furthermore that we feel author
lied to express the decided opinion that the question
will be thoroughly and ably canvassed in presence of
the people before the Legislature again convenes by
very able and respectable gentlemen belonging to
both political parties of the day In fact we feel
entirely confident that such will prove the case and
II our predictions are verified as we have no doubt
they will be, deem it exceedingly probable that
the supporters of the bill in the Legislature lust
adjourned where it was viewed as mere harmless
experiment, which could do no injury and might be
productive OF vast advantageous results-wil receive
the applause instead of the condemnation of the
masses. Then, those who have ''gone OF halfcockeda
aud causelessly denounced the action and wantonlv
impngned the motives Of gentlemen fully as honest
conscientious and intelligent as themselves. NAV find
themselves in the lurch instead of the objects of their
animadverson.
However, as the question will fully develop itself
time progresses in regard to which we shall keen
our readers duly advised, we will say no more on the
subject at this moment, and will conclude by ap-
pending the article from the Houma Ceres, above
spoken of
The bill for Interpretation Of twenty-five hundred
indentured Africans, after having been adopted by
the Lower House Of the State Legislature passed
successfully through second reading in the Senate
with every prospect of final adoption, was lost in
that body through the treachery at the decisive mo-
ment Of one of its original and most ardent sup
porters, acting, as is intimated in obedience to i'm.
peraiYe orders from the CaRaarina at Washington,
| Having on previous occasions earnestly advocated
| through these columns the policy of the pro-
posed scheme OF Atrican immigration as an inita-
tory step towards the systematic and undsgused re-
viyal OF the African slave trade, it was with profound
regret and disappointment that we received the intel.
lgenee OF the defeat of that measure in the State
senate. We had hoped for Louisiana the honor of
leaaing the way IN the march of progress towards
policy which the Necessities of Southern interest and
The genuine phanthropic spirit of the age must
eventually and with the power OF destiny force upon
US we had hoped that our Legislators shaking of the
trammels OF Federal influence would have united in
inaugurating new era OF craftsmanship which
would tend to increase the wealth and power of the
south, and reestahlsh that equilibrium between the
sections which Federal legislation can never achieve
which nothing but State enterprise and individual
energy can bring about The policy has been ten.
porariy defeated but it triumph in the end for
II Is the will OF the majority. The people will not
shrink from entering boldly upon the path OF pro-
gress, no matter with what imaginary danger timer
Gus spirits may deem it beset. Our disappoint.
nent is tempered by the satisfaction OF being able
% record the fact that both Of the members from
| ferrebonne-the Hon. +. S. G0ode In the Senate
aud the Hon. ]. B. Robinson in the House-were
hrm and untlinohing in their support of the bill Oar
people may Indulge legitimate pride In their repre-
sentatlon at Baton Rouge, by men who would do
honor TO any legislative body.
10 return to the subject of these remarks IL strikes
us mat whatever views may be entertained as TO the
expectancy OF revving the slave trade in the legal
ana modified form in which II was presented to the
Legislature even those who oppose it or may deem il
OF questionable policy should have been at least will
ing 70 see the experiment tried on a small scale The
importation OF twenty-five hundred blacks into the
State would be IN ~ consequences but very small
matter, and would produce Of those terrible
evils which It's opponents prediet-while on the other
hand had the proposed bill become law, Experience
that touoh-stone OF wisdom would have pro-
nounced upon It's merits, and we should have known
ny Us operation and practical effects, its good or its
fnischievous tendencies We trust that those mem.
bers OF the Legislature who firmly and earnestly
stood up 70 the measure will not abandon the contest
because they have been defeated and by one
vote but will give it another and successful trial at
the next session.