The Feliciana Democrat., 1858-03-20
THE AFRICAN IMPORTATION SCHEME

THE AFRlCAN lMPORTAllON SCiEME.
The bill authorizing The importation into Louisiana
of $500 Africans after passing the House with little
or no opposition has been rejected in the Senate at
the close of most violent and exciting debate by
majority of two. The measure Is therefore, for the
present essentially dcunct. Nevertheless 1t may
be renewed next year. and as it inauguratcs policy
towards which several Of the most Southern States
seem disposed to commit themselves, we think II but
just to give a summary of the reasons assigned hy
those who uphold the project We do this the more
willingly as our readers, while hearing much against
the scheme, have not enjoyed any opportunity of con-
sidcring the arguments employed in its behalf. We,
therefore, annex summary of the report of the
Scuac committee TO which the bill referred, and
who reported unanimously in its favor.
The report of the committee declares that they are
fully satisfied that the bill is not in violation of the
State Or Federal Constitution, of treaty stpula
tons or of any law of the State. With respect TO
the moral principle involved in 1t, they argue that
the condition of the negro would be greatly i'm
proved by his transfer from the barba,ism and bru-
ality Of African life to the civilization OF America.
An emigration to the soil of Louisiana, says the re.
port or of any of our Southern States, would not
only be relief, but positive blessing II would be
to them the passing out of night to day II would
literally be transition from the most ahcct SER
vitudc, intellectual darkness. and moral degradation.
to a condition of assured protection and comparative
freedom to condition of labor, 1t is true. but one
on which is ever shed the benign rays Of the Chris
tian religion
| The report contends further, that the proposed
measure is recommended by sound policy. Negro
labor is peculiarly adapted to the cultivation Of our
great staples This species of labor is regularly ad
vancing in price that II il to be feared that in a
few years the purchase of a valuable slave will be
unattanablc except by the wealthy, unless supply
from abroad should he procured. The consequence
would be that small plantations could not be cult
yatel, and would be absorbed into immense estates
monopolized by a few who would possess the means
Of commanding the labor required for their culture.
Moreover, without a large increase Of negro labor,
millions Of acres of fertile soil must remain untouched
by the plow, and the rich agricultural resources of
our State will be but impcricctly developed. The
demand for an increased amount Of labor is not con
fined to Louisiana. II is in many places so pressing
aud imperative AS to set aside the ordinary
onalities of nations The report refers to the cx-
tended system of African importation recently in
auguratcd by France for the West Indian colonies to
the strong leaning of British ideas in the same dircc
ton, and to the disposition manifested by some Of
our sister Southern States to embark in the same
policy.
The report combats the assertion that class Of
indcnturcd blacks would be dangerous element to
introduce into the midst of our slave population Is
The docile, tractable, and suservient natures and
habits of native Africans, when transferred to our
soil, are notorious. They are the least disposed, Of
every description of our colorcd population, TO dis
content turbulence, or insurrecton. As to the dis.
position to be made of them when their term of SER
vice expires the report holds the following ang,~ ge:
We need say no more than that they may linden.
ture themselves for further timc if it should be for
no longer period than would be necessary to real
zc sufficient amount Of means to enable them to
return to their native country, or to Liberia, for the
appreciation and enjoyment of the republican and
Christian institutions of which government they will
in some measure, have been fitted by a temporary
apprenticeship on American soil
Finally, the report alludes to the admirable adap-
taton Of African labor to the construction of our
railroads, and other works of internal improvement.