Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-02-19
From the Neso York journal If Commerce.
Free African Enli.ralion.

The scheme of MesSrs. Regis & Co., of Mar
settles. for complete free trade in the trans
portation of African laborers from their
tive land To any other country where they
can be disposed of, like any marketable com
modify to the best advantage, and its partial
execution with the tacit consentof the French
government have led to the superstition in
some quarters that the compact between the
civilized nations of the world for the suppress
sion of the slave trade had fallen through, and
that France was permitted TO discontinue her
active observance OF her part of the agree
ment.
Ii is fact perfectly authenticated that the
free African emigration scheme Is nothing else
than another name for the slave trade be-
cause the Africans who are taken as emigrants,
are not in "A position to refuse or consent to
emigrate, and in many instances purchased
from slavery, and consequently destitute all
power of choice, even surprising that they are
capable. which the greater number are not
of comprehending and concluding bargain.
The originators of this SO called benevolent
scheme for supplying the West Indies with la
Dor, building up the shattered fortunes Of
those islands, and at the same time "civiliZing
the African race do not deny that they trade
in slaves. but assert that II is fer the good
purpose of becoming emancipationlsts when
they reach Guadaloupe and Martinique; that
is, handing over the free African lIbOrer to a
PLANTER LOT II COHSluctdtlou Wtlo W
compel said free laborer to work when, where
and as long as he (the planter pleases, during
IA term of years, after which the free laborer
may either become a settler, or may return TO
Africa TO teach his country the delights of
free labor; and the charms OF advanced civili-
cation. Messrs Regis Il Co. have not made
known by what mt ans they propose To enforce
the emancipation Of the laborers, even after
the ten years of compulsory free service have
expired, nor how this curious hybrid, the nee
slave,r Is to be protected from oppression and
ill-treatment by his employer-or rather his
lessee; nor in what way his remuneration of
two and half dollars a month, (from the az
gregate of which il is proposed TO deduct 200
francs, or sixteen months wages, Tor the cost
of his transportation from Afrlca,) II To Dc Sc
cured to him.
Ingenious French journalists have framed n
variety of arguments in favor of the new
scheme, but the only attempt 10 get over the
moral objections To a revival OF the slave trade,
is To show that though the negroes are pur-
chased irholesdis slaves, they are Tefsnted IN
the West Indies or elsewhere a. free men, IN
the manner already described. Ii seems, how
ever, that the plausible arguments advanced
Nv the Paris Constitutional have failed To
convince other governments, which, from the
information they have received az TO the work
ing of the ..Mars,iiles scheme. have been
induced to remind the Imperial Government
that To sanction TIE plan OF ~ II KS NOuiu IN
reality be 10 sanction q revival OF the slave
trade, ard violate solemn treaties. IL has
been recently stated, in semi-oHicial organ
~ the Esngilsh Government that the matter
has been officially brOugat under the notice of
the emperor, and that he has been politely
but firmly requested 20 continue faithful ito
the spirit a. well As the letter Of those engage
ments which France has undertaken with her
eyes Open has executed conscientiously, and
has heretofore serupalously falhlled;" and IL
is further stated BY the same Journal that the
success u attempts 10 confuse Distinctions
will be vigorously resisted.
We own that, 20 Tar A. the scheme Is public
IN known. We cannot see how it differs essen
. tally from legalized slave trade, If IL be
true, as those best acquainted with the coast
OF Alflca assert, that Il is impossible Go obtain
1000 free negroes To emigraie, on any terms
whatever: aud that negroes cannot be obtain
al IN great numsers. except By bargain and
purchase from the native kings Nor can We
see how the nominal free man, compelled 20
labor for a terra OF ten years, viii be one ~hit
better OF than a slave, or even. rs well on
The latter il well fed. well housed. vel
clothed, and, from motives Of selfloterest, II
not Of humanity, il not likely TO be over
worked or abused by his master. But the
lessee Of the free iaboTer, Who has no pertna-
nent interest IN biIa. sonla have Little induce-
mens 10 provide for bis comfort during his
ssrvitude, and bone 10 seek bis welfare after
its termination.