Sugar planter. [volume] (West Baton Rouge [i.e. Port Allen, West Baton Rouge Parish, La.]) 1856-1925, 1859-01-29
The African Apprentice Scheme.

ton 1T was nastl!y hurried through the House
of Representatives.. It was defeated IN the
Senate after a hard and animated discussion.
The people Of the State have stamped the
scheme as iniquitous, and we had hoped it had
died and was forgotten, but upon looking
over the proceedings Of the House, we find
that Mr.. RoniSsov has given notice OF his
intention, if he has not already introduced a
bill to authorize the importation OF African
apprentices into this State.
OF course we know nothing of the rrovi-
sious of Mr.. RoulNsoN;s bill. Its title is suf-
hcient to indicate its character-which is and
can be nothing more nor less than a revival
of JAMES H. BrlGHAM's patriotic and disin-
terested project for enriching himself by a
violation Of the laws Of Congress and our
treaty stipulatlons.
We confess that we are surprised that any
one should SO far disregard the unmistakeable
and emphatically expressed opinions Of the
people, as again to drag this question into the
Legislature, and we deeply regret that the
move should be made by a member OF the
American party.
If it is the desire of the people OF the South
that the slave trade should be reopened, let
it be done in a fair and square names, but in
the name Of God, while laws are permitted
to them. Let not our law makers sanction
any violation Of law. We have no objection
to a repeal Of our laws prohibiting the African
slave trade; on the contrary, whenever the
South demands.it. Wi will be among the first
to advocate such repeal; but when, instead
Of making such a demand, an attempt is made
to uioiote existing laws, by the importation of
" African apprentices,' who must inevitably
be sold into slavery, or otherwise who are to
swell our free colored population, we, in COM
mon with a large maj rity of the people Of
Louisiana, declare our unyielding hostility
to it. In this connection we find in the
Crescent of the 18th inst.,a letter from JAMES
H. BR1enAM, the father of the scheme, in
which be says:
I'VE have the most gratifying assurances
from every quarter of the State that the pro-
posed movement has met the warm approval
OF all classes of our citizens. and that final
action in the matter need be no longer de-
Now, we should like to know where those
" gratifying assurances' are to be found. Are
to be found in the columns of the press?
undoubtedly, is the exponent of public
Let us see-speaking of last win
ter's attempt, the press spoke as follows:
ave conceive that it would be dangerous
and unwise in the extreme, in a domestic and
sense, to say nothing Of the public
immortality of the act, to make the African
Apprentice Bill a statute Of the te."-Pa-
Ga-ene and Sentinel, iSouthem
We think the friends of this measure have
mistaken public opinion. Already the press
(,aouoyeAes Parish) V,Aagey, lDem.)
We had not supposed it possible that the
,ill in question would be seriously entertain
ID BY the Legislature OF an intelligent State.
rhe sentiment of the people beyond question
S almost unanimous against the experiment.
nd had it prevailed in the Legislature a storm :,
# indignation would have been raised around
he heads Of those who inflicted injury and
upon us."--alerouds1a Democrat
Of the Red River Democracy /,
"The subject would probably be better
and better appreciated if the
word slaves" were inserted instead OF
apprentices;n still this word is necessary
0 evade the law, If it can be eraded, by
it appear that tEey are Voluntary
aborers."-Bayon Macou (Car,oH PARISH
Times, tDen)
With such lights before us, we must
ppose the bill.''-Plaute,'s Ba4ye1. of St.
%. l.. W.
Infamous bill, for we can call it bv no
1ilder name.h-West Baton Rouge Sugar
2aatter, (Am.)
Public, Opiaion.-The Coast Journal. Alex
ndrla Dcntocyat, and Iberville Gacfte d Sen
mel, all come to us with strong articles
ssallst the iamousAfrlcan apprentice scheme.
he measure will scarcely have friends
nough to bury it when the Legislature
leets. 1t is detunct."-Baton Rouge .Advo-
tic, lDem.) the official State paper.
The people can see at a glance what
Re effect would be on the slave population.
introduce " apprentices y and then ATTEMPT
cheat them out Of their liberty. Base
Contemplate proposition! Too
can Tor an honest and free people to enter
II "-Boton Rouge Ga=ette {Ind.) published
the Capital,
"The importation of free negroes from
trlea W olld be the, ruin partial Or. entire. |
all the shareholders Of Louisiana; it would {
be the ruin Of white laborers,n-Le !
'g'znnt, of DonaldsonvilIe, .Ioem.l
These are some of the reasons, and we =,
1t sufficient Tor the present, which in t
zee our uncompromising opposition to this a
loIs measure, and we hope the people Of ,
e Parish and Of the whole State will t,la