The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-10-20
One Of the Great Problems
OF the Age.
It's Bearings Commercially, finar. cially
and Philanthropically Considered
me Peace, Union, PAosfsss AM Happiness Of
Millions hsolyed in its Solution.
African Labor and its Relations to
Modern Civilization,

The most valuable discovery made in the uo-
.ics of the New World was in the fertility Of its SOIL
within the tropics--capable of yielding by cutiva-
ton untold wealth to the whites Of the temperate
attitudes, but in climate where no European could
toll and live. While Spain soon exhausted its me-
taic resources and spent the proceeds in devastat
ing wars the soil remained uncultvated, from
which vast wealth was to be drawn. There only
existed one species Of labor which could be em
ployed in the Development of these vast tropical
rerions-to the frutfulness of which no section OF
the Old World afforded any parallel-and this was
the servitade of Africans
ORIGIN OF SLAVERY.
Slavery was the beginning Of civilization in q
savage state, where the only means OF sustenence
were derived from the chase. Prisoners taken in
war could not be supported; their captors pos
sessed no means for feeding or maintaining them.
Hence their constant custom was to put tEcm TO
death. This would prevail until their labor could
be made available in agricultural or pastoral pur-
srits. Hence, when savage chiefs found they could
sell their prisoners those able and willing to feed
Shem for their services the spirit Of civilization
stepped in and rescued them from death. Hence
the commencement Of slavery founded in hu-
Danity and aided the progress Of civilization. The
labor Of the prisoners thus purchased, efter pro-
dacing necessaries to supply the wants of them.
selves and owners, would have surplus left, which
would lead TO exchanges, and thus lay the founda-
ton Of commercial intercourse; and its necessities
would again call in the aid of the mechanical arts
and manufactures.
ENGLAND BEFORE AND AFTER THE INTRODUCTION OF
AFRICAN LABOR INTO THE TROPICS OF THE NEW
WORLD.
African labor in the New World has formed one
of the most remarkable epochs in the history Of
nan. In no period Of his previous existence were
Africans subjugated TO tropical labor-n no part Of
The Eastern World did such vast and rich field
exist for its employment.
From the date Of the commencement Of the
African slave trade may be dated the beginning Of
new era in modern wealth and civilization.
Enjand engaged in the African slave trade in
the sixteenth century in the time of Henry VIII,
which was vigorously prosecuted in the reign OF
Queen Elizabeth. It was under her sway that re-
gular companies were formed, and a large number
sf vessels we're sent out to the coas; of Africa to
purchase prisoners from the natives and convey
them 10 the British West India Islands, AM TO her
colonies Of North America. The members Of the
royal family, with many Of the nobility Of Eng.
land, vested their money in these expeditions
And many of her present nobility are indebted for
tors derived from the prosecution Of the slave
trade.
When Sir John Hawkins first visited an African
tribe known as the sambos, he found them canni.
balls; and the first purchase he made was from a
chief who had retained certain number Of
prisoners rs provision against future want.
1t is a little curious that one expedition fitted
snt for the slave trade under the patronage Of
Queen Eizabeth's government was called Jesus
and another was called Solomon
The British not only supplied their own colonies
with African laborers, which vastly augmented
sheir value and produchveness. contributing wealth
70 tie British nation, but they contracted TO de-
liver, under royal charter, large Number ANIMAL
ly 70 the Spanish colonies.
To understand the immense advantages gained
and the benefit conferred on ciyiliz alton by African
labor in the tropics Of the New World, II Is only
necessary 70 reflect upon what the coalition Of Eu-
rope, and especially Of England, WAS prior to the
employment Of African labor or before the reign OF
Queen Elizabeth, and subsequent 20 that period.
While much has been attributed 10 the Reforma-
ton, 10 printing aud to the gold mincs OF South
America, the vast material elements 81 modern
civilization resulting from African labor have been
overlooked.
England when Elizabeth came 10 tie throne,
was in a measure without a commerce and without
q navy. The grand Armada. which threatened her
destruction, would be regarded now Of little more
importance than feet OF fishing smacks. The
city Of London was composed Of muddy and crook
ed lanes and narrow alleys for streets. over which
the gables OF wooden houses nearly tcrched
each other. Her streets had no lights, and when
people went out at night they had TO be car
ried in handbauows ON the shoulders OF men, OF
were supported in their hands while others
marched in front with hambesus TO light their
way. The crockery ware Of the royal table was
little better than that produced by the Dutch pot
teries in New Jersey. Her publi' roads were al
most impossible. while her forests and highways
were infested by robbers. Her inns were misera-
BILE roadside novels. II required about two or
three weeks 10 make journey from London 10
Ednburg, or 10 the west coast OF England. The
cite OF Manchester was a bleak common, while
Liverpool was little better than fishing station.
Prior 10 the reign Of Henry VII, the grandfather
Of Elizabeth, the people OF England had, in
their civil wars between the White and Red
Rose factions, caused forty thousand OF their
number TO fall IN battle. The masses
we're throughout the realm poor. abject
and miserable beings, dragged TO slaughter by
rival and contending cutthrops, seeking to govern
By maud and violence. No man can travel through
England without meeting with the evidences OF
the ancient poverty Of its masses. Few memorials
remain any where Of their existence as q mass. or
ss occupiers OF the soil. English wealth progress,
commerce, agriculture, arts. sciences, with her
naval power, all pretty much date from the com.
neneensns Of the employment Of African labor in
the New World, and the same may 10 said OF the
Unisd States u America. France and the Con-
unen' generally, prior TO the reign OF Elizabeth,
were, 4 possible, poorer and worse or than Eng.
lard.
eREAr BRITAIN Ar rnr PRESENT pAY.