Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-01-06

Noulu uaf6 UcSu Et1Focsfotcs III ilal
event any one State could have efFectu-
ally continued the trade not only for it.
self but for all the sother slave States,
though never so much against their will.
And why? Because African slaves,
when once brought within the limits OF
any one State, in accordance with its
laws, cannot practically be excluded
from any other State where slavery ex-
ISIS. And even if all the States had
separately passed laws prohibiting the
importation of slaves, these laws would
have failed of effect for want Of naval
force TO capture the slavers and TO guard
the coasts. Such force no State can
employ in time Of peace without the
consent of Congress.
These acts of Congress, it is believed,
have, with very rare and insignificant
exceptions, accomplished their purpose.
For period of more than half CEN
tury there has been no perceptible addi-
ton to the number of our domestic slaves.
During this period their advancement in
civilization has far surpassed that Of any
other portion of the African race. The
light and the blessings of Christianity
have been extended to them, and both
their moral and physical condition has
been greatly improved.
Reopen the trade, and it would be
difficult to determine whether the effect
would be more deleteriouS to the inter
cts of the matter, or on those of the ma
tive born slave. Of the evils to the
master, the one most to be dreaded would
be the introduction of wild, heather and
ignorant barbarians among the sober,
orderly and quiet slaves, whose ancestors
have been on the soil for several genera
tions. This might tend to barbarize, de-
moralize and exasperate the whole mass,
ana produce the most deplorabIc conse-
quenees.
The effect upon the existing slave,
would, if possible, be still more deplora-
bic. At present he is treated with kind
ness and humanity. He is well fed, well
clothed, and not everworked. His con
dition is incomparably better than tina;
of the coolies which modern nations oi
high civilization have employed as a
substitute for African slaves. Both the
! philanthropy and the self-interest OF the
master have combined to produce this
humane result. But let this trade be re-
opened and what will be the effect? The
same, to a considerable extent, as on a
neighboring iSland-the only spot now
on earth where the African slave trade
is openly tolerated and this in defiance
of solemn treaties with Power abun-
dainty able at any moment to enforce
their execution.
There the master, intent upon the
present gain, extorts from the slave as
much labor as his physical powers are
capable of Notwithstanding that
when death comes to his relief, his place
can be supplied at price reduced to the
lowest point by the competition or riva
African slave traders. Should this even
be the case in our country-whch
do not deem possible-the present usefn
character of The domestic institution
wherein those too old and too young tt
work are provided for with care and hu,
manity, and those capable of labor ar,
not overtasked, would undergo an un
fortunate change. The feeling of recip
rocal dependence and attachment whiel
now exists between master and slav,
would be converted into mutual distrus
and hostility.
But we are obliged as Christian anC
moral nation to consider what would b.
the effect upon unhappy Africa itself, i
we should reopen the slave trade. Thi
would give the trade an i;1pulse and ex
tension which it has never had, even il
its palmiest days. The numerous victim
required to supply it, would convert th
whole slave coast into a perfect Pande
monium, for which this country would b
held responsible in the eyes both of Got
and man. Its petty tribes would then b
constantly engaged in predatory war
: against each other, for the purpose of sci
zing slaves to supply the American maj
ket. All hopes Of African civilization
= would thus be ended.
I On the other hand, when a market 20
r African slaves shall no longer be furnish
ed in Cuba, and thus all the world
e closed against this trade, We may then ia
. dulge a reasonable hope for the gradu,
improvement of Africa. Tue chief NC
}, tive of war among the tribes will ceas
whenever there is no longer any deman
9 for slaves. The resources Of that ferti
: bat miserable country might then be d
q veloped BY the hand Of indastrv and a