Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1861-02-28
pertinent free from blemish He is passive


giyen to lyiug, and as a concomitant,
thievish, and is also lascivious, lust being
his strongest passion. And thus it is OBJ
vious that whilst many of the traits speci-
fed, render the Africans happy, peaceful,
contented and cheerful, in state that would
break the spirit and destroy the energies Of
the native American or European many
others of his moral peculiarities demand
the discipline and restraint afforded by our
institution. Here under this species of pa
triarchal government, the negro enjoys just
as much liberty as is compatible with his
endowment and attainments, and is sur
rounded by the very laws and restrictions,
that will best develope his energies, and
yet curb his passions and contribute to his
essential necessities.
8. Slavery copfers upon the African So
cial advantages, to which he is a stranger
in every other condition. 1t introduces
him into the family, where he is protected
from enemies and inconveniences and prl.
vatious, to which the poor of every country
are subjected. The domestic regulations
and laws, existing in slave holding families
and communities, constitute the master,
both the friend and protector of his slave,
and interest demands that it should be 80.
Hence slaves are exempted from extortion
and rude violence of which the free poor
are victims. The negro slave has, also, all
his necessary wants supplied, food and clo-
thing for himself and family, are always
made sure, Notwithstanding the fluctuations
incident to business and society. No anx-
iety is ever felt by the slave parent as to the
supply of bread for his wife and children.
Whilst the freeman is often witness to
starvation, or at least pinching want, ap-
preaching his family, the slave can ever
feel at ease, for the bread and meat needful
for his household, are made certain by his
interested masters efforts. When sickness,
or in6rmity, or age, comes upon the slave or
his kindred, even then, no solicitude need
disturb his mind, for the owners hand will
minister to these wants; and when dying,
the enslaved parent need never be distressed
about his wife or his children lacking fu-
ture provisions. To these facts, which
could be multiplied to any extent, we may
add the strong affection almost universally
existing between the masters family and
his slaves, and also the opportunities for So
cial enjoyment allowed the slaves of the
same and different families Put all these
in contrast with the poor of the society of
any country of the world, and who can
doubt that in these respects, the slaves
condition is most advantageous.
+. The religious privileges, to which the
slaves are introduced, form prominent
part in the benefits of slavery. From the
darkness, horrors and degradation of Hea-
thendom, they pass to the enjoyment of
Gospel and religious privileges and benefits.
All, who are conversant with the facts of
the case, know that the Southern slaves are
surrounded by abundant opportunities for
religious instruction Besides the cate
chetical teachings received at home, in not
few instances, thousands are catechised
By the Church, and in every community
where church exists, special provisions are
made for the accommodation of the blacks,
so that in most cases, the same Gospel that
is preached to the master can be, or is heard
by his slaves and in numerous localities
there are special arrangements made by
which special services are enjoyed by the
servants. Thus not only does the slave
occupy the same Sanctuary with his master,
but be stands at the same baptismal fount,
and sits at the same sacramental table, and
NAV cherish the same religious hopes, and
when sick or dying, may have the same
spiritual consultations administered unto
him. To all of these privileges he receives
cordial welcome, and is never regarded
as an intruder, and yet they are gratuitous-
ly lavished upon them, no price being de-
manded or expected from the slave. To
indicate that these religious opportunities
have been appreciated, improved and bles-
sed, let it suffice to say that in the various
christian churches of the South, there is
total colored membership of Jour Hundred
and si.rty fce thousand, being an average
of one to every nine Of the slave popula-
ton. This surpasses the world in point of
numbers. Besides this, says late journal !:
at is a safe calculation, to say that three
for every one connected with the churches
!, attend divine service on the Lords day. In
the extreme Southern States there are more,
for the owners and overseers require them,
in many instances, to turn out to preaching.
Then 465, 900 multiplied by three gives us
one million three hundred and ninety.fve