New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-06-24

HOW ABOUT JAMAICA.
1t is agreed that Emancipation has failed
in Jamaica, if anywhere. In Trinidad, An
tigus, and the smaller British West Indies, its
success is no longer disputed. Jamaica-isle
of tho fllibuster and the smuggler to the Span
i.h main-was ruined tstore Emancipation, and
il claimed to have gouo from bad to worse
since. Let us inquire into the facts.
A clergyman who has spent the last eighteen
years in Jamaica as a missionary writes to
The Morarian (Bethlehem, Pa. as follows:
The subject of Emancipation had for many years
been before the British Parliament, and was often
The theme Of conversation at The dnnertabe OF the
Jamaica planter. The servants IN attendance loi
whom there were usually number were eager al
though silent hearers OF tue Ienarks maze, snd o
the exciting dis ,ussons upon the subject aud com
munica,ed what they overheard 10 their fellow
slsyea, Thus tie belief gained ground among them
that Government bad already freed them, but tnal
the boon wss withheld by their masters. They de-
termiDed to secure the supposed eiit' aud ,hr at
tempt resulted in the insurecton which took place
at the close of 1892 and the beginning OF 1888. THIS
fnsnrreetion was the means OF eXpedi.ing measures
Tor Eman ipaton and 1t was then that an act passed
Parliament requiring an apprenticeship OF Tour
wears preparaory to full emancipation; the latter to
lake piaee on Aug. l. 1888. During the period Of the
apprenticeship the slave was required to labor four
days OF tee hours eich per week for his master and
the remaining part OF the tine he could, by task-
work OF o,berwhe, devote To bis own advantage
This was upon the whole, wise measure, sery-
ing the double purpose of guarding agains, abuse
of liberty through idrness, and OF furnishing tie
negro-r ala opportunity TO obtain means wherewiih
10 puxchsfs land and erect dwellings for themselves,
when emanoipated. Facilities for doing 70 Were AZ
forded by the sale Of properties, the cultivation of
which had been partially abandoned; and these were
purchased in small lots by the emancipe;ed slaves
In consequence thereof, much OF the labor OF the
negroes wac Withdrawn from the larger properties
and plantations and bestowed by them uron their
own small ireeholds ard thus the exports OF the
staile produce Of the island suffered for time. We
are glad o observe that there il gradual improve
rnent in this respect; and cherish the hope that
in few years hence, the exports from Jamaica VIII
compare favorably with those of former years.
Its "A fact not generally known. that "A very con-
siderable proportion Of the present exports are
raised by the negroes upon their ireeholds. Thus
the main par, of The coffee, and nearly all the ginger
and considerable quantity Of pimento produced
by tbem and disposed Of 10 the storekeepers through
out the island They find Themselves better remuner
sted for their labor in this way, than If they
PENDED IL upon the properties OF others al the low
rate of wages about % cents per day ordinarily
maid IL il owing this fact that the planters have
hai to resort to The importation Of coolies from the
East Indies and China to procure laborers for their
estates and not to the asserted Incidence OF the
groes. The latter have. Tor the most part, removed
from the estates or plantations, and live upon their
own lauds; the majority owing from five to ten
acres. and come Of them AZ many IA thirty to fifty
acres OF lard. II pleasing 10 Observe the improve
ment in the dwellings, erected by Themselves, when
compared TO the wretcled novels furnished them in
the days OF Slavery, or the miserable accomnoda-
tons of the present day offered 70 the coolies.
We are bold to assert that the peasantry Of ia
maica, considering the short period oil their exist
cnce as a free people. will compare fayorably with
the peasan,ry OF other nations. We are ready to
admit that there il yet much room for progress aud
tina, we find habits aud practices still prevailing,
bearing traces OF their former degraded condition
when slaves; but IL cannot be reasonably expected
that one generation should suffice 10 raise them from
the lowest degree of degradation ~ he highest point
in ciyilz ,tion. All things considered, we have
every reason 10 thank God and take courage.
By the act OF Emancipation, all the rishis and
privileges of Bg ISL subject were bestowed, with
out any reservation, upon the emancpaied negro.
The fears entertained by some, tina, snch privileges
would be abused have proved groundless; on the
contrary, they have had the effect Of stimulating
him 10 cxertion 10 approve himself worthy OF them.
can SPEAK IRON personal observation, and attest
that our negroes in Jamaica show oil Difference 20
tho white man. and continue TO regard bis superb
ority over themselves. wherever tho white man has
maintained the integrity Of his character and posi-
ton such.
We have ut the presept time number Of colorei
/
We have them holding commissions rs Justices oil the
Pence NestrymeD IA members of the lonse oi sscm.
bly,, the legislative body OF the island TIE present
Speaker OF the House of Assembly the Hon. Ndw
Jordan G.. D., lie colored man loi fair compleSionl
and he is likewise Mayor Of Kingston. The present
Attorney General for Jauaica is also II colored man,
aud number more OF the legal profession OF mno'
reputation One Of the chief medical practitioner
in Jamaica IN IA colored man. We also have mum
Dor OF colored filling the sacred Office Of minis
ters Of the Gospel, employed by various denomina
lions Of tho Christian Church. Thee are facts
which can be fully substantiaiod, and should have
weight in the mind of every unprcJudiced person
proving that the eolcred race possesses the natural
ability 10 attain MI honorable position III tho fuiall
OF mankind.
Much abuse has been hesped upon the negro FACE
and even the want of natural affection for thor OF
spring has been laid to their charge. Thus ier IN
sance il was continually assertc, that the eolore,
population Of Jamaica was yearly decreasing sine
tie lime of emancipation, because OF the alleged III
difference on the part Of parents TO tho health o
their children. The census OF lSol ceaiy proves
the falrehood OF this assertion. The fosnsr censn
was taken In 1874, aud after An intcrvat X seyentes
years. the result wus as follows:
Total population in lSii-317 ABB
According to the census of 1867: .
Whies.......,.. .............<..........''d s,aV
Colored Tor Mulsitoes) eSVo,
|
Total population. ....................'"a4i'zo
The above shows clear increase in seventee
years Of 63 63l
This increase would have been yet greater, but IL
Ia 4 l...f no. Eln