Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1865-08-25
What i, seen in the we,, Indies.

\ Nla,sachus It's lawyer Who spent the last
winter in Barbadoes Tor his health, publish
es from hls journal the following
s'searcely thirty years have elapsed since the
complete emancipation Of slaves In the English
colonies; and, although the period Is obviously
too brief TO oblierate entirely the prciuiices be-
tween the two races il has been sufh -iently long
10 demonstrate both the wisdom OF the act and
the fitness Of the culored men for the e1erci-e Of
their righs and privileges rs active members Of
society. the latent energies which had been
snothered by oppression and had slumbered in
the inactivity incidental TO slavery, have already
manifested themselves to such degree as entire
ly to refute any and all theories based upon the
inferiOrity Of races.
Today the colored men occupy a position
which their most singuine friends could hardly
have expected; and a position, too, to which
they have fought their way under many and
great difficulties Their freedom at first was
purely nominal. because poverty male them
completely dependent. Il Is at present rs pure
" real, because the difficulties which originally
beset them have been fought and overcome
How much farther advanced they might be, had
they been placed at first on an eqaal footing.
had they been free from the influence of their
late masters, or whether indeed their progress
would not have been retarded, is only matter of
speculation.
But this, at least. may be affirmed. that their
present position is highly creditable to them
Many have acquired by their industry sufficient
property to rank them among the wealthiest
planters and traders in the islands where they
reside; and considering less in business cri-
terion Of ability, they may be regarded rs com
petent business men, The children of some oi
the wealthy negroes have been thoroughly cdr
Gated in England or Scotland; and some whom
met with we're among the most cultivated per-
sons have ever known. Asmechsnics and ar
tisans. they are altogether indispensable. The
whites we're never accustomed to heavy manual
! labor, and the lighter and more delicate work
was soon usurped BY the coored men, when once
at liberty TO compete on even terms. Their po-
sition SIS freeholders gives all the privileges as
electors in parish and colonial meetings. and the
parochial and general councils and legislatures
have their share Of colored representatives. |,
is not necessary TO say that they outshine their
white ne ghbOrs in debate and legislation. in or
der To prove their ability, and such is very sel-
dom the case; but 1t is certainly true that then
interests are so well represented as to secure
/ them from open or covert encrOachments on tht
/ part of the whites
In the liberal professions. also, they have al
ready assumed AID evinced their ability 10 m ain
/ tain respectable position. i
Colored clergymen. lawyers and physicians
attend TO the spiritual. legal. and physical want
of the community, not, as might he supposed
I dispensing alone to the people Of their OWN col
1 or, but 10 people in general who need their pro
I fessional services. e-y --lT
Twas much struck in attending the Court on
day with the argument Of black lawyer, o
unmiIal African descent. The case vas unde
the penal clause OF the English Bankrupt Law
and was conducted by the crown officers for tn
4 prosecution. | heard the arguments to the ju
! risdiction of the Court and am bound TO &C
knowled.e that in point Of cleverness and lega
acuteuess, the black counsel clearly led Nr. Al
.orney General; while for sophistry and cunnir
\ adroitHess, be was far in aiyapce Of his cppo
uent..' 40 '''' - e. =. .-s.-lt
4 n. :coutrv ssrerfained thhi fhe biark lav