New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-08-04

there were not wanting at the time when it took elect
prophets Of evil who predicted its utter failure. But IL
has not in any sense failed As regards the material In
teress of the colonies there have been true great
changes during the last thirty years. In some oil the
colonies-Jamaica, for example-the fortunes oil the
old pantocracy have been considerably reduced;
but cotemporaneousy with the decline OF one
particular class, another class has arisen, consist
ing of the late slaves and their offspring VINO are
gradually developing new sources oil wealth. anu
creating more healthy state OF things 'nan
existed in the days Of Slavery. Wealth ana coni'
fort are not now the exclusive inheritance o' one
class but being generally diifused throughout the
whole community. The small settler interest
in Jamaica is gradually but surely rising in'o
great importance, both as an industrial agency anu
social element. And if we look at some oil the oVci
colonies We find the planting interest proper tna'
is, the interest connected with the large Piah'
tation system, in q much more thriving state th"n
during tho days of Slavery. Demerara mas riSeh
from comparative insignifcance as aproducng coun'
try to be first-cass sugar colony. Trinidad Is ioi
lowing closely in her wake. The annual exports OF
Antigua are larger at present than they were before
emancipation; and during the last IS years Barbados
mtted that the industry of Demerara and Trinidad
has been largely aided by ooolie immigration; but
this imported labor has only supplemented. not dis
placed, native labor. without which 1t would be I'M
possible to continue sugar cultivation. Thus wheth-
or working for themselves as independent settlers as
in Jamaica or for wages on the large plantations, as
in the other colonies have named, tho freedmen oil
the West Indies have tumphanty refutcd the SANDER
that lazness deeply ingraincd in their nature
that nothing but the sharp coercion OF the lash could
stimulate them to steady industry. In respect OF the
moral aspects of the question, too, the signs are all
encouraging and hopeful. Education is spreading,
civilization is steadily advancing, among the blacks;
and considering that but little more than quarter oil
century has elapsed since these people delivered
from bondage debasing as it was cruel the social
progress which has been made by them must be pro-
nounced something truly wonderful. The coiored
people of the United States have reason then to be
ashamed of their brethren in the tropics; for these
have already riumphanty indicated the claims OF the
race to the attributes of humanity, and to partcpa-
ton in the benefits and responsibilities of progress
siye civilization. But while our colored citizens
celebrate tho deliverance which the First OF August
1899. witnessed let them not be unmindiul OF the
moral OF the history OF west ihuia emancipation
Starting in the race Of freedom with superior advan'
tages to those enjoyed by the freedmen OF Jamaica
and other colonies. it is for them to give brighter evil
dcnce of the capabilities of their race for improvement
in everything that is excellent and praseworthy-ior
them TO prove themselves fully equal to the duties oil
that state Of freedom which, in common with the white
citizens of our country it is now their happiness TO
enjoy all over the Unionthereby fastening the time
when African slavery, fruitful in woes, shall for
ever cease to act the world with its terrible evils.