Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1866-01-05
WHAT THE RATING COTTON
PLANTERS WILL FIND IN BRAZIL

'"i4iS piaSC III 'iit I'utSuIJS anu IOillIltS Vi
individuals, as these are influenced by eman-
cipation in this country consequent upon at
tempted revolution, nothing seems more de-
terminatey absurd than the proposition of
certain of the Southern devoees to the late
peculiar institution to indulge their anger
and chagrin by emgrating to Brazil. Con-
sidcring life among the slaves rs dcsid
eratum, evidently, and unable to find any
other nationally accessible that tolerates
slavery, these men are fam to looh to Brazil
as to that ''distant paradise, - which, once
attained, nothing shall vex them more.
But, ''look before you leap" is an old
proverb. the wisdom Of which is obvious
enough; and it seems likely that if these NAL
contents who, in the wide scope of country
extending across whole continent, find it
impossible to content themselves, were fully
aware of the trials to which they propose to
subject their families and themselves. even on
the score of the social status,-they would
hesitate, and indeed abandon an attempt to
better their condition, which sensible men,
progressive men, must consider Quixotic and
foolish to the last degree.
Let it be noted that negro equality is the
terrible bugbear which is driving numbers of
these men to this course; and as that is the
motive power which is so potent, let lis see
from reliable source what these voluntary
exies from country like this have TO expect
We quote:
The most remarkable circumstance in the
''social state of Brazil, is, that between the
''white race and the black there is no dirisioa
..Or seems to be none, on the ground Of colo,.
1.-The only distinction is between bond and
''free. The two races meet together in social
intercourse upon footing Of perfect equality,
''if their position in life in other respects al
flows it. MfermmTiageS are made bctwecn
"them ,citb0m changing their place in society
son either side. Not only the offices aud
''powers of government are equally open to
''both classes, and in possession of both, but
''thc blacks can enter every profession and
business, aud enjoy every means Of social
Influence and advancement in life. We have
4.known the wife of an admiral, whose hue
twas of the darkest among Africa daughters
''We have heard Of the disnay of an Amer
''can diplomatic agent at the entrance of p
venerable jet black colonel into the court.
''where he had Just undergone his prescnta,
''tion. 1t is not long since the minister Of
'.foreign affairs, the ambassador to England,
land one of the most prominent lawyers Of
''Rio Janeiro. and a member of the lcgiSla-
''ture were mulattoes it is very likely they
/ IL
''the profession which is in all countries the
profession of responsibility, if one may
Judge by the specimens seen in the capital
land the military school for the education OF
''officers, the great majority are Of african
''descent and amongst the cficsrs, the pro
portion seems to he hearty the same rs
''GmongSi The prirdteS.
Does not this tell the story of what Is to he
gained by emigrating to Brazil in order to es-
cape those things which have become offensive
TO the planters of the Carolinas, of Georgia
Alabama and Mississippi? and will these gentle
men-unless they can get up another rcvolu-
ton in their proposed new home-hayc any
reason whatever to congratulate themselves Mt
their change of base? With their fierce as
sumptions as to social position cflectualy
raced by the already conceded elevation of
the negro to the level of the white race, viii
their wives or daughters be pleased at the
change?
But, after all, there is for the emigratng
planter some light, as an offset to this dark
ness: and we shall not withhold it: bat pre-
,ap+;p,, hot thara : Of cor,E,r+ ,.o,,,;
ses. leave any such as are enamored of Brazil
TO draw their own conclusions. Here it is:
"The general equality which exists between
'the two races does not lessen the security a.
'!fke Institution Of Slaue,y. 1t has probably
'even the contrary effect since it allows all
''classes of the free population, blacks as well
COS whites, to become interested in its sup
port. r"'''~-l Of being founded in gene
''ral sentiment directed agalns, oil tho :,
''dlyldualS OF a certain race or color slavery
becomes merely personal relation between
1.-THE master and slave; and as appears to have
''been the case among the Greeks and Romans
1.-THE institution is strengthened rather than
weakened by being placed upon this footing
Relieved from the appearance of general
prescription, 1t appears as one of those
personal misfortunes to which all men on
''deavor to submit with a good grace, when
They are inevitable The manner of tn,
''slaves is generally less abiect than elsewhere:
they feel less degraded by their position. On
1.-THE other hand, there is no disposition to re-
LAX the severity of bondage, but rather the
contrary, when, as frequently happens in
Brazil, blacks are subjected to masters Of
''their own color The existence of class
''of free blacks in such numbers as they arc
'tound-tor in the cities they are probably at
least equal IN number to the rhttes. is not
''eaSy to be accounted for. Some have oh.
'tained their freedom by their own cxcrtions
''or the negligence Of their masters. \ =
1.-The principal cause, however must be the
frequent manumissions which take place in
consequence of the intimate connections
existing between masters and slaves, and
which have been encouraged by the uniform
''polcy of the Catholic church
Well there is the picture of Brazil Of its
leading features at least, as bearing upon pro-
jects of emf grafton from this country: and we
doubt very greatly whether any sensible man
here-however he may be angered and dis.
gusted with what has taken place-wiIl be
greatly enamored with it. And when we
consider, further,-as stated by the same in
telligent writer,--that Brazil is country
where great inequality of condition. exists
'amongst the free population that s'whilst
''there are large estates owned by few great
''pr1pretors, or belonging in various WAYS to
1.-THE Church and its dependents, great por-
''tion of the inhabitants are not only poor
themselves, but are shut out from the chance
"of acquiring property in the only mode of
(which they have any knowledge-by the
labor Of other people" the case is plainly
still worse; and we repeat-wil not, when
understood, make that country attractive TO
any large number of the citizens of any State
here.
In conclusion, "seeing is believing" and we
observe by the only published account of the
mission of exploration entered upon by some
of these planters, that matters are by no means
rose color to them. An earnest complaint is
uttered at the slovenly and ''half clad'' con.