The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1866-04-19
POLITICAL.
From the Round Table.
A FRENCH VIEW OF THE NEGRO.

most attractive, periodicals published
in Paris is the " Annales des Voyages,
de la Geographic, de PHistoire, ct de
PArcheologie." Established in 1908,
it is approaching the sixtieth year of
its existence. Its editor, N. Matte
Brun, bears name which is widely and
honorably associated with geographical
studies and researches, and not few of
the French savans are, from time to
time, found among the contributors to
its pages. In the January number of
this periodical we observe an article by
Count Adolphe de Circourt, which is
not without special interest for Amer
ican readers at the present moment. 1t
is critical analysis Of Burton's mission
to the King of Dahomey. Mr.. Burton
is we'll known to us all as one of the
most intrepid explorers as wei. as one
of the most popular writer's of the day.
He was sent by Lord Russell a few
years ago to attempt to induce the King
of Dahomey to abolish the horrid Gus
tom of human sacrifices, which has so
long prevailed among those barbarous
negroes. In giving an account Of this
mission, MI. Burton could not fail to
express himself fully and strongly in
regard 20 the African race, its moral
and intellectual traits, and its capacities
for government and .self.develop-
ment. His conclusion seems to have
been that the negro was little better
than beast of burden, prepared by ma
ture for doing the work of races more
elevated in the scale OF creation. NJ. de
Circourt, ia his brief but excellent arti-
Gle, resists this conclusion, claims for
the negro the essential elements of hu-
manity, and demands from others a re-
spect for his fundamental rights. AT
the same time, however, he is not less
emphatic in opposing the idea that the
negro is fitted for taking part in govern.
ing free country, or for enjoying and
exercising those privileges and preroga-
tives which have heretofore belonged
exclusively to the white race in our
land.
The views of so distinguished and
able writer are worthy of being con.
sidered by all who take an interest in
the subject. NJ. de Circourt is we'll
known to not few of our scholars and
statesmen as person of great intelli-
gence and accomplishments. In the
variety and accuracy Of his information
he has few equals among modern French
writers. His contributions to the mag
azines both Of France and of the CONT
nent are frequent and elaborate, and en-
brace a wide range of subjects, moral,
political, literary and historical. We
are sure that our readers will thank us
for giving them the following transla-
tion of that part of NJ. de Circourt's ar
ticle which relates to the vexed ques'
ton which now agitates our country
1t is certainly far better entitled to at.
tention than thrn the flippant utteranc-
es of his juvenile compat-iot, whose
Eight Months iu tie United States "
has furnished occasion for so many un.
worthy personalities:
"The population of Dahomey, in res
pect to language, is family by itself
quite distinct from the Akreens and the
Achantis, who are its neighbors on the
west; from the Haoussanis, who are Oh
its north aud from the Ibbooes anC
Egbos, who press upon its eastern side
The physical type of this race and it:
intellectual constitution class it mos
decidedly among the pure, woolly haired
negroes, with all the peculiarities in tn,
shape of the head which distinguish tn
African. Now, what is the place o
this race in nature and especially il
humanity - Mr.. Burton has no
shrunk from attempting the solution o
this problem. He devotes to it tn
most piquant and one of the most inter
esting chapters of his work. We shal
not however, adopt his conclusions
Notwithstanding the evident advantage
he derives from an actual knowledge o
The country which he describes, an
from his rare perspicuity in discerniu
the characters of the populations whicl
he visits. Evidently, to his eyes, til
negro is only an instrument of labor, de
signed by nature to tighten the burde
of existence to races more elevated
e the scale of existence. We think, o
the contrary, that the essential traits {
humanity are found in the negro in
e manner to exact from our race respeC
t for the fundamental rights of these A
y rican populations. That which esseI
g TALLY constitutes the mdnis less exteri(
y form than instinct, less instinct than il
S telligence, less intelligence than moral
ty. Now morality reposes in the col
science. That Of the negro can be aw
% kened, and when the image of truth
T presented to it it makes a powerful c
: fort to embrace it-a certain sign that
= participates in the divine origin of h
manity. 1t is true that in the state
which we find these populations ST
a left to their own unaided resources th
', morality lies dormant, or shows itse
d perverted by abominable superstition
IA ., u,,.ko khok 90 thauacal "