The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-09-10


manner in which such subjects were considered in
Europe 200 years ago! An unmanageable tribe of
Red men exported slaves from an Eastern Colo
ny to Malaga in Spain, because they were found
troublesome as servants by certain serious people
The Southern colonsts, who at that period possessed
40 SHIPS forced to purchase and to pay for wild
Africans taken prisoners OF war; ana disposed OF to
traders by their countrymen and were obliged to
teach them work and to supply food, clothing,
tenance and implements for their constantly increasing
families.
The difficulties of this subject were manifest at the
Declaration American Independence and appreciated
contradiction to general truth then announced
The Africans, at this time required double considera-
tion both property and as men. The common colo
NAL laws with regard to the property remained without
immediate change but gradually ameliorated by
individual States African slaves, without being thus
named in our Constitution of government, per-
sonaly enumerated for Congressional Representation
in the ratio of threehs-white men being respected
as units in the periodical census. The natural owners
of the SOIL "uniaxed Indians. were then regarded as
cyphes of no political value for national representation
As transferable property large investments in wild
Africans were insisted upon by the British government,
and the coonists were obliged to yield to the existing
economy of that age In those portions of the country
where fire wood and winter clothing required for
than half the year. this kind of labor proved e1-
pensivc gradual accumulation of these servants,
therefore, tended Southwark where they multiplied
greatly congenia climate. Their increase event
uay became almost the only profit from the
slaves This considered Objectionable feature
with owners who regarded them with humanity, from
the interference with family ties the division of estates
among widows and minor children.
An attempt to establish separate Republican Gov
upon the perpeuty of African slavery appears
an of practical craftsmanship. because the nstitu-
ton always had feeble hold upon the hearts OF many
persons in the South. Several religious associations
specially objected it, such the Society of Friends
the Moravians and the Dunkers besides individuals of
other creeds who conscentiOusy abstaIned from 1t.
The Southern people often discussed its influences
very freely among themselves and in the public con-
ventions of several States But this property IN
creased in value and extent and became the foundation
of much commercial capital and credit general enamel
patton felt to be cOmmensuraely dthcut ny the
people at large in every section of the country.
In the meantime numerous Western States and Ter
ritOres rapidly filling up with population from
different nationaltes of Northern Europe. habitually
taught every description of vassalage, to whom
the peculiares of negro bondage little known,
but, nevertheless made highly objectionable
The great mistake of Southern legislation was the
desire under such circumstances to form separate
government, while the original Constitution OF the
United States still regarded with respect by large
majority of the people dispassionate unprecedented,
Independent looker-on may suggest, from apparent
facts that the Southern colonss, while claiming Atri-
cans as property under the law and the Constitution,
did generally disregard their characteristics as fellow
men. For although in several Eastern States acts
passed prohibiting negro slavery, still the coloed
freedmen invited to assume the privileges
of the ballot box and the jury bench But as soon as
the well hammered respectable and intelligent Southern
slaves were set free they are at once considered entitled
| to all such indugences like other strangers in the
| land" Although, probably. not so intended, this
fact surely indicates high compliment to the manner
in which negro slaves usually treated by generous
masters and miStreSSeS in Southern States of North
America. After a terrible revolution, persons of dis
elimination in the South prepared regard men OF
African blood eventual citizens of the United States.
The freedmen will prosper among their former owners,
who begin TO aid their industry and education, unless
political preludces and the prepossession of races be
promoted by indiscreet and dishonest nterterences
Kind counsel moral and instruction with gradual
accommodations will settle many difficulties which APP
| pear nsumountable at first under sudden changes.
The obvious conduct between former and their
servants in this section evnce amable characteristics
under the altered condition of each 1t surely
cannot be credited by any that the Almighty Creator
has established diversites among solely to en-
courage strife and discod but rather invite liberal
federation by mutual concession and self control for the
peace and security of ALL
| During the contest which prevailed from 1861 to
| 1866. 1 resided with my wife and daughters among
kindly neghbors plantation Charlotte. AS
officer othe United States Branch Mint for 25 years
had general acquaintance with persons from different
sections of the State. may be permitted to add, that
upon the approach of United States troops my house
and premises became repositories of provisions clothing
deeds and valuables of many, who, for some reason
regarded them safe under my charge than i'll the
All had suffered in various degrees their means
of existence being greatly reduced by the natural
sequences of war; which they still feel severely. These
! circumstances may give certain value to remarks
which very respectfully submitted to the honorable
| committee, on the treatment of prisoners of war.
| J. II. GIBBON, NJ. D.,
| Mecklenburg county, n c