The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-08-10

ulSEOSltIOuS OI Inc natives, ana nave
found it impossible to make Roadway
against their ignorance and supersti-
tions, their bloody witchoraft practices,
and their all pervading and revolving in
ternnl slave trade. Bruce, Baker, Living
stone, Speke, Grant, Du Chaillu and
others, all agree in the accounts they
give OF their moral degradation, and ex-
pect no solid advancement in their con-
dition until reform is effected in these
hideous practices and rites. Sir Samuel
Baker was recently, and VIC believe is
still, in the heart of Africa, in the COM
mand OF over 1000 men, struggling to
suppress the slave trade, the horrors OF
which he witnessed when on his cxpedi-
tion ten or dozen years ago, to discover
the sources of the Nile.
Sir David Livingstone, in his recent
letters to James G. Bennett. Jr., like
wise expatiates upon its evils. Baker,
who is warm opponent of slavery in
all it's forms, and who is dedicating bis
life and fortune to the recovery of the Az
ricans from their degradation, has found
his greatest obstacle in their positive
aversion to receive and appreciate the
good that he offers them, in their blind
attachment to what he seeks to extir-
pate from amongst them, and in the lack
of those elements of character upon
which he may successfully build. Those
who have read his Albert N'yansa will
recall this, amongst other similar pas
sages in which that work abounds:
"Human nature viewed in it's crude
state, as pictured amongst African
savsges, is quite on level with that of
the brute, and not to be compared with
the noble character OF the dog. There
is neither gratitude. pity. love nor self.
denial; no idea OF duty. no religion, but
covetousness, ingratitude, selfishness and
cruelty. All are thieves, idle, envious,
and ready to plunder and enslave their
weaker neighbors."
Our colored population, as we have
said. have undoubtedly left their bro
theirs in Africa far behind them. Here
the word of God is in their hands, and if
duly read and pondered, will produce
the happiest effects upon their impress
sionable natures. Here they have been
Injured 10 labor, and have the blessed
capacity. as we'll as the blessed privilege,
of work. Here they have caught in
spiration from examples of stirring &C.
tivity, OF high purpose, of infexible
justice, and of pure truthfulness, which
shine all around and before them in his
tory and in living men. The character
of Washington is theirs to study and
model themselves upon, accessible in
histories which they can read. That of
Grant is before them in all its deformity,
which they may shun, if they will. May
it not be said to them by their modern
Mokanna, when he drops the silver veil
which oonceals his hideousness from
their eyes:
There. ye wise saints, behold your light,
your star;
Ye ,oouto be dupes and victims. and ye arei"
Horace Greeley, having done his duty
through long life to black men, is now
engaged in similar efforts in favor of the
oppressed white people of the South.
Mr.. Sumner we'll says that "the two dis
cordant races find kindred hospitality in
him. and he thus becomes tie of union."
Will the colored people appreciate him
in this commanding position? Will the
scales fall from their eyes. 80 that they
may see the future in the past of his
history, and learn that the latter is
guarantee Of the former, and pledge of
the accomplishment of all practicable
good in their behalf? Or will they, on
the other hand, show themselves to be
no higher than their barbarous contem-
poraries in far away Africa, devoid of
sense OF duty. animated by no high prin.
cipie, bereft OF all feelings OF gratitude
toward chose who have most signally
and faithfully befriended and protected
them? Colored people. think on these
things.
COLUMBIA, 3. O., August 9, 1872.