The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-07-28

The light thrown on the negro character by
the letters of DR.. Livingstone will be welcomed
in this country as help to the solution of a
question of the gravest importance to our
future welfare. In view of the different and
widely divergent theories which are accepted
by powerful sections of the population in
relation to the effect which the admission
of the negroes as citizens is likely to exercise
ON our political and social well being, it is well
to have the opinion of an intelligent observer
on which to base our conclusions. Although
the conditions under which the negroes are
seen in Africa and in America differ widely,
yet the general characteristics Of that race are
found to be similar in both hemispheres. Be
tween the freeman and the slave there is, of
course, wide distinction; but the point which
most affects us to know is how the negro
is likely to use his freedom. There
could be for the solution of this question no
better guide than to look at him at home,
where his fancies and his passions have full
play and flow unrestrictedly into their natural
channel The main points of character are
found to resemble so closely that we may rea-
sonably assume that were our manumit-
ted slaves freed from outside influences
they would naturally develop the same
characteristics as distinguish the negro in his
native land. Between the inhabitants of the
interior of Africa and our Southern blacks
there is really no more difference than natu-
rally results from the enjoyment of liberty by
one and the brutalizing effects Of slavery on
the other. wherever We find the negro he is
the same happy, good-natured, simple, credu-
lous being, capable of strong attachments and
not much troubled with ambition. So long as
he can procure the necessaries of life
without much toll he is happy, and once his
immediate wants are supplied he is not likely
to make much exertion. This is not very
noble type of man, nor one calculated to
become the most desirable kind of citizen; but,
such as he is, we must make the best of him.
There is not much use in trying to correct
nature, and it is only in the progress of time
and by the spread Of enlightenment that the
black race can be made to adopt higher aims
in life than the enjoyment of physical ex-
istence. With such aspirations it is only
possession of the rights that the law has con-
ferred on them. They are sure to find their
natural level. If they were left to themselves
they would soon settle down into quiet and
friendly relations with their white neighbors,
and the result would be most advantageous
to themselves and the community in
which they live They would certainly
be we'll treated by the white popula-
ton, because having votes they would
be an object of interest to both parties But
while the negro is remarkable for child-like
docility he is also credulous and easily made
the dupe of designing PERSONS who excite his
prejudice or his fears. In spite of his docle
nature his passions may be famed until ne is
transformed into monster BY their intrigues
the Northern politicians are laying the seed of
hate and strife between the races in the South,
careless of everything but their selfish lust of
power. Under the pretence of being protectors
and friends of the black man, they are raising
up for him enemies, who though powerless for
time, may ultimately get the upper hand.
BY tanning the passions and exciting the fears
Of tho black men they threaten 70 inaugurate o