The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-10-18
CO]lI]UMBi[,A, s. g.
Saturday Morning, Ing v;G5to 9 Der Is. 1873.
Ths BindiSK znstinsts of Race.

1uo AQfA1cttpcut VI yn0fA1glcRu race
which, id The. providence of God, was
planted on. this continent, and has
grown to millions, in intelligence and
virtue, must sss daSously wished by
every good man. It is necessary to this
chat it maintain its! integrity as q race,
and, except in the matter OF political
action, it's identity unaffected by ad-
mixture with other races. AS there are
in all families certain peculiarities. GER
tain marked traits Of blood, disposition
or mind, sosnations and tribes have q
peculiar impress which marks the whole
course Of their being. IT is instructive
sometimes TO recur to these germ peou.
liarities Of race. Sir Samnel Baker says
that the chief evils. showing the most
marked characteristics which he found
topreyail among Ire aplbpieo Africa.
were the domestic slsys trade and witch
craft. The latter holds the minds of
the people III 6emPlete snbjeosion, and
leads to murders, both judicial aud by
assassination.g unparalleled for their
number and htrocity in any other part
OF thefetobs. Da Ohaillu describes it's
universality and cruelty, and grimly
paints the poor victims 'writhing under
the fortunes Of Calebar bean and other
poisons, administered to them to asoer-
tain the fact end degree Of imputed
guilt. The domestic slave trade largely
disrupted and often obliterated the ties
Of family. kindred and, friendship.
Fathers sold their children into slavery.
conquering tribes and victorious chiefs
thait eaptiyes, by whole villages and by
thousands. Kspt in pens. chained, tor.
tured and famished, they were turned
over to the tender mercies of the slave
trader, whose craft was stealthily moored
.at,some eonyenient point. The horrors
-of-lthe middle passage were next to be
encountered, and they were suoh as
only rapaeity and greed could devise.
Those ,of. the unhappy eargoes, whose
strength OF constitution brought them
alive through such trials, were happily
transferred, in the course of trade. to
the hands Of masters, whose interest was
to earepforF their hsaith; and strength.
Put to good honest work, they received
in exchange for it support, clothing,
lodging, protection and immunity from
tropble. and formed habits of industry,
andiaEqdiredtth the tact in handling imple.
msntsiof husbandfy, and even tools OF
mechanicAl trades. ;Vhioh is . deserved
and honorary distinction Of the race.
In this condition they increased in num-
bers de no other peasant race every did,
and furnished fewer prisoners for, jails
and fewer patients for insane hospitals
thapr any other Of equal numbers any
where! Passing through these varying
fortunes and phases, they at last
emerged into another and higher condi-
ton. BY the results of civil war, in
which their rights and status were only
incidentally insoivsaa they were taken
out of this condition happy one. but
only preparatory and probationary
and placed Coma still higher plane OF
PERSONAL freedom and full American
citizenship. They stand before the
American people and the world 4.00O.-
600 strong, but still colony distinct
and separate. The feeling of race con-
sciously and unconsoiousiy drives them
together. They are pilgrims and
strangers in foreign land, with such
marks Of originality stamped upon
them, as were never meant to be oblite.
rated. Accordingly we see them mani
Testing the instinct of self.preservation,
and the impulse towards selfish national
action. which is characteristic OF all un.
mixed races.
In the progress Of the race towards
its final mission, It's dangers are those
which are inherent in its blood, under
the strong and trying temptations to
which their political consequence sub
jects them in this country. They are
as oredulous hero as their forefathers
were in Africa. There they worshipped
fetishes. and bowed their spirits to the
embrace OF a yoeaca. .ro;aonino irfa.da.