The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-09-24
COLUMBIA, S. c..
Thursaay Morning. September "a, "a.
Tho Advancement OF tho African In
this Country In the Days OF Slavery,

thA8 SOunkIy III kAAo OAy8 VA 61AVcxys
It is very common in writer's who
take counsel of their preiudioes, and
in speakers who ais; g! merely partisan
objects, to expatiate upon the degrade
ton whioh slaTery wrought in the
United States npon the African race.
The truth of this matter cancot be as
certained yet, and il stated, would not
now be welcome. There are diff.
oulties IN the way Of clear judgment
and OF it's free expression, which
only time and changes can remove.
The negro as a voter is a valuable
fruitful thems wherewith to sway
his imputed wrongs and injuries a
element in American politics, and
own and the minds of other men. In
this State, where they bear sway, or
rather uphold the sway of their political
keepers, all discussions concerning the
bottom facts of his condition while in
state of servitude would be ruled out
OF order. We have only, therefore, 10
say word upon single point. In
Africa, slavery OF particular races
there has existed from time immemo-
rial. These races supplied the demands
OF early slave.traders. The Dutch,
Portuguese and Eoglish soon learned
from their intercourse with the natives
the differences which existed in the
tribes. They found out. as matter
Of business, those which were best
adapted bJ :hoir physical and moral
nature to serve the purpose OF suLjec-
ton and labor for others. The planters
who purchased them learned also to
distinguish between the csrgoes, and
to select from them such as had been
accustomed to toll and uncom plainirg
submission. That was mainly the
stock originally imported. Unpromis-
ing as it was, and unfavorablo US, it is
oaimtd, the status in which lie was
kept was tn happiness and the develop
ment OF his manhood, facts go to show
that no happier people ever existed
than African slaves, more especially
in the South. Tho climate suited them,
the labor was not severe, and tho
friendly and affectionate disposition of
the sable foreigner, and his good SER
vice, soon made those who were his
masters his friends. The black color,
the power of endurance, the absence
of nervous irritability, e1empting the
African from infammatory diseases,
protected him against the effects of
heat, made his tolls light, and his life
healthy and secure, even in miasmatic
localities. The fierce Indian has melted
away or receded from civilization; the
gentle African increased and hou rished
in swamps and jnngles. From few
hundred thousand, they came to num-
ber more than four millions. The ratio
of increase OF negro slaves in the South
was double that Of free negroes in the
North. The duration of life was great
or in the former. The census of 1860
showed that there were three times as
many deaf-mutes, four times as many
blind, more than three times as many
idiots. and more than ten times es
many insane, in proportion to num-
bers, among the free colored persuns
than among the slaves. The negro's
physical development, his stature, en-
ergy aud strength reached its height
during his bondage. In intelligence
he rose far above that of the tribes
from which he came. His moral na-
ture also received an impulse never felt
before, and adapted as he peculiarly is
to receive religious Impressions, he ac-
Gci.ea g knowledge Of God and a
sense OF duty and obligation which was
a revelation to him. By the despised
agency of slavery. as has been we'll
sail, "tha knowledge of God aud his
religion has been brought home, with
practical effect, to greater number of
heathens than by all the combined
missionary efforts of tho Christian
world"
We have reoulled these once familiar
bat now almoat forgotten facts, to
show that there was soul Of goodness