The debate on the grand W...
The Times, 1824-03-18T00:00:00

The debateon the grand West India question will have been read with an interest proportioned to the importance of the subject, and the talents of the speakers. We gave yesterday an abstract of the measures proposed by Mr. CANNING, as the basis of the plan recommended on the part of Government. What nmiy be called the m7anicipal part of these measures, is to be applied only to the newly-acquired colonies subject to the iimme- diate administration of the Crown.' Trinidad, St. Lucia, and Demerara; and it is conceived that the old British co. lonies maybe piqued itnto an imitation of the humanity dis- played in the gorernment of the slaves of those settlements. Were the question of the abolition ofthe slave-tradenowifrsr raised, this modified and partial measure might impart some hope, or give some satisfaction; but when we consider how long every feeling of the human heart, and every cnergy of the most powerful minds, have been embarlked in the cause of abolition, and how much of the odious prac- tice still exists uncontrolled, we cannot but fear that feebler measures may be considered as a proof of decliningaeal in the good work. The disgusting barbarity of flogg,ing women with the cart-whip ought to have been abolished in all the islands; and we trust that those to which the order in Ccfuncil will not in the first instance apply, will, thrQghi Alteir ouw legislative bodies, immediately ado?; the ihint given them by Governmnent, and not wajt for the tardy operation of the example. It is difficult to say in what way an ecclesiastical csta- blishment, con-isting of two Bishops and a subordinate Clergy, caui be most beneficially applied to islands; in one of which there are parishes equal in extent to English coun- ties. Mr. BuXTON objected to rendering the preachers of other persuasions dependent for the exercise of their-func- tions uplon the ecclesiastical establishment; tiose preithers would, however, we sbould conceive, be yet more nvPrse to be subjected to the planters or local magistracy.- A-hurch establishment, originating entirely from home, anid totally independent of the more wealthy inhabitants bf the islands, might present a strong bulwark against their tyraii.y, and become a refuge to the oppressed. A clergy ought verto be elected by those whom it is their duty Lo adAress i-for by such election the independence of their cbaracter, und the dignity of their oflice, are vitiated in the ye souree It appears that the immediate proceeds of thehalfni1lion demanded'for the building of new chu(ches aihoaie, the principal not being iimmediately wanted)> rttiinploy- ed in the formation. and. support of the eccleSastical esta. bliahiaent in the AVest Indies. Without' b`i'osdipxting the.propriety. of 11Ws change of is,tlnatioh, te'nust repref Eendz1 *e audacity rawiDg.w6nc@n ipet ?Qr a ptefor wtSchds that te4l-, 'cnoigzi Tll?ns;$~teoet -'t were IIIppAl applied lxy Mr. C2 sEStotesato o te Slave'WFhim he should be regener&ted by efoiii; nd-. the qusotaiorx W thbis s fihbpityiivefted -by Ar iXrOV kt 0 s& as 6esenb neitcondilioli. :-t'.'The House eaust ?ay thatslavery iook; away fromn vianthe os sublime which naturehad given hiM ;,t.flat it lorbad him calum ?? fu -that it rrV.,ibited.- hitn ftot tamising his counte- t Hf ea3esbn,ectis ad~s?dert toUerevulhas; and corn- - ( flUed-hra to imiutae the humb1e-asmd dowi cast look of -An& brute CreatiOin No? dsvision took phce; the Abolitionists acquiesced in E. CA2fS -pYropns1tions-_ -_