|
Main
- books.jibble.org
My Books
- IRC Hacks
Misc. Articles
- Meaning of Jibble
- M4 Su Doku
- Computer Scrapbooking
- Setting up Java
- Bootable Java
- Cookies in Java
- Dynamic Graphs
- Social Shakespeare
External Links
- Paul Mutton
- Jibble Photo Gallery
- Jibble Forums
- Google Landmarks
- Jibble Shop
- Free Books
- Intershot Ltd
|
books.jibble.org
Previous Page
| Next Page
Page 26
"But we have not much faith in the Christianity of those abolitionists
who steal negroes. And the receiver of stolen goods is equally
guilty with the thief. Tom Corwin was not far out of the way (and
it must be conceded that Mr. Corwin has had abundant opportunities
to know) when he declared that 'they (the abolitionists) are a
whining, canting, praying set of fellows who keep regular books of
debit and credit with the Almighty.' 'They will,' he says, 'lie and
cheat all the week, and pray off their sins on Sunday. If they
steal a negro, that makes a very large entry to their credit, and
will cover a multitude of peccadilloes and frauds. This kind of
entry they are always glad to make, because it costs them nothing.'
'But,' adds Mr. Corwin, and this is the severest cut of all, 'when
they cannot steal a negro they give something in charity for the
extension of the gospel, and then commence a system of fraud and
cheating, till they think they have balanced accounts with their God.'
For once we believe Mr. Corwin has told the truth."
CHAPTER IV.
Would the condition of the slaves be ameliorated by emancipation,
under existing circumstances; supposing they continue, either in the
slave, or free States? This is a grave question, and so far as I am
capable, I shall endeavor to give it a candid and impartial answer.
Having resided both in slave and free States, I presume that I have
had as good an opportunity of forming a correct opinion on the subject
as most of others. It has long been my settled conviction, that the
condition of the slaves in the United States, would be in no respect
bettered by emancipation in their present condition, under existing
circumstances; supposing that they continue residents of the United
States. It is in my view, no longer problematical; for I consider it a
settled question, that their condition would in no respect be improved
by emancipation; but on the contrary, I contend, that the condition of
the free negroes in both the slave and free States, is far worse than
that of the Southern slave. I shall again appeal to historical
facts--past experience--and universal observation. Throughout the
slave States, ever since slavery has existed on this continent,
conscientious and benevolent persons have, from time to time
emancipated slaves; and that too, in many instances, under the most
favorable circumstances. And what was the result? In nine cases out of
ten, and I think it probable, that in ninety-nine out of a hundred,
their conditions were evidently made worse thereby. This is an
indisputable fact, well known throughout the South. I resided
forty-four years in the slave States, and had as favorable
opportunities as any man living, for forming correct opinions on the
subject, and I do here most solemnly aver, that of the hundreds of
manumitted slaves, that came under my immediate observation, few,
comparatively very few, appeared to be benefited by the change. The
condition of a large majority of the free blacks in Tennessee and
Virginia, who fell under my observation, was deplorable, and farther
South, I suppose, that it was still worse. I practiced medicine among
them for twenty years, and conversed freely with them; in some
instances on the subject of their emancipation, and they frequently
admitted, that they were in a more comfortable condition while they
were slaves.
A majority of the slaves in the Southern States are professedly pious;
the free negroes more rarely so. A majority of the slaves appear to be
honest; a majority of the free blacks are petty thieves, drunkards,
liars and gamblers. I have frequently known slaves set at liberty on
account of their piety and other good qualities, and within a few
years most of them would undergo a change for the worse--frequently,
in fact, become vicious in the extreme. One instance I will here
record. A gentleman in Western Virginia, by name Carter, held a slave,
Absalom by name. Absalom became a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. He began praying in public a short time after his admission
into the church. Soon he was licensed to exhort, next to preach. All
this occurred, I believe, within less than eighteen mouths. He was
powerful in prayer, and eloquent in exhortation. No one doubted his
piety. He was prospectively liberated by a will. Carter, however, told
him verbally, about this time, that he had made provisions in his will
for his liberation, and that henceforth he could go where he chose,
and do as he pleased. That he was a free man. What was the
consequence? It was not long before a young lady belonging to a
respectable family, was delivered of a mulatto child. On being
questioned as to the child's paternity, she stated that it was parson
Absalom's. Those interested, immediately called on him, and he frankly
confessed that he was the father of the child. Poor Absalom, he was
promoted by the church, set at liberty by his master; caressed and
eulogized by the white brethren--it was too much for him--he could not
bear it--until finally, he was "lifted up with pride," and "fell into
the condemnation of the devil." Then might the church mourn, "O
Absalom, my son! how art thou fallen." This is not an isolated case;
many similar ones fell under my observation, but I cannot stop here to
record them. In the city of Knoxville, East Tennessee, where I last
resided while in the South; there were several hundred free negroes,
and I could readily distinguish a free negro from a slave when I met
him in the street. The slaves, to use Southern parlance, looked fat,
saucy, happy and contented, while the free blacks, with a few
exceptions, had a miserable and dejected appearance. When slaves are
liberated in the South they immediately become stupid, indolent and
improvident, though they were previous to their liberation,
industrious and economical. If previous to their liberation they were
pious, they frequently become vicious; if temperate while slaves, they
often become drunkards, after they obtain their freedom; if honest,
thieves; if truthful, liars. There are exceptions, I admit, and they
are but few exceptions. These are undeniable facts--melancholy
truths--would to God that it had fallen to the lot of some one else to
record them.
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|