BLACK AND WHITE.
Two methods have been proposed for closing the Negro question. Heretofore only one of these methods has been properly repre- sented in England ; we may call it the Coercive method, as the other may be called the Auxiliary method. The idea of the Coer- cive method is, that the White populations which are brought in contact with the Negro race should be compelled to desist from the use of Slavery, to abandon any means for the recruitment of Slave labour, and to associate with the emancipated Negro. This plan has been properly represented in England, and confirms to be so. The leading statesmen of both parties retain a blind faith in the efficacy- of their method. They keep up a large fleet on the coasts of Africa and America, to prevent the ccnstant recruitment of Negro labour in the West from the Native sources in Africa ; they take public oppoetuaities of showing their sympathy with those who would compel slave-owners, and the GovermaNnts of states in which slave-owners reside, to abolish the institution of Slavery ; when slave-owners, or the members of the subjugated race, enter their presence, the philanthropist zealots seize the oc- casion to incite a special exultation in the Black man, and to hu- miliate the White man. On several occasions we have explained how that party has actually failed, in its objects. It has made the West Indies an example of avoidance. It has actually pre- vented the passing of emancipation in several of the Southern States of the American Union. And it has in no degree assisted in that method which appears to us to be the most hopeful for
aee.ethe very object of the Abolitionists,—the emancipation of the Negro race. Indeed, the object is to be attained far less readily by the negative course—by coercion put upon those who resist it, than by the positive course—the calling forth of higher faculties in the race now so subjugated and ill-used. It is this method that we call the Auxiliary method ; it has been amply re- presented in other countries, and particularly in those which are Row more concerned than England is ; but we, who undertook to be the judges before the world upon this question, have hereto- fore, within our own shores, furnished no representation of that better method.
It has been represented in Africa by that state which of all others, is best suited to be a judge on behalf of the African. We speak on this subject with positive and personal knowledge. In Africa exists, and has existed for some time, a state composed of Negroes in a civilized condition, the Government administered by Negroes, and guided by a man of superior intelligence.. Hereto- fore the Negro race has produced a very few individual examples of cultivated intellect and clear-minded sagacity. Toussaint L'Ouverture had scarcely a companion in his movement. If literature or science can point to a few cultivated intellects among the Negro race, they cannot show the name of any single man who has yet been a leader. Amongst statesmen of the present day, there is but one with an unmistakeable dark skin, and that is President Roberts. So severe is the demand for his labours, that after he would have sought repose in private life, he was compelled by the exigencies of the Liberian Republic to return to his duties. Let us remember for a moment how that Republic was called into existence. Statesmen of America who shared the views of Washington and Jefferson, in holding back absolutely from any interference with the institutions of, the States severally, urged the wisdom of providing for the ulterior emancipation of the Negro race by prospective measures to be passed in any individual sate,
ed by the establishment of a colony on the coast of Africa, formed M. Negroes civilized in the school of America and replanted on their native continent. The colony, however, has not been able to rim alone in the competition with misgoverned, hapless Hayti ; mel some years since, the leading men of Liberia conceived what
rared to us at the time though we were debarred from discussing tehe most hopeful plan' ever'designedcflaovr madrchingaspmeediilly Wilber- force. object which animated alike Henry force. England has maintained a Negro colony on the coast of Africa' but_ it is administered by White men,—Sierra Leone, "The White Man's Grave." The place is colonized by captured Negroes, who seldom come to any good ; and is administered by English officials, whose fate has given the colony its nick-name. President Roberts conceived the idea of uniting Lffieria. and Sierra Leone under one Negro administration, with the joint protectorate of the United States and Great Britain. His plan involved the
original purpose with which Liberia was established—that is to say, the development of civilization, with all its intelligence, com- merce, protection of law, and independence for the Negro race in situ. We have never encountered a plan more hopefully designed to call forth such faculties as the Negro may possess for assuming a genuine equality with the White man in the political and social system of the world. We do not know by what influences Presi- dent Roberts was disappointed ; we only know the design was never carried out.
We also know that the Auxiliary method of Negro emancipa- tion has never until now been represented in this country at all; except, perhapa—and certainly we say it in no spirit of boast, for we have not suceeeded,—by our own journal and by some indi- vidual statesmen,—perhaps not half a dozen altogether. We now are able to welcome the first attempts at representing the auxiliary method by the English plan of a public institution. We allude to the African Aid Society. The objects of the affiliated institution are thus stated :—
" To develop the material resources of Africa, Madagascar, and the ad- jacent islands, and to promote the Christian civilization of the African races, by which means the society believes that the slave-trade will ulti- mately be annihilated ; that in carrying out this object the following be among the means employed :—The encouragement of the production of cot- ton, silk, indigo, sugar, &a., by the introduction of African or European skilled labour into those parts of the earth which are inhabited by the Afri- can race. The assistance of Africans willing to emigrate from Canada and other parts to our West Indian colonies, Liberia, Natal, and such other countries as may seem to offer a suitable field of labour. The formation of industrial missions, in harmony, where practicable, with the agency already established for the extension of Christianity in Africa. The supply (as oc- casion may require) of suitable mechanical and agricultural implements for the same. The procuring of samples of every kind of native produce, for the purpose of submitting the same to the mercantile and manufacturing communities of this country, with a view to the promotion of legitimate commerce. The encouragement and assistance of exploring expeditions into the interior of Africa and Madagascar."
The Chairman of the new Society is Lord Alfred Churchill; amongst its leading members are Lord Calthorpe, Sir Culling Eardrey, Mr. Joseph Fergusson, the Reverend Memo Thomas, Secretary of the Colonial Church and School Society, and Mr.. Lyons Macleod, late British Consul at Mozambique. It is im- possible not to notice here elements of the old Anti-Slavery party, and amongst the speakers at the meeting was Mr. Chamerovzove, the Secretary to the Anti-Slavery Association. Nor was the Anti-Slavery tone absent from many of the speeches which were delivered, especially by certain gentlemen whose complexion showed that they naturally had strong feelings on the subject. Here lies the danger in the course of the new Society ; but we be- lieve that its original leaders are quite alive to the opportunity which is before them, and that they are capable of choosing their path as well as any young Hercules that the world has yet seen. It rests entirely with them to determine whether they will merge themselves in the old aggressive Anti-Slavery combination, with its Coercive method; or whether they will fairly introduce to this country the Auxiliary method, which, on their own showing, has already achieved such promising results.
Previous page
