Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 19.djvu/142

 136 Southern Historical Society Papers.

the black man to be brought here and subjected to the discipline of slavery, tempered by Christianity and regulated by law. Verily, if there had been no other end of such a procedure this seeming sharp Providence of God would have been highly justified. AFRICA GAVE VIRGINIA A SAVAGE AND A SLAVE VIRGINIA GIVES BACK TO AFRICA A CITIZEN AND A CHRISTIAN ! *

It is encouraging to know that a prominent negro, the Methodist Bishop Turner, accepts this just conclusion. In an address delivered recently in Baltimore, he said : "I believe tnat Providence sanctioned slavery for a time in order to bring the negro in contact with the white race that he might absorb the white man's Christianity and civilization and [he added what is of infinite moment to the races] return to Africa and civilize his brethren there"

What a truly grand destiny this would be for the " Afro- American:"

The Virginian planter was essentially a transplanted Englishman in tastes and convictions, and emulated the amenities and the culture of the mother country. The ease with which wealth was acquired, in planting, fostered the habits of personal indulgence and generous expenditure into which he was led by hereditary characteristics. 30

Hardy sports and habitual exercise in the saddle intensified his self-reliance and instinct of command.

From the meeting of the first Assembly, in 1619, the colonists en- joyed all the privileges of Englishmen. They were loyal to the Crown. The inconveniences arising from their distance from the throne were counterbalanced by advantages resulting from the same distance and their wilderness home. The King could raise a rev- enue only through the House of Burgesses. They were ever jealous of infractions of their rights. To stimulate individual energy and extend individual liberty was paramountly their aim. A representa- tive government having been established, domestic organization and policy were soon moulded to meet substantially the wants of the peo- ple. Article VIII of the Assembly of 1623-' 24," declares that " the Governor shall not lay any taxes or ympositions upon the colony,

29 Slaughter's History of African Colonization, cited in " Virginia in Her Past Relation to Slavery," Virginia Historical Collections, Volume VI, pages 35-36.

"They live in the same neat Manner, dress after the same Modes, and behave themselves exactly as the Gentry in London ; most Families of any Note having a Coach, Chariot, Berlin or Chaise." Hugh Jones' Present State of Virginia, 1724, page 32.

31 Hening, volume I., page 124.