178 Miscellanies. 



the subject mentioned in the caption. Although it may not be strictly 

 within the plan of this Journal, still if viewed as a moral experiment 

 upon man, regarding a portion of his race, which, in the later cen- 

 turies, and more especially since the discovery of America, has been 

 oppressed and afflicted, almost beyond the examples of former ages, 

 this project certainly ought not to be excluded from our pages. That 

 the negro has a rational mind, is sufficient to entitle him to the con- 

 sideration of the benevolent and philanthropic in all countries, and 



t 



especially in those that claim the Christian name. 



We do not think it necessary to discuss, with our correspondent, 

 the various questions connected with the physical peculiarities of the 

 negro. We would at once throw the onus probandi upon those who 

 maintain, that he is a distinct and inferior variety of man : even if 

 that were, which never can be proved, it would be equally necessa- 

 ry to admit numerous other subdivisions in the human race, since 

 there are, even in Africa itself, many diversities almost equally stri- 

 king, as in the case of the negro. It is much more simple, and we 

 believe not less philosophical, to believe, that God has made of one 

 blood all nations that dwell upon the face of the earth. 



The colony in Liberia is an object of high intellectual and moral 

 interest ; and we hesitate not to say, that it has now arrived at such 

 a degree of maturity, and presents such proofs of permanency, that 

 it is high time to institute there, for the education of Africans, a sem- 

 inary of a higher order than common schools. Its mode and form 

 must be determined, by deliberate and wise consultation, among the 

 friends of Africa and Africans in this country; with the advice and 

 consent of the most enlightened and virtuous, and public-spirited 

 citizens of Liberia itself. We are persuaded, that if an effort were 

 extensively made, in this country, to obtain funds for the specific ob- 

 ject of creating a liberal seminary of education in Liberia, it would, if 

 prosecuted with vigor and perseverance, be successful, and we cannot 

 doubt, that such a seminary, wisely constituted and directed, would 

 prove a blessing, of incalculable value, to the infant colony of Libe- 

 ria, and to Africa itself. * 



We do not, therefore, feel that we are departing from the design 

 of this Journal, in proposing, in accordance with the wishes of our 

 correspondent, that efforts be made, as soon as a plan can be satis- 

 factorily devised and proper agents obtained, to raise funds for es- 

 tablishing in the colony of Liberia, in Africa,* a liberal seminary for 

 the education of African vouth. 



