CHAP. XXV.] LAW AGAINST BLACK MECHANICS. 81 



It had previously been imagined that an impassable gulf 

 separated the two races ; but now it is proved that more than 

 half that space can, in a few generations, be successfully passed 

 over, and the humble negro of the coast of Guinea has shown 

 himself to be one of the most imitative and improvable of human 

 beings. Yet the experiment may still be defeated, not so much 

 by the fanaticism of abolitionists, or the prejudices of those slave^ 

 owners who are called perpetualists, who maintain that slavery 

 should be permanent, and that it is a blessing in itself to the negro, 

 but by the jealousy of an unscrupulous democracy invested with 

 political power. Of the imminent nature of this peril, I was never 

 fully aware, until I was startled by the publication of an act 

 passed by the Legislature of Georgia during my visit to that 

 state, December 27th, 1845. The following is the preamble 

 and one of the clauses : 



&quot; An act to prohibit colored mechanics and masons, being 

 slaves, or free persons of color, being mechanics or masons, from 

 making contracts for the erection of buildings, or for the repair 

 of buildings, and declaring the white person or persons directly 

 or indirectly contracting with or employing them, as well as the 

 master, employer, manager, or agent for said slave, or guardian 

 for said free person of color, authorizing or permitting the same, 

 guilty of a misdemeanor,&quot; and prescribing punishment for the 

 violation of this act. 



&quot;Section 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of 

 Representatives of the State of Georgia in General Assembly 

 met, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That 

 from and after the 1st day of February next, each and every 

 white person who shall hereafter contract or bargain with any 

 slave, mechanic, or mason, or free person of color, being a 

 mechanic or mason, shall be liable to be indicted for a mis 

 demeanor ; and, on conviction, to be fined, at the discretion of the 

 Court, not exceeding two hundred dollars.&quot; 



Then follows another clause imposing the like penalties on the 

 owners of slaves, or guardians of free persons of color, who au 

 thorize the contracts prohibited by this statute. 



I may first observe, in regard to this disgraceful law, which 



D* 



