THE SLAVE QUESTION. 
419 
to some more feasible way of attaining the desired 
end. No method can be more free from the charge of 
Quixotism than that of “calling forth the resources of 
the country.” But this must be done on broad and 
rational principles. The Philanthropist may in his 
closet, sketch out brilliant schemes for the improvement 
of Africa, and expect her sons to tread the paths he 
has traced for them. He will be disappointed, if their 
progress keep not pace with his sanguine anticipations. 
As, however, the lofty soarings of philosophy are far 
above the narrow conceptions of the untutored mind, 
so is civilized man but ill calculated to enter into the 
feelings, and except by the most patient care to 
extend the views of him, on whom the light of reason 
has not yet dawned. The principal difficulty will 
always be that the enlarged and cultivated understand- 
ing cannot be satisfied with the first vacillating 
advances of a mind in its infancy. 
The man of cold climes legislates for him of a torrid 
zone, without knowing his requirements, and the first 
thing done is to unhinge the social system, to recon- 
struct it on his own incompatible ideas. It is not, 
however, by the introduction of our uncongenial habits 
and customs, nor by partially encouraging commerce, 
nor by the establishment of a few schools, nor by the 
nominal conversion to Christianity of all the Africans 
whom we have been able to rescue from slavery, that 
this can be effected, but by calling forth their mental 
resources. 
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