That any good thing could come from such persons the slaves were doubtless slow to believe.  However, it is an undeniable fact, that since emancipation, kind treatment on the part of the masters, has never failed to excite gratitude in the negroes.  The planters understand fully how they may secure the attachment and confidence of their people.  A grateful and contented spirit certainly characterizes the negroes of Antigua.  They do not lightly esteem what they have got, and murmur because they have no more.  They do not complain of small wages, and strike for higher.  They do not grumble about their simple food and their coarse clothes, and flaunt about, saying ’freemen ought to live better.’  They do not become dissatisfied with their lowly, cane-thatched huts, and say we ought to have as good houses as massa.  They do not look with an evil eye upon the political privileges of the whites, and say we have the majority, and we’ll rule.  It is the common saying with them, when speaking of the inconveniences which they sometimes suffer, “Well, we must be satify and conten.”

FIFTEENTH PROPOSITION.—­The freed negroes of Antigua have proved that they are able to take care of themselves.  It is affirmed by the opponents of emancipation in the United States, that if the slaves were liberated, they could not take care of themselves.  Some of the reasons assigned for entertaining this view are—­1st, “The negro is naturally improvident.” 2d, “He is constitutionally indolent.” 3d, “Being of an inferior race, he is deficient in that shrewdness and management necessary to prevent his being imposed upon, and which are indispensable to enable him to conduct any business with success.” 4th, “All these natural defects have been aggravated by slavery.  The slave never provides for himself, but looks to his master for everything he needs.  So likewise he becomes increasingly averse to labor, by being driven to it daily, and flogged for neglecting it.  Furthermore, whatever of mind he had originally has been extinguished by slavery.”  Thus by nature and by habit the negro is utterly unqualified to take care of himself.  So much for theory; now for testimony.  First, what is the evidence with regard to the improvidence of the negroes?

“During slavery, the negroes squandered every cent of money they got, because they were sure of food and clothing.  Since their freedom, they have begun to cultivate habits of carefulness and economy".—­Mr. James Howell.

Facts—­1st.  The low wages of the laborers is proof of their providence.  Did they not observe the strictest economy, they could not live on fifty cents per week.

2d.  That they buy small parcels of land to cultivate, is proof of economy and foresight.  The planters have to resort to every means in their power to induce their laborers not to purchase land.

3d.  The Friendly Societies are an evidence of the same thing.  How can we account for the number of these societies, and for the large sums of money annually contributed in them?  And how is it that these societies have trebled, both in members and means since emancipation, if it be true that the negroes are thus improvident, and that freedom brings starvation?