tions.'"

"Underground R.R. Return Trains.--The 'Cleveland Plaindealer' states
that every steamboat arriving at that place brings back from Canada
families of negroes, who have formerly fled to the Provinces from
the States. They are principally from Canada West. They describe the
life and condition of the blacks in Canada as miserable in the
extreme. The West is, therefore, likely to have large accessions to
its colored population. The Canada folks do not want them, and have
shown a disposition in their Parliament, and otherwise, to
discourage their coming to, or remaining in the Provinces. In some
instances, the question of ejecting those now resident there, has
been discussed. Our Western States will be likely to experience a
similar attack of the _black vomito_, when they shall have become
satisfied with this peculiar Southern luxury. In some localities the
superabundant free negro population has already become a burden,
while in others they are under severe restrictions, which amount
almost to an exclusion from the limits of the state.

"Should this exodus from Canada continue to any great extent, it
would throw such a burden upon those states which have adopted the
most liberal policy towards the negro, that it would occasion a
reaction in the public sentiment which would compel them to abandon
their abolition doctrine and practice, for their own
self-protection. We should then hear of fewer attempts to abduct
slaves from the slave-holding states; and abolitionists would be
content to allow slaves to remain under the care and protection of
their masters. Even though at heart sympathizing with the oppressed
and task-worn negro, and yearning towards him with all the love of
the professed philanthropist, he would still be permitted to toil
and bleed; for now that the route to Canada has been closed, there
is no alternative but to take them to their own bosoms."

Compare with this the condition of the free blacks in South Carolina.
The amount of property held by them is $1,600,000; their annual taxes,
$27,000; and the free blacks own slaves to the amount of $300,000 in
value.

The above statements teach us that any attempts to force the Southern
slaves away from their present relation, are in violation of the laws of
Providence concerning them. If they become free in a natural way, and
can provide fo