Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1819-08-10
POLITICAL.
COLONIZATION.


lie society for the colonization Of Tire free
people of colour" came into my hands
for few moments. Before | had time
10 read more titan few pages. il Was
Withdrawn by. the owner and, until
few days ago, | could not obtain "a sight
OF II again, though extremely DESTROYS 10
do SO. For though, Us have said, had
u IN my possession for few minutes Oh
ly, yet saw enough in what | read OF
your letter To the secretary of the society,
to induce me 10 endeavor TO procure a
copy OF II, IN order to give it thorough
peruSal.
This opportunity / have at length oh
fained.-And | iiave rot failed te sead
your letter again, and again. with that
deep interest which the subject of il IN
spires, and that respect and admiration
which the penetrating genius and pro-
found understanding of the writer caunoi
fail 10 extor, from every impartial and
rejecting man in the Community who
reads ii. Never have seen fhe evils of
slavery IN our cnunry, aud the relations
OF The white Ia the coloured race, 40 ably
and torclby stated, as in this short bur
excellent letter. The feeling Of inieriorty
and irremediable degradation Of The man
OF colour, on the one hand, and the proud
sense OF superiority and disdain in The
whites on the other. which seems TO rem
der the idea of the two races eoeI. blending
together, or enjoying equal rights, i'm
possible; The effect of this state of things
on the morals Of both whites and blacks ::
It's effect on the cuitiUatioa OF The country !;
and The alarming danger of cheriShiMg az
on bsS0Hs a distinct nation, which can neuer
become Uca' pOrdted Nth us-nccessarily
hostile both from .feeiing and intereSt--ya-
pdty Increasing ia numbers and improving
IN nteihgence-iearning from us the arts
OF peace aud Uar-ihe Secret of lis own
strength and the talent OF directing IL =
these, and other circumstances of equally
Iearful Importance, are portrayed with a
force and melancholy truth Of colouring,
and detailed with avigor and elegance of
Language, umequaied in any thing that
have seen on the subject; and TO The We
rity of which The feelings of every think
| ing man, who has ever adveried 10 the
subject, can hardly fail painfully to re-
spoDd.
For this great and growing evil, you
IN common with the eminent persons al
The head OF the society, have come 10 the
conclusion that colonization is the only
remedy. And, indeed, SO great is the
evil, and So almost hopeless any other re-
medy, that if this scheme were al all
practicable, or could be brought 10 bear
by any assignabie effort oreNpenst, with
IN the ability Of the people ofihese United
States, would be among the first 10 lili
my feeble voice in its favour, and To offer
INV slender mite 10 its aid. But though
IN lie beginning of your letter YOU pro-
Tess your intention 10 show the usefulness
and pracficaJitty of this plan, permit me
to say that think YOU have succeeded in
proving Ills usefulness only. That colonies
may be founded on the African continent,
l think you hare indeed shown; but The
possibility of coioniZihg the mh0ie race, or
even that part of II which is free, YOU
appear MOTTO have doubted, and therefore
L do not discover that you have advanced
any arguments whatever on this all i'm
portant branch OF The subject.
lie who shall undertake 10 controvert
or correct The decisions and plans Of the
enlneni men OF The state, OH subject
vlially important 10 themselves, and the
society III which they live, and on which.
by reason OF their superiority of uuder.
standing, by their enlarged and liberal
edu5aiion, and iheir opportunities OF OBJ
tanning the best information, ihcy are be-
yond comparison, HE best fitted 10 ne.
cIde-lIe himself, without name or noie
IN tie community, of slender acquire
mehss and scaniy opportunities, ought
either 10 come prepared TO show that
some inflammation oi importance has es-
capped them, with such arguments TO
show that they are mistaken, as are per-
teciIy irrefragabis or else 10 consent TO
receive as the reward OF lis audaciiy the
shame and contempt he viii so richly
merit.
as IF, Il ,It
rs. permit me, sir, with last Difference TO
Tie members at lie society, and lie re-
speci which II is impossible Tor me moi 10
feel Tor The name and talents of Robert
GoodIoe Harper, for few moments, to
accept If. And II do indeed fail 10 SHOW
iba, This Scheme If Colonization, Tor The
purpose OF removing HE whoie roce, or
merely the free people If coior, is destitute
| If Udtne; why then must prepare myself
10 endure as may, the meriied contempt
must expect 10 receive, for my folly and
| presumption.
Turning 10 Seyberi's Statistics, find
That III the year 1910, according TO the
census then taken, the whole number of
slaves III the United States, was |, I0I 1864,
aud tie number of free persons Of colour
| 1885, 46, making together an aggregate
| 1887 $40, being considerably more than
sixth part OF The whole population.
| Now, taking first into view your idea of
The eventual emancipation Of the whole
race, and their consequent colonization,
| without which, you cannot consent 10
| emancipation al all, LET us see what would
he the resuIias 10 expense, aud The means
| necessary iO carry this plan INTO effect
| Seybefl says that The whole population
doubles III about %. ct years, aud the
! .layes III somewhat less than 20 years.
But tie Tree people Of colour have in-
creased at the very rapid rate Of, viz. from
| 1890 1900, tO more than lSj per cent