Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1826-10-20

such Is the plan, on the detalIS OIL WINCH
we now ask the practical Judgment OF
the north.
The annual increase of the colored
population of the country does not ex-
coed 1000; so that The annual remov-
al oil $4,000 would not only prevent the
increase, but would, in the course of a
very few years, leave not a vestige of
the population in question. Indeed,
the annual removal OF much smaller
number would answer every purpose /;
for, as The emigrants would, in the ma
ture of things, consist of the younger
and healthier and more productive clas-
ses, it is obvious that the rate of increase
OF those remaining behind, would be
very much diminished. | have no doubt,
indeed, that the most economical mode
of eil'eciing the object in contemplation,
would be 10 apply the means to be used,
as far as possible, to encourage the emf
grafton OF those but lately married.
But let US suppose, Tor the sake of ar
gument, that il is necessary to remove
| $4,000 every year, will it be commended
that such an effort would be too great
Tor government like ours! recollect
being somewhat startled last summer,
by hearing most estimable and intelli-
gent gentleman of New York say, that
the whole tonnage OF the United States
would not be sufficient for the removal
of the annual increase Of our colored
Innrni,to, In Ia irluec,iootion bou
ever, soon satisfied me, that instead OF
employing the whole tonnage of the
country, one twelfth of it, would be
more than suificient--that one hall, IN
TACT, of that which belonged to New
York alone, would furnish transportation
to $4,000 emigrants.
Nor is there any ground for alarm Oh
the score OF expense. Even In the
mode in which the colonigatlop society
is compelled to conduct its movements,
the cost oil transporting $4,000 individu-
ais could be only Sl,ooo,ooo,; and
there can be no doubt that under The au-
spices OF the government, and IN regu-
lar commercial interchange with Africa,
a system might be devised, in which
this item OF expenditure might be reduc-
ed to almost nothing.
Blu, supposing the expense TO be
$1,000, 900 or, you please 100000,
would it exceed the means of govern
nent, or be disproporioned to the OBJ
jecl TO be accomplished We gather
from sundry speeches during the last
session Of Congress, the; the government
will 10 the course OF few years have at
its OVID disposal an annual surplus oil
$4,000, 900. A fair proportion OF this
trust will be applied to the internal
improvements OF the country. And
education, too, will very probably (and
certainly very property command It's
share. But after providing most amply
for those two important interests, would
not enough, and more than enough, be
left to cover every expenditure that the
most jealous advocate for colop,Zing
the people OF color would ask at the
hands OF the general government And
can any object be presented more ma
tIona! 10 its character, or more intimate
| ly connected with the common defence
and general welfare of our country,
than the removal Of the population in
question?
l will n~ touch on those high cons-
derations OF morality, religion, humanity
and justice, by which the measure is re-
commended will say nothing OF the
claims OF Africa, nor the debt that is due
10 those who are to be more immediate
| ly affected by the contemplated change.
am willing to view the subject wholly
in political point of view, and indepsn-
IDENTITY OF the high and envlable charac-
ter, it affords US an opportunity OF &C
curing ameng the nations of the earth.
l see enough in its effects on our internal
prosperity, our morals, our politics, our
individual worth, and our national
strength, to justify every expenditure
that can possibly be required.
Contracted indeed must be the views
OF that statesman, who does not see in
our colored population, abundantsources
of corruption to our morals, and abun-
dan, matter Of reproach as we'll as dan.
ger TO our political institutions. Will
fully blind must he be, who does not
draw from the northern and southern
sections Of our Union, an inference un-
favorable to the value OF slave labor.
and that man would be an anomaly OF
creation, who would venture to deny,
;haI in war, the population IN question,
mus. be a source OF weakness, not less
appalling, than scanty revenue, an un-
disciplined army, or an unfori6ed coast.
Is not is removal, then, a subject OF
| nreai interesf and Of GENERAL cnncern