The Litchfield County post., 1826-09-05

for colonizing the people Of colour would
ask atthe hands Of the general government
And can any object be presented more ma
tiOnal in its character, or more intimately
concerned with /" the common defence and
general welfare of our country" than
the removal of the population in ques-
ton? ~ a.
/ will not touch on those high conside-
rations of morality, religion, humanity, and
justice, by which the measure is recon-
mended.. I win say nothing of the claims
of Africa, nor of the debt that is due to
those who are to be more Immediately af-
fected by the contemplated change. am
willing to view the subject wholly in a po-
Iitical point of view, and independently of
the high and enviable character it affords
us an opportunity of acquiring among the
nations of the earth. / see enough in its
effects on our internal prosperity, our NOR
ais, our politics, our individual worth, and
our national strength, to justify every ex-
penditure that can possibly be required.
Contracted indeed must be the views of
that statesman. who does not see in oar
colored population, abundant matter ofre-
proach as we'll as danger to our politicalin
Wilfully blind must he be, who
does not draw from the northern and south-
ern sections ofonr union, an inference un-
favorable to the value of slave labor. And
that man would be an anomaly in creation
who would venture to deny, that in war,
the population in question, must be a source
Of weakness, not less appalling, than a
scanty revenue, an undisciplined army, or
an unfortifed coast. Is not its removal
then a subject ofdeep interest, and ofgen-|
eral concern? Or can any expenditure for
its accomplishment, within the compass of
our means, be considered disproportionatet
To- its importance? So
But question as important as it is DELI
cate, presents itself, in relation to the pow
ers of the general government. And deep
and sincere as is the interest have ever
felt on this ,subject-great and unlimited as
are the personal sacrifices / am willing to
make in relation to it, feel no hesitation
in saying, that rather than sec the general
transcend its authority; rath-
err than see it go single inch beyond the
powers with which it is invested, would
abandon the whole scheme, and rest con-
tented in the wretched condition in which
[ find my country involved. But on this
subject / have no apprehensions. Thel
Colonization Society has distinctly desig-
mated the extent to which it seeks the in
terposition Of the government Of the coun-
try. 1t asks only the provisions of aplace
and government for the reception of such
persons of color, as are already free, and
such Others as the humanity of Individuals
and the laacs of the different states may
hereafter iber0te, the necessary encour-1
agementto, and the necessary facilities for,
as occasion may require
it, pecuniary AIDS to the states, for effect
ing IN such modes as they may choose, the
cztsncti0n of Slavery soithin their respect
ive limits. Such and such only is the inc
reference. asked. d Nor have lever met
with an individual Of respectable standing
who wished for more: or who claimed for
the government, an authority to destroy or
in any manner to weaken rights recognized
and sanctioned by the constitution Of the
country. . @ ...a
Is there any thing then in the proposed
co-operation4 of thep national government
in the smallest degree with the
of the constitution? If there
could be any doubt, whether a government
invested with all the powers Of war and
peace, and specially authorized to make
treaties, could acquire foreign territory, it
must have been removed in relation to
our own, by the undisputed purchase Of
Louisiana and Florida. These acquisitions
IL "a made by the treaty making power,and
with the money ofsthe nation, on the ground
that they would ssiinsure the internartran-
guilty land promote the common defence
and the general welfare of the country
And take ii for granted, that where the
same objects shall require the acquisition'o
other territories, whether on the coast Of
Africa or of America, it may be effected
under the same authority and BY the same
means; and the territory. being procured,
the most sceptical will not pretend todoubt
| the right Of Congress !" to provide, q in the
Language Of the constitution, . the needful
rules and regulations" for its governments
and protection. u is~ .8sS.
! But whence, it may be asked, is derived
! the proposed authority, 'sto afford encour-
agement to, and facilities for, emigration, y
and tpecuniary aids to the states for Of
fecting the extinction of slavery within
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