The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-11-28

We published several days ago the memorial
which the Kentucky Colonization Society recently
presented TO the General Assembly, but have not
heretofore had room to make any editorial COM
ments upon II. The memorial asks for appro-
priation OF hive thousand dollars per year. for 1--WE
years, TO aid in Transporting from Kentucky to
LIBERIA Tree negroes OF such ages and under such
conditions, as the Legislature may prescribe.
What shall be done with the free ne gro popula-
ton, Is question which has recently attracted the
earnest attention OF several OF our sister States.
both South and North, aud which must inevitably
be soon recognised very important question
by all the States in which any considerable por-
ton OF that population exists. As body they add
no strength and afford advantage to any com
munty; and in the saveholding States their per.
ncious influence upon The slaves makes the I'm q
positive and great evil. Kentucky has guarded
herself pretty WELL by the provisions of the
constitution, against any increase of this species
of population from emancipation or immigration;
but the natural increase Of the eight nine thou
sand who are already here, must rapidly swell the
number, unless it be lessened or kept down by de-
portation.
The Colonization Society have done and are now
doing all their will allow to carry free ne.
groes 10 Africa, and thus lessen their number at
nome, while at the same time they greatly i'm
prove the condition Of the transported negroes by
placing them in the only country and community
on earth where they can enjoy real liberty. The
question now is whether the State shall aid that So
clety IN their work by an appropriation of public
money. For ourselves, we do not believe that the
small amount asked for could be expended in any
way which would yield greater benefit to the
State. The whole sum would be mere trihe, COM
pared with the increased value of her slave proper
ty alone, if the contemplated object were once eff.
tected.
Several 0! the Older slaveholding States have al
ready adopted this policy Virginia appropriates
$4,000 per year to aid in sending her free negroes
to Africa. Maryland gives 8 10000 per year for
the same object. Even some Of the non savehold-
ing States, who have slaves to be injured by as
ISOLATION with free negroes, seem about to pursue
the same plan. Indiana is, wo believe, about To
provide, III the constitu ton which she franz
ing, that no negroes shall be permitted hereafter to
ilninlgrate into her territory, and that s. 10 600
shall be yearly appropriated towards removing to
Africa those who are already within her borders
Has Kentucky not as much need, at least as Indi-
ana, to get rid Of her free negro population
The sum asked for, if laid additional tax
upon the people Of the State, would require the
assessment of one fifth of cent upon every hun
dred dollars worth of taxable property Who
would complain even if such a tax should be laid1
Would the shareholders, who pay the great portion
OF the taxes, and whose slaves are injured by the
contact OF the evil which IL is proposed to remover
Would the poor laboring man, who finds in the
own work less valuable and less reputable? Nei-
Their OF these classes, think, any other con-
siderable class or number of the community would
complain at any such expenditure Of the public
funds. But ii the Legislature should make the an
preparation, we have doubt that the funds would
readily be found without any increase of taxes
This Is merely the pecuniary, or so to speak, the
pect has been often presented. 1t seems to us
that, even if there were present advanta ge in it,
II would still be worthy OF great State to contr-
butte something to aid scheme which we believe
is destined ultimately TO civilize and christianjze
e-fourth of the world and elevate IA whole race.