The republic., 1851-02-20
From the Nashville Daily Journal.
Mail Steamships to Africa.

COLUMBIA, rep. b, 1901.
'sIt was the opinion of Mr.. Jefferson that the
United States had power to establish colonies for
the free blacks on the coast of Africa and ne dc.
sired its exercise. Chief Justice Marshall and Mr.
Madison concurred in this opinion. The PROPOSE
ton Of the committee does not, by any means, go
to this extent: II goes no further than recently
adopted and still existing operations the Govern
ment while 10 believed to rest upon far higher and
merely sectional considerations. The committee
have, therefore, refrainod from expressing any
views which might be considered favorable to the
peculiar interests either of the North or of the
South. The question Of slavery, now the cause of
20 deep an excitement il not, to any extent either
directly or indirectly involved. The Government
Of the United States, il is admitted all hands,
tho several States. Neither does the proposition
interfere ut all with the question Of emancipation
This s wholly beyond the jurisdiction of the Fed.
eral Government, and belongs exclusively to the
people Of the several States and to the individual
shareholders themselves. But the removal of the
free blacks TO the coast of Africa IL q measure in
which all sections and all interests are believed
to be equally concerned."-Nf Stanton's Report.
In former communication upon the subject Of
"the colonization of free blacks" promised to re-
cur to this subject again. for the purpose of show
ing how advantageous the colony of Liberia may
become to the South, in commercial point Of
view, and az market for our cotton manufactures.
II IL matter Of astonishmcnt to me that more in
terest has not been felt in subject of 80 much inn
portance ~ this. The able report of Mr. Stanton,
from which an extract is given above, il we'll cal
culated TO awaken public attention, exhibiting as it
does the advantages which must result from the
establishment Of line of mail steamships to the
western coast of Africa. This report should be in
the hands Of every southern man, and the facts set
forth in 1t should be attentivey considered The
increase in the free black population Of the south
ern State: 10 really alarming Virginia alone has
now, az 10 shown by the present census, near
600 free blacks. whilst in 1890 the whole free
black population Of the United States only
amounted TO 59,466. What 10 to be done sci1h TIE
hIuSk <nf ~. CS-x- l.
important question. The only way to get clear of
them, consistently with humanity, is by sending
them to Liberia, which IL country in al respects
suited to their wants. Northern countries are net
adapted TO the physical constitution of the negro,
and he can mover flourish in them. If confined to
high northern Atitudes they will decrease in num-
bers, and be reduced TO poverty, degradation, and
situated to their neceasities and If they ever
be elevated in the scale of being as to Be capable
Of governing themselves il is In that country only
Of success. Whilst they remain among the white
population Of this or any other country, they must
continue TO be degraded race. The two races can
not remain together, with any prospect of advan-
condition Of the free negroes at the North is proof
conclusive of the fact. II thus appears that the
Abolitionists, BY opposing the sending Of the free
blacks 70 Liberia, are not influenced by any mo
tives Of bensvolence towards the negro, but are
governed by blind fanaticism by some Of the
worst passions which corrode the heart Of man. II
being evident that we must devise some scheme to
get clear of the free black population which is be-
coming an incubus upon all the States, but more
especially upon the southern and western, the
question presents itself, can any reasonable
plan be suggested than the one indicated in the
report Of the Naval Committee, made by Mr.. Stan
toni The advantages which would result to this
country from An increase of our steam navy which
- one Of the prominent objects of the bill reported
BY Mr. stanton, Il 10 unnecessary for me to point
out. a. these have boen 90 elnborately and ably
set forth In the report itself The great object in
tne esaonsnment OF this line Of steamers is 10 In
crease our steam navy at the least expense and upon
the most judicious and economical plan. The bene-
hss which would result to the cause of colonization
are merely incidental Mr.. jefferson believed that
congress had the power to colonixe the free backs
and ne 10 known TO have been extremely jealous Of
'ne assumption ofPower BY the General Govern |