New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-02-24
Color and Colonization.

To fht Editor o. Inc IT1Ouhe'
Though am not of the African race, being one
of the light colored ones of the American manu-.
facture, beg leave to offer few remarks, in re-
DIV to what you say under the heading African
Race" in The Tribune of the 18th January. l
trust you will not deny me this privilege
You say
"The coored population Of this country are subjected TO
evil influences from the ost opposite directions On oae
side the ehoding interest and s cOniederaes ncud
ing the bulk OF the mercantile and business classes OF
the Free States with their satellites the minimizing null
iude steadily represent and try 10 degrade the Blacks a.
divney ordained for menals and sers-creeied only TO
polish boots and pick cotton on The other side Iae ~
and speak OF the Blacks only sufferers and yeumsas
sninured and rsmped Race whose suoa Is Pu1sy
natural effect the Blacks, either way Is mischlevous-
the Phsnhrops teaching hem sefsasfscton the slave
holders incu eating despair
This is doubtless true to a certain extent 1t
is true that Shareholders teach the free colored
people despair in the most tangible way but the
greatest desire aud effort OF the PhilanthroPic
portion of TIE community is to inspire the colored
people to diligent use of the means to their ele
walton. This [ regard as right proper, praise.
worthy and judicious and is all that can be done
on their part. If the friends OF the Colored Race
do all they can in this way to assist us, there u
no reason to despair OF our elevation, which is
under the circumstances. Abolish the unjust laws
which prescribe US and give as the means Of edu-
cation, and we will reap the result. This Is all
that is needed. Give as this and we will go
the way Of all the earth" In the same way,
"the great mass" of the Colored People are not
satisfied TO remain sunk IN deoasement and
gross sensuality." No, Sir, they are not So This,
Sir. is a heavy and emphatic charge 70 bring
against us, charge which cannot be substantiated
by facts out Of the City OF New ork, and per
haps Philadelphia, and not even there, think.
What are these factsl Look at their many COM
Portable and respectable churches in all the cities
and villages in the Free States. Look at the con.
gregations of those churches. Look at the COM
Portable dwellings of many both in cities, villages
and country. Look at the many literary and other
worthy societies formed among US. See what pro-
portion attend those churches and societies, and
l am persuaded you cannot lay so heavy charge
against US.
That there are too many Of the coored people
degraded and sensual we will not dispute, but
that "tAe great mass" are so We deny respect.
fully and ever shall deny, until statistical proof
be given showing the contrary. The facts, Sir,
stand in the face of the charge, unless you count
on poverty and zen then the charge cannot be
sustained.
But you propose, as q remedy Tor the evil, that
we settle in a country by ourselves TO prove that
we are capable Of self government. Sir, object
20 this for two reasons: l. Because all who now
sincerely believe that we are capable OF sell gov
eminent need no such demonstration. ? Those
who doggedly disbelieve that we are, and who In,
sist upon 90 believing, are filed with hatred and
prejudice and therefore would not be convinced
by it. 49,,
He's Of the same opinion STILL
But | object to this project further, because 1t
would place the colored people in a comeatable
position. where they could be waTed upon by
their enemies. Those who desire TO get them out
Of the country would find in their isolated position
a good opportunity to accomplish their object. If
we remain scattered, they cannot get At as but
il we place ourselves IN Indians place We shall
receive Indians INSTRUMENTATION. We mean
10 obey the Injunction o, ST. Paul or rather try to
initiate bis example-to learn In whatsoever sit
uation we are in Herewith to be content = still
we are for improvement. JUSTICE.
Remarks.
Our correspondent begins by disclaiming
identity with the African Race, but soon
forgets this and fully Identifies himself with
that Race. We regret still more than this
that he proves his identity by evincing and
striving to confirm their worst and most
mischievous prejudices.
There are no laws in Massachusetts,
Vermont or New Hampshire, and we be-
heve none in Maine, which inhict political
or social disabilities on the African Race
as such, and yet their political and social
condition in those States is very inferior
and disagreeable one. No colored man is
admitted into general society or elevated to
any honorable Office in either of those
States, and none is likely to be. Laws can
do much, but Public Opinion is, in the long
run, stronger than they, and this does not