The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-04-01
WASHINGTON, ID. Z.
For the National Era.
fcopyRreHr SECURED ACCORDING TO LAwl
UNCLE TOMS CABIN:
OR,
LIRE AMONG THE Low I.
ny MRS. n. 3. STOWE.
CHAPTER XLIl-Continued.

man, pC Dc's
of his friends:
81 feel somewhat at loss, as TO my i"ture .
course True, as you have said to me, l hlsh'
minge in the circles of the whites IN TINS couii,
try. my shade of color is so slight and that OF
nv wife and family scarce perceptible. wen;
perhaps, on sufferance, ! might But, 10 tcii
Won the truth. have no wish to-
GNIv sympathies are not for my fathers race,
but Cor nv mothers. To him | was no more
than a fine dog or horse; to my poor heart
broken mother | was child ;. and, though |
never saw her. after the cruel sale that sepa-
rated US, till she died, yet knoV she always
loved me dearly know it by my own heart.
when think of all she suffered, of my own
early sufferings Of the distresses and struggles
of my heroic wife, of my sister, sold in the New
Orleans ave-market-though hope to have
no unchristan sentiments, yet may be excus-
ed for saying, have no wish to pass for an
American, or to identify myself with them.
1T is with the oppressed, enslaved African
race that cast in my lot; and, if wished
anything, | would wish myself two shades
darker, rather than one lighter.
The desire and yearning of my soul is for
an African nationality. want people that
shall have tangible separate existence of its
own; and where am to look for it Not in
Hayti for in Hayti they had nothing to start
with A stream cannot rise above its fountain.
The race that formed the character of the Hay
items was worn-out, effemnate one and, of
course the subject race will be centuries in
rising to anything
where then, shall look 2 On the shores
of Africa see a republc-a republic formed
of picked men. who, by energy and self-educa-
ting force, have in many cases, individually,
raised themselves above condition of slavery.
Having gone through preparatory stage of
feebeness, this republic has at last become an
acknowledged nation on the face of the earth
acknowledged by both France and England.
There 1t Is my wish to 60, and find myself a
people
Il am aware now, that shall have you all
against me- but, before you strike, hear me.
During my stay in France, have followed up,
with intense interest, the history of my people
in America. have noted the struggle between
aboltionst and colonizationist and have re-
ceiyed' some impressions as distant spectator,
which could never have occurred to me as q
participation.
IL grant that this Liberia may have subserv-
ed all sorts of purposes, by being played of, in
the hands of our oppressOrs, against u.s. Doubt
less the scheme may have been used, in unjust
liable ways, as a means Of retarding our eman-
cipation. But the question to me is, Is there
not God above oil mans schemes May He
not have overruled their designs, and founded
for us nation by them?
"ln these days nation is born in day A
nation starts, now, with all the great problems
of republican life and civilization wrought out
to its hand; it has not to discover, but only to
apply. Let us, then, alktake hold together,
with all our might, and see what we can do
with tins new enterprise and the whole splen-
ana continent OF Africa opens before us and our
children Our nation shall roll the tide of civil
zanon and Christianity along its shores, and
plant there mighty republics, that growing
with the rapidly Of tropical vegetation shall
be Tor all coming ages.
DO you say that am deserving my enslaved
brethren! think not If forget them one
hour, one moment of my life, no may God for
get me! But, what can do for them here |?
Can break their chains! No. not ss an ind-
ydual but let me go and form part of a ma
ton, which shall have voice in the cOunsels
OF nations, and then we can speak. nation
has right to argue remonstrate implore, and
present the cause of its race, which an indi-
ydual has not
" If Europe ever becomes grand council Of
free nations-as trust in God it will-if there
serfdom and all unjust and oppressive social
inequalities are done away; and if they, as
France and England have done, acknowledge
our position, then in the great Congress of
Nations We will make our appeal, and present
the cause of our enslaved and suffering race
and it cannot be that free, enlightened America
will not then desire to wipe from her escutcheon
that bar sinister which disgraces her among
nations, and Is as truly curse to her as to the
enslayed
But, you will tell me, our race have equal
rights to mngle in the American Republic rs
the lrishman the German, the Swede. Grant
ed, they have We ought to be free to meet
and mingle-to rise by our individual worth
without any consideration Of caste OF color
and they who deny us this right are false to
their own protested principles of human equal
ity We ought in particular, to be allowed
here We have more than the rights of CON-
mon men-Sa have the claim Of an injured
race ior reparaton But, then, I do moi uant
~ J want country, a nation, of nv own. I
'hink that the African race has peculisrities,
yet 70 be unfolded in the light OF civilization
ana Christianity, which, if not the same with
'hose OF the Anglo-Saxon, may prove to be.
morally, OF even higher type
10 the Anglo-Saxon race has been intrust.
ed the destinies of the world, during its pioneer
period OF struggle and conflict. To that mis-
son its stern, inhexible, energetic elements
were we'll adapted but, as a Christian. look
Tor another era to arise On its borders I trust
we stand; and the throcs that now convulse
the nations are, to my hope, but the birth-panps
OF an hour of universal peace and brotherhood
trust that the development of Africa is 10
be essentially Christian one IL not dom;.
nant and commanding race, they are ut least
an affectionate, magnanimous and forgiying
one Having been called in the furnace Of in.
justice and oppression, they have need to bind
Closer to their hearts that sublime doctrine of
love and forgiveness, through which alone they
are 10 conquer which it is to be their mission
" spread over the continent Of Africa.
In myself | confess | am feeble for this
,ui hall the blood in my veins is the hot and
"'.,y Saxon but have an eloquent preacher
ue gospel ever by my side. in the person OF
10y neaut'iul wife. When wander, her gentlcr
epos " a., ever r. restores me, and keeps before. my
rsce we christian calling and mission Of our
Cbr;.,;a ~ a Christian patriot, as teacher Of
nv gIor;"'y , 60 to my country-my chosen,
i"y s'oIiouS Africa! And to her, in nv heart
nronh"an nes apply those splendid words OF
and whereas thou has been forsaken
wi, I"1u; NO mat no man went through thee
81 W." ,aa make thee an eternal excellence, a joy
Of many generations, I" ~
tall &c, nou wal call me an enthusiast-you will
'e'i me that | have not well considsrad whs, /
c rm Undertaking, But have considered. and
slva;s .ne cost 80 to Liberia. not as 70 an
''''''n o. romance, but Us 70 a field Of rorI