The republic., 1852-01-12
GoveTnor Hunt ON Sectional Dinerences and
Colonization.

sectional differences in relation to federal poll
tics, and on the question OF the colonization OF the
coored race. Ii ID TO be regretted that Governor
Hunt has thought fit to introduce uncaled for
opinion in regard to the extension OF slavery; the
appear Of it is certainly calculated 70 detract
from the weight and usefulness of observations
which in all other respects worthy OF the warm
est commentator:
"When we recur to the original design and true
theory of federal system, every candid mind
must acknowledge that there 10 no sufnclent
cause for keeping alive feelings OF aversion and
illwill between the members OF voluntary con
tcderacy, whose firm and perpetual union iorms
the only sure foundation for the freedom and hap
pinees Of the American people, and for the hopes
liberty throughout the globe. On calm survey OF
political conditions we perceive that the federal
authority was created for purposes OF general
and national character; for the conservation Of
common rights and the protection OF interests in
which all the States, however diversified their In
,ernal condition, have a joint and equal concern.
The Constitution having wisely lelt the States Tree
to regulate their domestic affairs the dissinilariy
in their local institutions furnishes no just ground
for mutual complaints and reproaches. These diff
fcrences Of social and municipal organization ex-
listed among the American colonies; they were
produced by causes over which the founders ol the
Constitution had control, and for which we,
their descendants, cannot be deemed responsible
They not sufficient to prevent Washington
and his compeers from blending diverse interests
by mutual concessions, and rearing the noblest
edihce of free government which the world has
"Why, then, should they be permitted to en-
bitter councils and weaken the political ties
which constitute one people! In the conduct
of our national concerns why should the progress
of the country be retarded and its best interests
forgotten in vain disputes upon questions which
each State must decide for itself, and over whlch
have no rightful controio
"In my reflections upon this subject, have not
permitted myself to doubt that the spirit OF dis
union which no concessions can appsase, and the
fanaticisim which evil continually and luxu-
rates in factous strife, will exhaust themselves In
the madness of their manifestations, without Sc
riously cndangering the stability OF our national
institutions / adhere to the conviction expressed
in my last annual communication, that the great
body of the people, as well in our own State as In
every portion OF our widely extended confedcracy,
continue to cherish ardent attachment to the
Union that they desire TO the Constitution ad-
ministered in spirit of moderation and equal JUS
tce towards the rights Of all sections, and that they
will Indignantly ffown upon every attempt 10
ALLEVIATE any portion of our country from the rest,
or to ehfeeblc the sacred ties which now Ink to-
gether the various parts
1.-The position and ultimate destiny of the African
race on this continent is subject eminentiy wor-
Thy to engage the attention OF the humane and be-
nevolent The highest motives Of patriotism and
religion prompt US to operate IN all rational mea-
sures intended to improve their unfortunate condl-
ton But it is Of the first importance in consider
ing question Of this magnitude, surrounded by 30
many embarrassments, that we should discard the
passions and prejudces which are too ready 10
tsurp The place Of common sense; that the spirit
of faction should yield to the higher sentiments OF
pure and generous philanthropy and that IN
this, in the ordinary concerns OF ife we seek ior
n plan having some practical connexion with the
object of efforts. We to inquire not mere
y what may be desirable, but, in view Of the real-
ties around u.s. how much ia attainable and what
course Of action will produce the most benehclal
resulte The negro race was brought to this con-
tinont almost early as the white, and continued
to be imported for nearly two hundred years. II
ia of the revolving features in the worlds
lint rpr,n ner
the civilized nations participated in the slave trade
All of the thirteen colonies tolerated slavery within
their borders.
"The people of this State have furnished conclu-
proofs of their aversion to slavery and OF their
abiding conviction that ii is moral and political
evil, by abolishng it at home, and by their uni
form opposition to it's extension over the Tree ter
ritory acquired by the arms and treasure OF the
nation.
.'In the southern States of the Union, where the
slaves form so large part OF the population we
cannot expect that the institution will disappear IN
day generation. IL has become 100 oeePiy
rooted and too closely interviewer with social and
pecuniary interests to yield to sudden or violent
measures of reform. The progress OF amehorauon
must, in the nature of things, be gradual IL must
be i,f 20 the voluntary action of the people more
Immediately concerned, experience having shown
that we have more to hope from their own inherent
Of justice and policy, than from any inter
ference that may be proposed by misdirected phi
lanthropy, operating at great distance from lis
object. The anomalous position OF the free colored
population undoubtedly forms one OF the most se-
rious obstacles to the gradual liberation OF the
slaves. We cannot close our eyes to the fact that
although the free people OF color enjoy certain
degree Of liberty, they are commonly treated, both
in the free and slave States, as an inferior race,
and deprived of the social and political rights with
out which freedom is but an empty name Even
in our own State they arc excluded from inc lnos'
essential privileges OF citizenship. Deoarred rom
all participation in public employments, reJecteo
from most Of the institutions OF learning and re-
lgion, governed by laws which they have no share
in framing, having been denied the right Oh sui
frage by a vast popular majority, shut out from 30
cial intercourse, and condemned TO lille OF ser
Witty and drudgery, their condition amongst US is
deplorable in the extreme Any great Improve
nent of their condition, under circumstances 30
calculated to crush the spirit of manhood. seems
morally impossible.
"Tbc bighung effect of the inieriority TO which
they are subjected is seen in the fact that, while
every other class has rapidly increased, the coored
population OF this State has dwindled from 5O,O2I
in lS40 10 41 ,931 in 1850 result so remat kable
naturally excitcs apprehcnsons that the African,
like the Indian race. cannot permanently co-erlst
on the same soil with the whites, and that sepa-
ration is necessary TO prevent their ultimate ex-
tinction. However unjust the pervading prejudice
which affects the public sentiment toward the black
race may appear, its existence and its uniavoraoie
effect upon their welfare cannot be disputed. In
several States this anupathy ia displayed IN laws
prohibiting negroes from coming within their bor-
ders. The people OF Indiana adopted restriction
of that character last year by extraordinary ma
ioriy 10 ia evident that every scheme for the ele
vation of the African to position of equality and
foil citizenship in our country, must prove delu.
sve until pride and the OF superiority shall
have been extirpatcd from the human heart The IN
stncts ofnsture, too powerful TO be couneracted by
the renements of abstract reasoning, proclaim that
the two races must sooner or later be separated,
1.-THE American Colonization Society presents
the only organized agency which has contributed
TO accelerate this separation or produce pracucal
results beneficial TO the African race. This esso
citation formed many years ago by benevolent
citizens in different sections OF the country and has
for is objects To rescue the free coored people OF
the United States from their social and political
disadvantages, by placing them where they may en-
10y the blessings OF free government; to spread ci
vlization and religion throughout the continent OF
Africa to arrest and destroy the save trade, and
to afford sucb willing to liberate their
slaves asylum for their reception For the ac'
complishment of these noble designs a colony, com
posed OF free colored pcrsons emigrating vounta-
ry from this country, has been established in Ii
IBERIA, on the western coast OF Africa. For years
the enterprise encountered many obstacles, but
these have been overcome by perscvering efforts
careful cSaminati tion has convinced me of the lea
stihty and immense advantages OF the undertaking
and OF ts pre- eminent claims upon support
Under the auspices OF the society, nearly 10 0O0fr