The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-01-21

Lord Ashburton-in his correspondence with this
Government while here. remarked that il seemed
to him that the design Of Providence, by facilitating
the intercourse between country and country, and
the rapid transmission of the mails from one con-
tinent TO another, was only the work of so much
time, and the time continually growing short
er, and that il seemed to be the design Of Provi-
dence, by this particular branch of advancement
in the arts. to enable Europe to pour forth her
population into the thinly Peoped country OF North
America The work Of spreading men over acres,
giving to each man BREADTH room, and space, espe
cially applied to the Anglo Saxon race-to spread
them here with a knowledge and love of liberty,
civil and religious, and capacity for its enjoy
ment, over the larges possible space. This is the
great idea OF emigration in our time. We cannot
stop it, and we ought not TO desire to stop it.
1t may have lis Inconvenience II brings
among us persons who not acquainted with
system They bring, perhaps, in too many
cases, too much of the notions in which they are
bred, to the country to which they come. This is
the affair OF generations but all evil ia suppressed
and done away with in the succeeding generation;
and among all foreigners, this side of and beyond
the Mississippi En- gshmen Irishmcn, French
men, Germans-they are all Americans like our
selves.
We cannot arrest this course Of things if we
would, and ought not to arrest it if we could. 1t
is in the order of things and the destiny of nations
which 10 prescribed by the providence of God, To
which must submit.
There is another sort Of emigration from the
western to the eastern hemisphere, and that is the
emigration Of the free colored race-wth some dc
gree of information, with some notions of religion
and free government, and some notions Of what
belongs to civilized life, from the United States.
back to the land of Ham, from which their fore
fathers were brought in chains and slavery.
| do not know and do not profess to foresee what
may happen in years to come, or in the genera
tons to come; but say with frankness and conf
dence that it appears to me that the emigration of
free blacks from this country to Africa is designed
rood.
If it be true-as believe it is without entering
into any physical argument upon the subject that
the emigration OF this race is not more practicable
than necessary, the result is that the separation Of
the two races, 60 as to enable each to pursue its
own ends, and institutions, and own functions
alone Is what humanity requires, under the same
influence of public liberty, and under the
light Of Christianity. This appears to me to be
both practicable and desirable. There mil
lion and half of persons in the United States Of
the African free, free. Well, is il a great
work to place them in condition and in a place
where they cannot only be free, but subject to no
feelings Of inferiority?r No man lourishea no man
grows in state Of conscious inferority, any more
than vegetable grows in the dark. He must
come out and feel his equality, enjoy the shining
sun in the heavens, like those around him, before
he feels that he is, i'll all respects a man. Zap
plause.l Ii appears that, by emigration it is not
impracticabe to send hundred thousand persona
to Africa in year Without violation of anal
ogies, which we have followed in other cases. in
pursuance OF commercial relations, is within our
Constitution, as part of our commercial arrange
ments. just as we enter into treaties and pass laws
for the suppression of the slave trade five look
to other instances shall sec how great may lie
the emigration of these individuals with slight
means from Government.
What has been the result within the last few
years OF emigration from Ireland? If the efforts Of
this society, sustained and encouraged by the Cen
eral Government, should in five years accomplish
half as much as has been accomplished in Ireland
by individual action and by slight governmental
aid, in the emigration of persons from Ireland the
whole work would be done One million and
half Of persons have become emigrants from Ire
land within very few years, by the actual diini-
mutton OF the population of Ireland, within three
four, or five years. They hither with a
wish to JOIN the white race; laboring men, in
the general well disposed they go into forests
AT hrst they are not well acquainted with our in
situations, but they gradually become acquainted
with them. Accustoming Themselves to the gene
raj tone OF society, they become more ind ustrious
the next goneration-thcy are Americans without
regard to origin. II to this extent Ireland ia
drained OF her popuiation-some few going TO
Canada aud to Australa-if her population is di-
minished one million and half within five years
what could we not do, when all see these people
coming hther to Join the whites, in sending Tree
black persons to Join other free black pcrsons ia
the country of their ancestors?
At this late period Of the evening il is not my
intention to pursue these remarks. | concur en-
hrely in the views suggested in both resolutions
wish prosperity TO this institution. wish TO see
done that which most COMFORTS with the interests
and character, and improvement OF all those per-
sons OF color who are free and who choose 10 90 10
a country Of their think that il is for their
interest," and the interest Of the country itself cs-
pecially for the NORTH will say nothing of the
South, with which am not 50 much acquainted
but believe that il is right and expcdient TO fol-
low the example Of the patriarchs, and say 10 our
black fellow citizens Take the right and we will
take the left. Let US be harmonious and wish
each other well, and let ne do all can for the
happiness aud prosperity of ALL and trust to God
that in the land Of your fathers you may be hap
pier than you are here; and when you shall have
left us you will not be less happy than if you had
remained among Us"
The honorable gentleman frequently intor-
rupted by applause during the delivery of his re-
marks, of which the above is bat the substance
Mr.. Webster invited other gentlemen to address
the meeting, but they declined.
The resolution Of the Hon. Mr.. Stanton and that
OF the Rev. Mr.. Slaughter were then unanimously
agreed TO; and. at half past nine O'Clock, the
ciey adjourned.