The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-04-01
WASHINGTON, ID. Z.
For the National Era.
foopYRIeHr SECURED ACCORDING TO LAwI
UNCLE TOMS CABIN:
OR,
LIFE AMONG THE LQWLf.
BY MRS. II. B. STOWE.
CHAPTER XLII-Continued.

man, may be best eARresseu III 'o''0'
of his friends:
81 feel somewhat at loss, as to my future
course True, as YOU have said to me- | migh'
mingle in the circles of the whites, in this coun.
try. my shade of color is so slight and that OF
my wife and family scarce perceptible. Well;
perhaps, on sufferance, ! might. But, TO tell
YOU the truth, have no wish to.
"AIy sympathies are not for my fathers race,
hut for nv mothers. To him ! was no more
than fine dog or horse; to my poor heart
broken mother | was a child, and, though i
never saw her. after the cruel sale that sepa-
rated US, till she died, yet know she always
loved me dearly | know it by my own heart.
T3tn Z eiaioS OF ak s,.S S1scred,"of my own
early sufferlngs OF the distresses and s~Auss,oe
of nv 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, enslayed 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 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 d! 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 a condition of slavery.
Having gone through preparatory stage of
feebleness this republic has at last, become an
acknowledged nation on the face of the earth
acknowledged by both France and England.
There it is my wish to go, and find myself a
people.
II 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
abOlitOnist and colonizationist and have re-
ceived' some impressions, as distant spectator,
which could never have occurred to me as a
participation.
g grant that this Liberia may have subserv-
ed all sorts of purposes, by being played of, in
the hands of our Oppressors, against us. Doubt
less the scheme may have been used, in unjust
liable ways, as means of retarding our eman-
cipation. But the question to me is, Is there
not a God above all mans schemes! May He
not have overruled their designs, and founded
for us nation by them?
In 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, alhtake hold together,
with all our might and see what we can do
with this new enterprise, and the whole splen-
did continent of Africa opens before us and our
children. Our nation shall roll the tide of civili-
zation and Christianity along its shores, and
plant there mighty republics, that, growing
with the rapidity 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, 80 may God for
get me! But, what can do for them here
Can break their chains! No. not as an indi-
vdual; but let me go and form part of ma
ton, which shall have a voice in the counsels
of nations, and then we can speak. A nation
has right to argue, demonstrate, implore and
present the cause of its race which an indi-
yidual 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 a curse to her as to the
enslaved
" But, you will tell me, our race have equal
rights to mingle in the American Republic as
the lrlshman, 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 professed principles of human equal
lty We ought in particular, to be allowed
here. We have more than the rights of COM
mon men-we have the claim of an injured
race Tor reparation. But, then, do not rant
~ ! want a country, nation, Of my own.
'nlnk that the African race has peculiarities,
yet TO be unfolded in the light of civilization
ana Christianity, which, if not the same with
those 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 clements
were well adapted but, as a Christian, look
Tor another era to arise. On its borders trust
we stand and the throes that now conyulse
the nations are, to my hope, but the birth-pangs
oil an hour OF universal peace and brotherhood.
trust that the development of Africa is 10
be essentially Christian one IL not domi.
nant and commanding race, they are ut least
an ahectonate, magnanImous, and forgiying
one. Having been called in the furnace of in.
justice aud oppression they have need to bind
closer 10 their hearts that sublime doctrine of
Iove and forgiveness, through which alone they
are to conquer, which it IL to be their mission
10 spread over the continent Of Africa.
-" In myself confess am feeble for this ::
iuli half the blood in my veins is the hot and
nss,y Saxon but have an eloquent preacher
VI The Gospel ever by my side in the person of
y .oeautful wife. When wander, her gentler
spirit ever restores me, and keeps before nv
80 80 "e christian calling and mission of our
Chez, na Christian patriot, as a teacher Of
INV gIo.;N ! 90 to my eouniry-my chosen,
7 so s'o,;ous Africa! And to her, in my heart,
n,onL"a apply those splendid words Of
prophecy Whereas thou has been ior,aken
ana hated so that no man went through thee !:
wlli make thee an eternal excellence n low
oi many generations ~
fon will call me an enthusiast-vo, w;,,
tell me that have not well considered what /
am Undertaking But have considered and
Limited the cost, go to Liderio. not a. 20 AN
0yHah Oh romance, but as 70 fsH of ,royI /