The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-05-29

the extent oil Its power 1t mas sought 10 pro-
tect the rights and wishes of the actual people
t in the Territory.
Sir, this Company has violated in no respect
the Constitution or laws of the land not in the
severest letter the slightest spirit But every
other imputation is equally baseless 1t is not true
as the Senator from Illinois has alleged, in order
in some way to compromise the Company, that it
was informed before the public of the date fixed
for the election of the Legislature. This state
ment is pronounced by the Secretary, in letter
now before me- can unqualified falsehood, not
having even the shadow of shade of truth for its
basis" 1t is not true that men have been hired
by the Company to go to Kansas; for every emf
grant, who has gone under its direction, has him.
sell provided the means for his journey OF course,
sir it is not true, as has been complained by the
Senator from South Carolina, with that proclivity
to error which marks all his utterances, that men
have been sent by the Company " with one uni
form gun, Sharpe's rife ;" for it has supplied no
arms of any kind to anybody. 1t is not true that
the Company has encouraged any fanatical ag-
gressiOn upon the people of Missouri; for it has
counseled order, peace, forbearance. 1t is not
true that the Company has chosen its emigrants
on account of their political opinions; for it has
asked no questions with regard to the opinions
of any whom it aids, and at this moment stands
ready to forward those from the South as well
as the North, while, in the Territory, all, from
; whatever quarter, admitted to equal en-
joyment of its tempting advantages. 1t is not
true that the Company has sent persons merely
to control elections, and not to remain in the Ter
rtory; for its whole action, and all its antcipa-
ton of pecunary profits, are founded on the hope
to stock the country with permanent settlers, by
T whose labor the capital of the Company shall be
made to yield its increase and by whose fixed
interest in the soil the welfare of all shall be pro-
NOTED.
Sir. it has not the honor of being an Abolition
| If ,barip off Abo-
litonists. Its President is retired citizen, OF
ample means and charitable life, who has taken
no part in the conflicts on Slavery, and has never
allowed his sympatthiis to be felt by Abolition
: 1iSts One OF lis Vice Presidents is gentleman
from Virginia, with family and friends there,
who has always opposed the Abolitionists. Its
generous Treasurer, who is now justly absorbed
by the objects of the Company, has always been
understood as ranging with his extensive connex-
| IONS by blood and marriage, on the side of that
quietism which submits to all the tyranny of the
Slave Power. Its Directors more conspic-
uous for wealth and science, than for any activ
ity against Slavery. Among these is an emf
nent lawyer of Massachusetts, Mr. Chapman
| personally known, doubtless, to some who hear
me-who has distinguished himself by austere
| conservatism, too natural to the atmosphere of
courts, which does not finch from the sup
port of the Fugitive Slave Bill. Ia recent
address at public meeting i'll Springfield, this
| gentleman thus speaks for himself and his asso-
| ciates:
shave been Director OF the Society from the first and
have kept myself well informed i'll regard TO lis proceed
ings not aware that any one in this community
ever suspected OF being Adolf onisi but have
been accused being Pro Slavery; and believe many
good people think am quite too conservative on that sub
ject. take this occasion TO say that all the plans and
proceedings OF the Society have met my approbaon and
assert that has done single act with which
can Justly 6nd fault, The name OF its President MI
Brown, OF Providence, and offs Treasurer Mr. Lawrence,
OF Boston, sufficient guaranty IN the estimation OF
teigrnt against lis being engaged in any lanaica
enterprise. Its stockholders composed of of all
political parties except Aboiionists am not that
has received the patronage OF that class of fellow
citizens and informed that of them di-approve
| o. ats proceedings"
The acts of the Company have been such as
might be expected from auspices thus severely
careful at all points. The secret, through which,
| with small means, it has been able to accomplish
so much, is, that induceaent to emigration, at
has gone forward and lias.ted c0pital IN adronce of
| population. According to the old immethOdica
system, this rule is reversed, and population has
been left to grope blindly, without the advan-
tage of fixed centres, with mills, schools, and
| churches-all calculated to soften the hardships
| of pioneer life--such have been established
| beforehand in Kansas. Here, sir is the secret of
the Emigrant Aid Company. BY this single prin-
ciple, which is practically applied for the first
| time in history, and which has the simplicity of
| genius, a business association at distance, with
| out large capital, has become a benefcent in
| strument of civilization exercising the functions
of various Societies, and in itself being Mission
airy Society, Bible Society, Tract Society, an
Education Society, and Society for the Diffu-
| sion of the Mechanic Arts would not claim
too much for this Company; but | doubt if, at
| this moment, there is any Society, which is so
completely philanthropc; and since its lead
| ing idea, like the light of candle from which
| other candles are lighted without number may
ha iaH tnHa init fol a i'm,
| portant aid to Human Progress. The lesson it
teaches cannot be forgotten, and hereafter, wher-
ever unsettled lands exist, intelligent capital will
lead the way, anticipating the wants of the pi-
| Oneer-nay, doing the very work of the original
| pieneer-while, amidst well-arranged harmonies
a new community will arise, to become, by its
| example, n more eloquent preacher than any s0li-
tary missionary In subordination to this essen
tial idea, is its humber machinery for the aid of
emigrants on their way, by combining parties so
that friends and neighbors might journey to-
gether; by purchasing tickets at Wholesale and
furnishing them to individuals at the actual cost ;
by providing for each party conductor familiar
with the road, and, through these simple means
promoting the economy, safety, and comfort of
the expedition. The number of emigrants it has
directly aided, even thus slightly, in their jour-
ney, has been infinitely exaggerated. From the
beginning of its operations down to the close of
the last autumn, all its attachments from Massa-
chusetts contained only thirteen hundred and
| twelve persons.
Such is the simple tale of the Emigrant Aid
Company. Sir, not even suspicion can Justly
touch it. But it must be made scapegoat.
This is the decree which has gone forth | was
hardly surprised at this outrage when it pro-
ceeded from the President, for, like Macbeth, he
is stepped far in, that returning were tedious
as go on but did not expect it from the Sena-
tor from Missouri, Mr.. GEYER, whom had
learned to respect for the general moderation of
his views, and the name he has won in an hon
Orable profession. Listening to him, | was sad
dened by the spectacle of the extent to which
Slavery viii sway candid mind to do in;vs-
tice. had any other interest been in question
that Senator would have scorned to join in i'm
parchment of such an association. His instincts
as a lawyer, a man of honor, and as a Senator,
would have forbidden but the Slave Power in
enforcing its behests, allows no hesitation, and
the Senator surrendered
In this vildication / content myself with a
statement of facts, rather than an argument 1t
might be urged that Missouri had organized a
propagandist emigration long before any from
Massachusetts, and you might be reminded of the
wolf in the fable which complained of the lamb
for disturbing the waters, when in fact the al
legged offender lower down on the stream
1t might be urged, also, that South Carolina has
lately entered upon similar system-while one
OF her chieftains, in raying recruits, has uncon-
Sclously attested to the cause in which he was
engaged, by exclaiming, in the words Of Satan
4 addressed to his wicked forces, Awake arise
or be forever falen!"* But the occasion needs
D no such defences. / put them aside. Not on the
example of Missouri or the example Of South
r Carolina, but on inherent rights, which no man
whether Senator or President, can Justly assail
d. II l.