The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1858-01-30
Another Plan for Colonizing Cen
trial America.

w q gave 1881 VIVA y AhNNfNHNN NhAAhffNHh
Of the Hon. Rli Thuyers scheme for Amer-
eanising Central America. Since the deliye-
~ Of his speech, the Hon. y J.. Blair IT, Of
~. Louis, the solitary Republican Represent
alive Ia Congress from slayoholdmg State,
has given TO tho country his views upon the
same topic preiaeed boy the following Reso-
luton
Rssolred, That a select committee, 10 con-
sist Of 80 members, be appointed by The
Speaker, with Instructions 10 inquire into the
eSpediency If providing for the acquisition Of
territory either In the Central OF South Amer
lean States, TO be eolonilod with eoloTcd per
sons from the United StRioa, who are now
] free, or Who may hereafter become free, and
who may be willing 10 settle In such terrific
~ ~ a dependency Of the United States,with
ample guarantees Of their personal and polit-
ioal rights.
The primary object Of this Resolution Ia,
In the vorda Of the author, ITO put Il out Of
the power Of any body Of men TO plant Slave
~ hnyw here on this Continent where Il does
not now exist, by taking measures TO give to
all such countries ns need IL, and especially to
the States Of Central America, the ability 10
sustain stable governments and free nstitu-
tons A secondary and no less important
object, il to prepare the way for tho gradual
extinction Of Slavery Ia States where il al
ready exists, by voluntary emancipation.
/ Il is assumed that the African race cannot
be essentially benefited by emancipation 40
long as they remain on the soil with their
former masters, or seck for homes IN the free
States. Some Of the more ardent abolition
lists will no doubt dissent from this doctrine
but VIC are disposed 70 think il Is in accord
ancc with sound philosophy aud the testimo-
ny Of history. II may be, for Aught We know,
that our aversion to the negro race Ia unrva-
'onablc- is all N-wieked prejudice, and would,
as somo say, disappear, as soon as the color
Of the skin ceased to DO n symbol of scrvi-
tude and social deg alationi though we can
not a. yet believe Il TO be 30. But whatever
name VIC give to this feeling. It cxiats gener-
/ ally, rs strong in the free as the Slnyeholding
States, and presents an insuperablc obstacle
to the aoeial elevation OF the eolored man Ia
level with his white ncighbors. Trant.
portation to Africa is too expensive TO be
thought Of rs practicable remedy for tho
evil The colonization Of the race in Central
Am erica, in some Of the West India Islands,
or Auuirnhrrr outside Of thcnprospeetiyo linn
is Of the Union, would seem to DO the only
feasible scheme for amcloratng very much
their present condition.
But this disposal Of the Negro race is in
opposition to strong and growing sentiment
| among anulhcrn Shareholders m TGv0F OF per-
petuntng aud extending their domestic in
stituiions.' Mexico, Central America, Cuba
and The xAllsl- Of the Amaznn- hawaii -l.Aa,,
counted by them as the possible adjuncts of
great sRvcholding confederation, which
may ultimately control tho political affairs Of
the Western continent, aud defy the opposi-
ton Of the rest OF the civilized world. On
this Seet unit the proposition involved In the
Resolution above, will receive but little favor
from that quarter. The representatives Of
the free States-wiii not be disposed to take
the lead, or TO act alone in q measure that
more Immediately concerns their ncighhors.
And not until Congress shall have from the
tAAN t'AtANH HlNNN W hANh ltllNthNllAN-
! tivCs rs Mr.. Blair, men OF commanding nhu-
cnec, who sympAthize with tho oppressed,
and recognize not only the injustice but the
impoliey Of Slavery, may we look for any
thing beyond Resolution and solitary
speech in behalf Of this new plan for ooloni,
King Central America with cmancipated
slaves, or the free people Of color. i. 4.....,v'
1t is however sign of better things that'a
single representative from Slavoholding
State has proposed and ably advocated in
| congress any practicable measure Tor the
gradual extinction Of slavery and the social
improvement of the African race. The CON
clusion of Mr.. Blair's speech, which follows,
l'gives4a glowing picture OF the results that
might be anticipated from the adoption Of his
proposed measure.
" But let me suppose Central America-
tempting in gold and every production ofthe
tropical soil TO stimulate exertion, with eli
mate innoxious only TO the black man---werc
opened up to him, under circumstances to adj
vance him in tho scale Of humanity, how long
before masters In oil the temperate slave
states would make compositions 20 liberate
them on terms that would ,idemnify them for
transportation Hundreds Of more bencvo
lent owners would, from sense of public
good and for conscience sake, by Wills, or by
deeds OF emancipation, make this delipeFanee
II the general government would take the
charge OF the deportation TO the region il
might acquire for them-a gradual and vol
untary emancipation by individuals, II not by !
States, would thus in time be accomplished.
hold that II is the duty of the nation 10 Of
fer this boon TO shareholders and 20 the slave
states TO enable them to have complete con
troll OF the subject, which is the source OF SO
rsneh anxiety and mischief II them.
What ehangc would soon be wrought in
the condition Of Maryland and Virginia, Ten
nesGee and Kentucky, and in nag own state
Missouri, ii smooth way were opened into |
the heart OF the tropics--prodiga Of wealth |
in the soil, In the mines and in the forests.
where the labor Of the robust and skillfri
freedman, assisted by the capital and in |
structien, and inspired by the energy Of en-
'erprising American merchants miners or
planters would start everything into life |