Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-02-21
MORNING LEADER.
Hon. F. P. Blair's Address on the Destiny
1880 of the Races

/
/ 1880 of the Races
To THE EDITOR OF TsE MORNING LEADER =
Presuming that the interest in the subject which
induced you to publish portion of the Address
of the Hon. Francis P Blair on the d Destiny
Of the Races would render few remarks il
relation thereto admissible, 1 respectfully offel
you the subjOined. sU
It must be admitted by every candid observer
of current events, that the anomalous condition
of the colored population of the United States
presents the most absorbing question that now
arrests the public attention It is question
that obtrudes itself into every political move
ment of importance throughout the country
1t is the staple of debate in the Halls of Con-
gress, as well as in most of the State LegisIa-
lures and whenever and wherever it arises, it
maintains its predominant characteristic as
disturbing and disorganizing element. And
what is the remedy usually offered for this state
Of things? The answer to this, as indicated
by National and State Legislation, may be briefly
stated in the two words: decreased oppression.
Whether we look to the national capitol, or to
the remote territory of Oregon; to sIaveholding
Virginia, OF to "free" and prosperous Ohio, the
prevailing voice seems to be in favor of aug
menting the already intolerable load of griev-
ances which the colored man is called to suffer
in this, his native land. Justice, simple Justice,
as means of solving the difficulty, seems never
TO be thought Of Propositions designed fur
ther to insult, harass and distress this people,
which if made in any other country against any
class would excite a howl of Indignation from
one end of this +" free " land to the other, are
here, at our doors, boldly and shamelessly pro-
claimed, with scarcely dissenting voice Even
the few friends of commanding position and
influence, who in time past manifested dspo-
sition to stand forth on the side of right, seem
now to have abandoned all hope of being able
to stem the fierce torrent of oppression that
sweeps over the land, thus leaving its unfortu-
nate victims to their fate. It appears, indeed,
that tlIOy have come TO regard this pitiless per-
secution of an unofending people as 'myste-
ry of iniquity," that must needs be left to the
cure of time, or to some miraculous interposition
of Divine Providence.
AT such time, then, and in the face of this
deadly onslaught of might upon weakness, of
wrong against right it is truly cheering to OBJ
serve that there is at least one great mind, even
in the house of the oppTessOr, that is alive to
its duty and its obligations and it is sincerely
to be hoped that its suggestions and its warn
ings will not be suffered to pass unheeded,
Mr.. Blair is evidently a true patriot, as
well as hearty phiIanthropist. Unlike many
who treat this subject, he has tlco objects
in view: The benefit Of the oppressed, as
ireH as of his opVressor. He does not pro-
pose to ''get rid of the colored race at any
cost to their well being; but, like true
friend of humanity, and of justice, while view
ing their separation as indispensable, he man
fully points out an honorable and noble means
of deliyerance, which could not fail to rebound
10 the highest interests of all concerned.
Let the country, then, pause in this mad ca
mama for increasing and perpetual
ing human woe-and ponder well this Address
of Mr.. Blair. 1t is worthy of the most earnest
attention of every statesman, every pstriot, ev-
cry Christian. Ard h-sPily it is a subject in
which all parts of the eo.s-t-y----I:i- ::.aA.
ested, and which all may entertain without be-
ing embarrassed by the trammels of sectional. |
ism or of partisan strife. North and South,
East and West, may here meet and treason to.
gether' in peace; and even the enemies of the
colored man may strike hands with his friends,
in the prospect of a separate nationality for the
objects Of his GUersiOa.
That, under the auspices of the Government
of the United States, with Of course the COLI
sent and cooperation of the individual States)
the scheme is eminently practicable, can scarce
ly admit of a doubt. That it would likewise,
under all the circumstances, be one of the most
benefcent undertakings that ever engaged the
attention of any Government, is equally true.
Then, indeed, would the United States become
what they now claim to be, but are not-"the
land Of the free, the home of the brave"
J. W.
CLEVELAND, Feb, 1859.