The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-12-29

BY PRANK P. BLAIR, JUN, OF MISSOURI.
The city which has led the march of civiliza-
ton in the Great West, whose power and splen-
dor-the growth of little more than one genera
ton-rivals the matured glories which ages have
contributed TO others, is most fitted to lead in
enterprise intended to impart to the whole con-
tinent the principles upon which her own pros
perity rests. The 6rst-born of the ordinance of
1877, she viii be recreant to her own origin If
she shall fail to claim universal empire for the
principle 10 which she owes her pre-eminence.
That magma chdrfd, conceived by the mind and
heart OF Mr.. jefferson, to you in the rights
which he proclaimed to belong TO all, In the i'm
mortal declaration which asserted our liberties,
has opened 10 you a boundless career of opu-
lence and glory; and come with confidence to
invoke your aid for the plan by which he sought
to give to slI the same noble inheritance which
he secured to you.
When the great declaration of our rights was
proclaimed, there existed amongst us an institu-
ton anomalous and inconsistent with its great
truths, and with the form and spirit of the Gov
eminent framed upon>t It is well known
that not only jefferson, but all the great men of
that day, sought by every means to eradicate
this evil The plan by which Jefferson desired
10 give practical and universal effect to the true
principles Of our Government, aud root out that
whole, is contained in the following brief and
pregnant sentences. In a letter to Mr.. Sparks,
he says:
The second object aud the most interesting to US as
coming home physical and moral characters
happiness and saeoiy provide asylum which
can b. degrees sed the whole Of popuatoa the
groesj amoug and establish them under pat
roe and protection, separate free, and independent
people IN country and climate friendly 70 human Life
and happiness"
Speaking of proposition similar in many re-
spects, urged by him upon the Legislature of his
nstiye State, he says:
has hovc-er found that the public mind would
not ~ bear tie pro.nsitoh nor will even at this day
yet le day far distant when bear and adopt
II worse w.. follow. Nothing more certainly written
IA &c book q s'a ttn that these people che negroes) are
% be lee less certain that the races equally
free clunat i've tie Government. Nature habit
opnia tyo drawn indeibie lines Of distinction between
then D. IS s IL power 10 direct the process OF
eipat sud des1I tIo and ia such degree the
eva " wear on sebly and their place be, Tari pdssi
hled up by free white hborers II, the contrary
pr+ct he'd up We should look IN vain for an example
H. tra spanish deportation Detection Of the MOors''
In letter to Mr.. Coles, he said:
Yet The hour Of emancipation advancing in the march
Of tui- II CN oHas ald whether brought by the gen
~ F. iEgo, eXc4- and conducted by the power Of our
presit cbcny, once stationed permanently within
comfy aud Offering asylum and arms the Oppressed
lea @! oar history Lot yot tarnod over"
The tine has come to begin the movement for
emancipation, to be accomplished by " the gen.
erous energies of our own minds, rather than
through tESt other process the contemplation of
which fills US with horror and alarm. Every
nation that has embraced Slavery has persisted
under the intOlerable burden-perished either by
violence or the poison with which it taints and
corrgpts society. Already the virus has pene-
tratsd, and is spreading through the veins of this
nation; and unless speedy relief is found, We
shall be fatally infected. 1t is admitted 10y all
TO be the cause of the deep and bitter feud which
threatens to rend US into sections, and destroy
the Confederacy; and yet no remedy is proposed,
no solution limited at, except TO let il alone to
grow and tester and corrode. 1t is the cause of
most Of the ill-will between US and neighboring
nations. II is tainting the morals and corrupt
ing the blood Of our race. 1t has devastated the
soil and impoverished the mass of the people
where it exists. 1t has banished education be-
yond the reach of the poor, and eradicated from
the hearts of many ali respect and love for free
Institutions. Its demOraizing influence has
spread far beyond the confines of the States in
which it is recognised, and allied itself politically
with every element of evil to be found within the
wide limits Of the land. Its partisans seek openly
to Increase, extend, and perpetuate it, and we
are tod, even by those men who deplore these
things, that il must be left alone. | say that
measures mast be taken, by which the people of
= the slave States relieve themselves of it. or
we shah soon cease to exist as a free people
Already, since the Revolution, the slaves have
lion TO near hve millions; an increase in the
same proportion for the same length of time will
make their number fifty millions The country
will be incapable of sustaining such burden.
What propose is no measure of rashness or in
considerate haste, but the deliberate and ma
tured thought of the most far-seeing and saga
cious OF all our statesmen. IT is simply to pro-
vide IN asylum, in the congenal regions of the
American tropics, for such of our negroes as are
now free, or who hereafter may be enfranchised
by States or individuals, and who may choose
10 90 there, and to offer them such inducements
by securing them self-government, free home
steads, and protection against foreign or domes-
TIC molestation, as they will not and cannot re-
fuse TO accept
This proposition covers a wide field of discus
sion, and can Go no more than glance at few
OF the considerations which seem to recommend
II. 1t does not seem TO me that any objection
can be raised to the purchase of the necessary
territory by the Government. The power has
been so often exercised, and especially by those
who would be most likely to oppose the object
Of this purchase, that we may fairly consider
that their mouths are closed So also in regard
TO setting apart the country so purchased for the
occupation of particular race of people-that
has been done often, and is being done every
day. When the Indians began TO cucumber our
Northwestern and Southwestern Territories we
bought their old homes, purchased new homes
homes, and then paid them annuities to induce
them to remain there in peace and quiet These
Indians had been our enemies; the negroes have
always been our friends and dependents, spend
ing their lives in our service. Certainly we can
do for a friendly people what we have so often
done for our enemies. Those who believe that
the negroes are inferior race will rejoice in a
complete separation Of the races, and thus avoid
that contact which deteriorates our own; nor is
il possible for those who think differently to op-
pose the opening Of new regions where the ne
groes shall be invited to 60 and take up free
bomesteads and enjoy free government under the
protection of the United States AS well might
the friends of the free white laborers object Il
the acquisition of new CALIFORNIA;, for their oc-
cupation and employment. It is clear that the
two races cannot OCCUPY the same States with
oUt mutual injury. One race will intlict either
social or legal degradation upon the other By
long contact, their blood will become so mingled
that they viii merge into a mongrel race, inferior
10 either of the original types. This is one o
the most deplorable results to be apprehendet
from the Unnatural juxtaposition or rather com
mingling Of the races and this communicating
process, already far advanced, threatens to max,
US q race Of bybrids, and blot the beauty of tina
fair and glorious line, which we believe to be
IN form and soul, the noblest development o
mankind. This is no idle fear; it is presen
and appalling reai.ty-a muddy rivuiet suffice
to discolor the bright waters of a rivera SINAI
and dnsky cloud obscures the sun, and shuts on
his spieudors from the world The difIerenc,
between the two races, whilst it serves to iustif,
in the minds Of some the system of Slavery as i
exists here, makes that system in fact more in
jurious, because more difficult to eradicate
more intolerable in its forms, and more disgust
inn hrr isc ifohl To