Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-05-02


EDITOR oLEvELAND LEADsR: AsyOu have sx.
pressed willingness to publish such informa.
tiOn Is I might desire to bring before the
public respecting tha uiusiOn in which am
engaged, and Is it seems necessary such a
statement should be made, / avail myself of
your offer,
From convictions which believe to be we'll
founded, am induced to regard the idea Of
purchasing territory in some cOngenial region
of Central or South America for the benefit Of
such free eolOrsd persons of Afrisan descent as
desire to find homes In that direction, as emil
nently wise and patriotic. Aud in letter
addressed to the Hon. +. P. Blair, Of Missouri,
which was published in the Appendix Of his
speech, offered to assist the movement when
ever thore was an opportunity of my doing
so.
The idea was suggested Of memoralizing
Congress on the subject, setting forth the claims
of the cOlOrsd people, on the ground of their
long suffering, and of the services which they
have rendered to the whites.
Such efforts would of course prove futile if
the policy of the present Administration is TO
hold sway, but with the view of q change to q
more humane policy on the part Of our govern
ment, l and others have proposed to visit
Central America with view Of reporting as to
the feasibility of the proposition as suggested
by the honorable gentleman to whom / have
referred.
In pursuing this course, it is perhaps unne.
e., II ha ,,I
cordial support of all to whom the subject has
been plesenied-unnecessar sary because it is iail
to presume there are fe 30 destitute of feel>
ing, or Of thought, as to wish to interpOse an
objection even if they could. Nevertheless it
may be both pleasant and prudent to observe,
that have had the cooperation Of the leading
journals generally where / have been-and
among them the Stai0smsn whose sympathy and
regard / have, am permitted to mention
the names Of Messrs. Bingham, Cameron, King,
Sumner, Wade, DOolttle, Fessenden, and other
leading men of the age
1t is my conviction, should such man az Mr..
Douglas be as successful a candidate for the
Presidency as he ia the favorite of filibustering
Young America, that the Island Of st. DOmin.
90 inclusive-that is Hayti and Dominica
would offer the most favorable Inducements to
colored men desiring to emigrate, and with
this view it may be shall be heard from prin-
cipally 10 that direction. The latter mention.
ed part of the Island is said to be thiRIy popu-
lated by race Of indolent muIattoes, of mixed
Spanish, and perhaps Indian blood. but in the
DAYS Of Columbus, and to this day, the country
is as rich a gold region as any part Of the
Spanish main. Hsytl, as is well known, is
ruled by the blacks, AMI no white man, not
even Judge Taney himself, has there any rights
that black men are bound to respect.
Please publish the annexed letter, and obligs
J. ID. HARRIS.
Hon. E. g. souRR, (fOrmer Charge D. AHairs,)
New York:
take the liberty to introduce to you Mr..
J, D. Harris, of Cleveland, Ohio, who has
shown me letters of high commendation from
many Of the most respectable citizens Of that
State. BE, and some others of his friends, are
anxious to visit Honduras and Central America
generally, with view of satisfying their own
minds as to adaptability for colonization by the
people Of their race.
IhaTe met with Mr. Harris before, and have
formed a high opinion of him from the report
Of others who are well acquainted with him, and
will be glad if you will give him all the infor-
nation necessary to guide him in making prep
aratiOns for his journey there. / believe his
visit will have an excellent effect upon the
minds of his own people if he should be able to
report favorably, and may be Of great advan-
tage to your own enterprise in that quarter by
supplying the population necessary to furnish
labor and create commerce upon the borders Of
the noble Bay of Fonseca. 1 am satisfied we
shall at some day not distant, have the aid Of
the Government in establishing our cOlored
men in that region, and the visit of Mr.. Harris
will prove foTerunner of numerous eolonizaS
ton. Yours Truly,
FRANK P. BLAIR, Jr.
Washington City, March l9, go.