The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-02-10
For the Jeflersonian Democrat.
Colonizing the Negroes.

Mn FpIToR-Sir IL observed with
Measure IN Gov. Dennison's Inaugural Adj
dress, a suggestion relative to furnishing
future home for tho colorcd population.
This subject has occupied my thoughts at
various times, for more than quarter OF a
century past. | bronchod tho subject at
tho formation of the Geauga County Anti
Slavery Society, twonty-six years ago the
present winter; but it was strenuously op-
nosod By some of my Ant-Slavery friends at
that time. as a project calculated to keep
up a wicked PREJUDICE against tho colored
people. thought differently then, and do
still think it should be one Of tho objects
of the enemies of Slavery to have place
provided where the negro population may
settle by themselves, and enjoy NIL tho rights
that belong to citizens. Not that | would
have them kept deprived of these rights,
oven among US, but am ready to lend my
influence, as far as that will go. to enfran-
chse them, even in our own States. But.
b,licying as I do that thoy would be far
better rff in separate community than
mixed in with tho white population, would
wish to favor, in part at loast, the Governors
suggestion. But do not soc tho necessity
CT going to South or Central America to
procure such a location, when wo have
plenty of room within our own borders.
That portion Of country lying between
3S deg. north latitude Oh tho north, tho
principal range of the Rocky Mountains on
the east, tho Mexican possessions on the
south, and California on tho west and south
west, is nearly destitute Of white inhabitants,
is parallel In latitude with the southern
parts Of Virginia. kontucky and Missouri.
with tho whole of North and South Carolina,
Tennessee and Arkansas, and tho northern
parts of Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi,
Louisiana and Texas, and tho south part Of
California, must bo climate sufficiently
warm for all practical purposes. 1t is more
than three timcs as largo rs Ohio, and, with
proper cultivation would sustain from six to
eight millions of inhabitants. Tho negro
population of tho United States at this time,
probably numbers between four and FIVE
millions, and is increasing in about the
samo ratio as tho rest of mankind, or per-
haps little faster, so that the territory
spoken of above is none too large to DO ap-
propriated for that purpose, and large enough
for many years tn come, it oil tho slaves be-
como free, which expect in tho good Prov.
dence of God. will be tho case. For tho
Irrepressible Conflict will not ceuse trust
till every slave in our land and the world is
emancipa,cd, and tho Impending Crieis is
nca- at hand. Let this portion of country
be set apart for tho colored people let u
portion of it DO purchased of its present
! owncrs. be surveyed and n quarter section
be given to every cOlored man or hcad of
a colored family who will reside on it for
five years; lot tho long delayed Pacific
Railroad DO built with O branch to tho
North and to this South and we shall SEQ u
happy, industrious colorcd community grow
ing up, which in tine will not be inferior to
its white noghbcrs. But none of these wiso
or righteous measures can bo entered upon
while tho present Anti Republican. Anti
Democratic. Pro-Slnvory party remains in
power. Aud now. Mr.. Editor, what are the
advantages TO be gained: By colonzing tho
coored population of our country from
among tho whites, and in community Of
hi own color. no will lose his sense of
degradation, which he always feels when
among tho whites. EIe will fool that he is
man. Hlo will act like man. Ho will i'm
provo his intellectual as well rs moral facul-
iios, and he will be a man. He will use his
religious and political rights for tho benefit
Of tho community, for he will feel that il
will be of some benefit. Tho whites will be
benefited by the removal OF race of men
from among them, which they arc in the
habit o! considering inferior, and over whom
they often fee. disposition to domincor
the oppornity for amalgamation will be
Icssehod, and all will DO better and happier
for the change. o. MINER,
MUNSoN, Jan. &c, 1860.