Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1860-01-20

reconcile the Northern mind to the extension O
slavery in other directions. Moved by these con.
alterations, deem it my duty to recommend to
your careful and favorable consideration plan for
the colonization Of the free colored population Of
our country in Central or South America, under
the protection Of our General Government, brought
forward in the Congress If the United States BY o
distinguished member of that body from the State
of Missouri, with the view that, if the measure
shall meet your appreciation, you may memorialize
Congress in it's favor. The Substance Of this plau,
as subsequently presented in the q. 8: Senate, by
one of the Senator'S from Wisconsin, is, that our
Government shall by treaty with some Of the Cen
trial or South American governments to acquire
the rights and privileges Of settlement and OF cit
zenship for the benefit Of such persons Of color Of
African descent ~ may voluntarily desire to emf
CRATE from the United States and form themselves
| into II colony or colonies under the laws OF the
State or States to which they may emigrate, the
United States, in consideration of the commercial
advantages of free trade with such colony or colo
MES, making and securing the necessary and proper
engagements to maintain them in the enjoyment Of
the rights and privileges acquired by such treaty
or treaties" The colonization of this unfortunate
race in some country peculiarly adapted by climate
and production to their use and occupation, has
long been favor te scheme with large portion of
the people in all sections Of country, and until
time and experience had shown the operations Of
the society which proposed to colonize them in
their native country, to be. by reason Of the ex
pense, impracticable As q means for relieving our
country OF the vast numbers ofthese people among
us, that society received, as it Justly deserved,
great degree Of public favor. That the operations
OF that society have produced and will produce
great good to Africa, have no doubt; aud shall!
rejoice to its ability for usefulness largely
tended. But experience has shown it to be wholly
inefficient ~ means of removing from among US
this large and rapidly increasing population. Colo
nization in Central or South America, by means Of
the proximity of the proposed colonies, would be |
much less expensive, and therefore more effective
aud ii the General Government, supported by the |
several states should take the matter in hand with
earnestness aud zeal, 1t seems to me that we might
congratulate ourselves upon having done work
which would not only be productive Of great good
to ourselves, but also enable Us to commence the
payment OF that vast and accumulated debt we owe |
this wrOnged and unfortunate race, and which
would, perhaps, enable us to see the beginning Of
that most desirable end, when our land will be in
truth 'the land Of the free" as it has been and is
''the home Of the brave"
In conclusion, permit me to say that although
our political horizon is not unclouded, although
anger and jealousy have to some extent taken the
place of brotherly kindness and good will among
our people, although some uien occupying high po
siton under our Federal and in some Of our State
influenced BY pride and passion, utter
sentiments disloyal to our Union and others in like
high position, but governed by baser motives,
either openly or silently approve these sentiments
still, in my opinion, those who love our Constitu-
ton and our Union have not very great cause for
alarm. Passion will subside reason will resume its
|
that they have been deceived and misled as to our
feelings and purposes that the people Of the North
while hoping aud praying for the day when no
slave shall press our soil, yet do neither claim nor
desire any power to interfere with slavery in any of
The states where it exists; and that the good old
ways wherein we walked, when to talk Of disunion
openly approve it silently, was to incur the scorn
due traitor, are ways Of pleasantness, and that
The good old paths our fathers taught US to tread
are paths of peace. And they will join with us in
believing that the men who achieved our independ-
snce and framed our Constitution were as true
patriots, and understood the Constitution well as
he statesmen of the present day will unite with
rs in following their teachings and walking in their
footsteps and in discarding these new measures. B.,
and this new policy which have produced no fruits
out those of dscord and bitterness and will again
pledge themselves, we to-day pledge ourselves,
n the full depth and force of its meaning, to the
sentiment Of the true and stern old patriot of the
hermitage -"The Union-it must aud shall be .
SAMIIELI KIRKXQQl