Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-03-25
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From THE Washington correspondence Of
the N. Y. Times, we extract The following
well grounded remarks upon the subject Of
colonization;
The probable failure of the South to supply
the manufacturing world with cotton, and
the consequent efforts which are being made
in Europe to encourage the culture 0f the
plant In other regions adapted 10 lis growth,
should stimulate the friends Of African Colon
Eation in this country To redoubled exertions
H. the noble cause In which they are engaged.
Now Is the time, and the demand ior cotton
is the occasion, to make appeals to the irse
oolo,ed people North and South to emigrate.
The accounts which travellers give Us Of the
eountry on the borders Of the River Niger,
are In the highest degree encouraging to the
friends Of African Colonization, by the mag
ni6eent prospects they hold out to the euIti-
vators Of cotton. In this country which We
are prone 10 regard as the indigenous home
OF the cotton plant ii only grows where it Is
planted and nursed with the greatest care;
but on the banks Of the Niger, and generally
Ia Africa, the very trees OF the forest are
clothed with the beautiful white heeces Of
which the Southern planters vsiniy Imagine
themselves 70 be the sole possessors.
There can be no doubt that the manufacture
aud use Ct cotton win grow almost indefinite
ly; and that the demand for the article will
keen far ahead Of the supply from the South
ern plantations, under the most favorable
circumstances. But If the political commo-
tions which have commenced in the Slave
States shall result as they probably will in
a serious disturbance Of the social condition
Of the people, and arrangement Of private
business, there Is reason TO believe that cot
ton-plantiag colonies on en- extensive scale
may be sent out from this country TO Africa,
with every prospect oi pecuniary success. Il
may become the interest Of gentlemen of for
tune in the Free States to engage in these
enterprises, from which rich returns of profit
may be anticipated. There can be no doubt
that the free people Of color would far more
readily accompany white men to Africa as
colonists, with the certainty Of remunerative
employment under their direction, in pref
erence 70 the nresent plan of sending them
out to shift for themselves. The cOlored race
eonfide in the sagacity, skill and courage Of
the whites and where thesu lead the way, the
sons Of Ham viii follow with unquestioning
confidence and hope,
The same remarks apply to the colonization
of Central America and Nexico--large por-
tons Of which, it is said, win produce the
finest cotton. confess l never had faith in
Mr. Eli Thayer's plans Of colonizing Central
America with white men. The tropics were
made for the cOlored races, and these races for
the tropics. Butthe intelligence, capital, skin
and enterprise of white men should and
direet,and will find ample remuneration in the
on either side of the Atlantic, with the un-
fortunate class of our Inhabitants which can
never enjoy political and social equality in
these Northern latitudes.
If the Union is to be dissolved, it viii
become the interest ofthe Northern Union to
give its active aid and protection tc these en-
terprises, and see no reason why Liberia
and the greater part of Africa may not be
taken under the prOtectionof the American
! Union as a permanent Colonial possession
There is nothing in our Constitution which
I prohibits the Government from acquiring
Colonies, and the. sovereignty which we have
ever asserted over the Indian Tribes would
seem to favor the idea that no such constitu-
tional inhibition exists. The Governments
of England and France would gladly -eeog-
I nize our claims on the condition that we
stipulate TO suppress the SlaVe-trade. By
taking possession of the unappropriated por-
tions Of that Great Continent, we should ac-
complish more than one, OF even two, OBJ
| jects Of irst-Iate importance. We should Sc
cure a supply OF free-labor cotton, colonize
our free eolored people in land where they
could become truly free, prosperous and happy,
open the way 70 an extensive commerce, and
at the same time take great stride in the
cause of African ChTistianiz alton and civiliz-
alton. By all means let US take possession
of Western Africa, and establish over It
i permanent Colonial Government, on the
English plan Of governing their foreign posses
sicns. 0BsEEyER.