Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-08-22
THE PRESIDENT ON COLONIZATION
AN INTERVIEW WITH coLoRED

{ Az WITH COLORED MLN.
Thursday afternoon the president gave au.
dionce to a committee of co!ored men at the
White House. They were introduced By
Rev j. Mitchell, commissioner of emigration
Il. NJ Thomas, the chairman, remarked that
they were there by invitation to hear what
the executive had to say to them. Having
all been seated, the president, after few
preliminary observations, said
'um Of money had been appropriated by Congress
and placed a. his disposition, for the purpose Of aiding
the colonization ia some country Of the people, por
ton Of them, Of African descent thereby making it his
duty. as il had for long time been his inclination to
favor that cause, and Why he asked should the people
OF your race be cOlonized, and where Why should
they leave this country This is perhaps the first ques-
ton for popular consideration. You and differ
ent races. We have between a broader difference
than exists between almost any other two races Wheth-
CT Is right OF wrong, need not discuss but this phys-
cal difference Is great disadvantage to both
think your race suffer very greatly many Of them by y.
ing among US, who ours suffer from your presence In
word We suffer on each side. II this Is admitted, it
affords reason at lv1hJ should be separate. You
here are ireemen supposed, "a voice. " Yes, sir ,
The president Perhaps you have long been free all
your hNes Your race are suffering in my Judgment,
the greatest wrong infected on any people. But even
when you cease TO be slaves you yet far removed
Iom being placed on an equality with white You
W. cut of from many Of the advantages which the other
race ENJOY The aspiration Of is enjoy equality
WIN me best when free but this broad continent not
hnBle man OF your race is made the equal Of a
single m n Of ours. Go where you are Treated the
best and the ban Is still upon YOU do not propose to
discuss TINS, but to present il fact with which we
nave TO deal eannlt alter il II would II is fact
about which we all think and feel alike, and you We
LOOK 10 our condition owing to the existence Of the
races OF TINS continent need recount you the
effects upon white men growing Of the institution Of
Say believe IN It's general evil effects on the white
race see our present condition the country engaged
~ war our WHITE men cutting anothers throats
h9he showing how TAT u el extend and then consider
"hs we KNOW to be- the truth But for your among
vs. lnee eoulo not be war, although many engaged
on either side do for YOU one way or the otht
NeNeihetss repeat without the institution of slavery
ana we enored race as basis. the could have
an existence It's better Tor us both therefore TO be
Separated khoN that there are free among you
"h' of'uH lhey could better their condition, as
mueh inehned 10 90 out Of the country those who
being slaves, could obtain their eedom on mis- eondi
uou.
suppose one Of the PRINCIPAL difficulties in the way
81 colonization H. that the Tree coored man cannot see
mat ms comfort would be advanced By H. You may be-
nte you can h'e in Washington OF elsewhere In the
uhea states the remainder OF your life perhaps more
30 man you can IN any foreign country. aud hence you
a come To me conclusion that you have nothing do
WV. VIC u's OF going 10 foreign country. This ia, II
speak 10 no kind senhe) extfemey selfish view Of the
case But You ought 10 do something 10 help those who
are not 30 fortunate as yourselves There 10 an unwi
on ihe part o. our people, harsh IL may be 70
you nee colored people 10 Temain with US Now II Won
Nn kl" START To the black people, you would open
rs uogf iot many TO be made iree. II deal with
nse VINO are NOT nee al the beginning and whose intel
are ViVuaeu by slavery, have very poor mate
leila 20 start with II intelligent eoored men such as
are before me. would begin in this matter much miuht
~ S'emphshsa u Is exceedingly important thai we
nave men al the beginning capable Of thinking white
men ana not those who have been systemAtirally on
F'N'"' ''i' ~ huoh 70 encourage u. For the sake