Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-04-29
April 2Sth, 1862.
AFnIcAN coLoNlzArIoN

AFRICAN COisOAiAAI
The subject of African Colonization is
engrossing the attention of statesmen and
phihnthropists throughout the country, to
very considerable extent. The almost
certain destruction of the system Of slavery,
| by reason OF the rebellion, demands speedy
solution of the question us to what shall be
done with the blacks when set free In the
United States Senate, on the DIST inst,
while the question eff African Colonization
was under consideration Mr.. LANE of lndi-
ana made the following remarks
Mr.. LANE of Indiana desire to present
the memorial OF Joseph Il. Williams aud others,
free persons Of color, praying that the Congress
of the United States may provide certain terrific
res without the limits Of the United States, in
| Central America or elsewhere for the colonial
tion of the free coored population OF the United
States and with the permission of the Senate
will state very briefly the objects sought TO he nc
complshed by the memoriasis. While do not
believe that the free colored population have all
or any considerable portion Of the rights of cti-
zenship under the Constitution aud laws of the
United States, with ME their right To petition is
sacred, This subject derives Il peculiar import
ance from the present position OF our affairs. 1t
is obvious to every one that by the march of our
armies, and by the conhscatOn Of the property OF
rebels, II large number of persons are to be man
united necessarily and inevitably. When these
slaves shall lie tree either one of three courses
must be adopted in reference to them they must
be rttnslayed, or coloni2ed, or apprenticed where
they now are. They never can be rr0nslayed.
Ii is at war with the genius aud spirit of our inst
tutons and against the enlightened public opinion
of the whole civilized world. The United States
eau never become either slave dealer or slave
owner Conhscation of the property of rebels
then implies necessarily the freedom Of the slaves;
and either judicious System of apprenticeship
must he resorted to by which they shall lie under
the guardianship OF certain persons until they are
qualified to take care of themselves and fitted for
the enjoyment Of freedom, or they are Ia lie col
onized, and colOnized beyond the limits uf the
unitel States, and no point better adapted to
their colonization suggests itself TO me thnn Cen
, tral America.
know that in times past objections have been
urged against the right of coorcd persons TO peii-
tion. The right Of petition comes to us from our
British ancestors. 1t had its orgnin the earliest
dawn of free institutions nmong the Anglo sax
ons. II is right which has been asserted under
every form Of government. in every country and
n every age OF the world. The most despOtc
aud absolute Government of Asia has permitted
this right Of Petition, aud there is no human
creature SO humble that lie may not petition--
: The very fact that he is dehasel aud ignorant
and downtrolden and oppressed is the strongest
, possible reason why he should be permitted TO
petition the powerful for justice and protection.
The right of petition is one Of the most important
agencies IN the divine economy for the redemp-
ton of the world. The righ, Of petition should
Y he held sacred.
+ Then the object sought to be accomplished BY
It their petition is one in which deeply sympathse
'- and the course suggested meets my hearty cou-
Il currence and appreciation. Not ouly will slaves
k lie mAnumitted by the march OF your armies and
l. by the confscaton of the property of rebels, but
IT under the act which you have lately passed fol
= the abolition of slavery in the District of Coum
+, bia some fifteen or eighteen hundred slaves have
been set free and if you carry out efficiently tn,
9, provision for voluntary colonization contain
Il ed in that act, some place of refuge must be
/, provided for the free African population Of th
United States, and particularly of this District
Ia Since the commencement of this rebellion many
signal and most important trinmphs have heeI
> achieved by the national arms and in behalf o
n, the national cause, but among the most import
IN ant victories achieved so far in the history OF th
i rebellion, is the abolition of slavery in the Disric
-, of Columbia. 1t is victory which sickens our
hearts with no terrible recital Of killed aud
, wounded. 1t is victory which plants no thorus
- in the pillow of widowhood, which fills the eye,
of no orphans with tears aud the hearts OF nj
mothers with anguish. II is Il boOdless triumpl
o. In claiming the abolition Of slavery in the Dis
le trict of Columbia as one of the most importan
to lriumphs of the national cause. would not b.
of any means disparge the triumph of your arms
I'd | know that the chValrc and patriotic sons o
the great Northwest and West are now pourn
-, their victorious columns upon New Orleans wit
" the might and efnndeur aud power with whic
2 As great father of wascrs sweeps her currents
"a % s.s , gus s'aI M X Swsss 'aH and sbT" bra
serylof tl,s'dtis aihssufstha limited statei
IN As an American citizen ff5h1 ~
triumphs. recolect that Lieutenant worder
es but few short weeks ago, added one to the lii
Of American. heroes.
of zone OF the few the immortal names
That were not born 10 die"
es | have peculiar pride in the victories of tn
ug West, as a citizen of Indiana; for upon ever
single battle field, her bravery and prowcss hay
contributed to your victory. Her blood has rec
dened every well stricken field aud no standar
of hers has ever been captured by the enemy.
draw no inVdous distinctions between the grel
or States Of the West. recognize most freely tb
49, patriotic devotion to the good cause in Kentucky
- circumstances OF the patriotic people OF Nilsson
10 ri and the State of fown, that first born
. freedom under the Missouri compromise, in III
SO struggle has nobly yndicated and illustrated h,
,it paternity. So of the people of Minnesota M
;; oi Wisconsin and of Michigan and of Illinois an
= Of Ohio. They have been equally brave, az
on their only rivalry has been generous emulate
rs as to who should most ardenty love, and wi
as should most Worthiy serve, our common glor
II Gus country. We have common interest
~ these victories. But great as they all arc. th,
re- are not much greater, in my estimation, than Il
~ moral triumph achieved i'll the District Of CGluI
So bia
,se have just national pride in the achiev,
ps ments of Commodore Foote ald his iuyncib
, hotilla of gunboats, who, upon ON obscure bay,
us Of the Mississippi, have added the glory Of am
a ther SalAmis to the worlds history. But the
MS lrumphs, great as they are. are hut little mo
l9 Important IN their results than the achieveme
mt TO the national cause brought about by the abe
~ lition Of slavery in the District OF Columbia
-oI have said that that victory was accompanied
'rO no bloodshed and no mourning, no regrets. en-
an the regrets that the rebels and their sympabisc
,es may entertain.
~. Gentlemen talk of the effect of the abolition
hs' slavery upon the border States. So far ns I n
concerned, there is no terror in that cry For Il
~ last twenty years have never seen an hour or
tn moment that would not have given the san
ed vote, Sixteen wears ago | took the same grou
a. in the State Of Indiana, and two years ago W.
''e tried upon the record. My letter was read
10 favor OF the abolition of slavery in the Distfi
re- of Columbia in the canvass Of 1860. I "
to tried upon the record, and the verdict was
-hp majority Of ten thousand.
for l have no fears in reference to the result
that vote, and believe it cannot operate ini
me- riously but If We wish to make that wise al
ef benehcent measure effective, we must carry o
the prayer Of these memoralists and provide
place'where they may be colonized, and colon
- zed voluntarily, for forced emigration or con
a,e pulsory colonization will result in good. VI