The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-08-29

ceased. The question is, it the COLI
ored people are persuaded to go any.
where, why not there One reason for an
unwilingness to do 80 is, that some of you
would rather remain within reach of the
country of your nativity. / do not know
how much attachment you may have toward
our race. It does not strike me that you
have the greatest reason to love them. But
still you are attached to them at all events.
The place am thinking about having for
colony is in Central America. 1t is nearer
to US than Liberia-n0t much more than
one4fourth as far as Liberia, and within
seven days run by steamers. Unlike Libe,
ria, it is on great line of travel-it is a
highway. The country is very excellent
one for any people, and with great natural
resources and advantages, and especially
because of the similarity of climate with
your native land-thus being suited to your
physical condition. The particular place I
have in view is to be great highway from
the Atlantic or Caribbean Sea to the Paci.
fic Ocean, and this particular place has all
the advantages of a colony. On both sides
there are harbors, among the first in the
world. Again, there is evidence of very
rich coal mines. A certain amount of coal
is valuable in any country, and there may
be more than enough for the wants of the
country. Why attach 80 much import
ancn tn coal H. IL will aHord an Opportunity
to the inhabitants for immediate employ
ment till they get ready to settle perma-
nently in their homes. If you take COLO
nists where there is no good landing, there
is bad show; and so where there is
nothing to cultivate, and of which to make
farm. But if something is started, so that
you can get your daily bread as soon as
you reach there, it is great advantage.
Coal land is the best thing know of with
which to commence the enterprise. To re.
turn, you have been talked to upon this sub.
ject, and told that speculation is intended
by gentlemen who have an interest in the
country, including the coal mines. We have
been mistaken all our lives if we do not
know whites as we'll as black look to their
self interest. Unless among those deficient
of intellect, everybody you trade with
makes something. You meet with these
things here and elsewhere. If such per-
sons have what will be an advantage to
them, the question is whether it cannot be
made of advantage to you? You are intel
ligent, and know that success does not as
much depend on the external help as on self
reliance. As to the coal mines, think l
see the means available for your self-reli.
ance. l shall, if get a sufficient number
of you engaged, have provisions made that
you shall not be wronged. If you will en-
gage in the enterprise, will spend some
of the money entrusted to me. am not
sure you will succeed. The government
may lose the money, but we cannot sue
coed unless we try; but we think with care
we can succeed. The political affairs in
Central America are not in quite as sats
isfactory a condition as l could wish.
There are contendipg factions in that quar-
ter; but it is true all the factions are agreed
alike on the subject of colonization, and
want it, and are more generous than we
are here. TO your colored race they have
no objection. Besides, l would endeavor
to have you made equals, and have the best
assurance that you should be the equals of
the best. The practical thing l want to
ascertain is, whether can get number of
able bodied men, with their wives and
children, who are willing to 60, when 1
present evidence OF encouragement and pro-
lection. Could get hundred tolerably
intelligent men, with their wives and chill
dren, to "cut their own fodder" so to speak?
Can l have fifty? If could find twenty
five able bodied men, with a mixture of
women and children, good things 10 the
family relation, think could make sue
cessful commencement. / want you to let
me know whether this can be done or not.
This is the practical part of my wish to
see you. These are subjects of very great
importance, worthy of months study, of
a speech delivered in an hour. l ask you
then to consider seriously, not pertaining to
yourselves merely, nor for your race and
ours, for the present time, but as one of the
things, if successfully managed, for the
good of mankind, not confined to the pres
ent generation, but as,
''From age to age descend the lay,
To millions yet to be,
Till far its echoes roll away
Into eternity"
The above is merely given as the sub
stance of the Presidents remarks.
The chairman of the delegation briefly
replied that they would hold consultation
and in short time give an answer. The
President said, "Fake your full time no
hurry at all"
The delegation then withdrew.