Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1862-11-01
Emancipation-How to Make the
Presidents Proclamation Available.

A writer in the GAINESVILLE Gazette
suggests the following plan:
Let a chain of strong military posts
be established as soon as practicable
along the whole easterly boundary of
Texas and across the north end Of the
peninsula of Florida. Then, at the
first of January, let the whole land
ring with the shout that Texas and
Florida are the negro paradise Let
every effort be put forth to stampede
the whole slave population Of the re-
belliols states into Florida and Texas.
Let steamers, under convoy Of gun
boats if necessary, transport them by
tens of thousands from New Orleans,
and the course of the Mississippi and
its tributaries to Texas, and from the
Atlantic coast to Florida, while shoals
Of naked starving creatures would
pour through the friendly lines inland,
and in time for spring work the thing
would be accomplished. Uncle Sam,
exercising such protectorate over the
fugitives as the exigences shall require,
could organize and direct their indus
try, and quietly raise his cotton and
cane, while the rebels would die of
vexation at the sight.
We are fully persuaded that this
scheme in all its length and breadth is
feasible. The great argument used by
the slave holders when urging the pur-
chase of Florida, and stimulating a
war for the acquisition Of Texas, was,
that those regions offered a refuge for
thousands Of runaway slaves, in time
of peace. But suppose our scheme
not fully successful. We have viola
ted no recognized principle governing
belligerents, and have given occupation
to large portion Of the rebel forces in
preventing our full success. Universal
history is but the story Of human
and the inevitable retribution. Florida
cost the United States millions in
money and thousands of lives. She
turns traitor to secure the perpetual
enslavement Of the Africans. and the
African becomes possessor Of the soil.
Texas, the great first cause Of all 'our
wars, acquired from neighboring
power in violation of every principle
Of right, and for the securing perpetui-
ty tonegro slavery, becomes the ex pand-
ing empire ola people springing from an
emancipated population.
We have beer persuaded for years
that at some time the colorei races Of
the United States would flow out
through Texas to regions congenial in
climate and productions, and now
Providence points the door, we hold
the key, let US give the signal.
Al, schemes for colonization oy an
ocean passage must fail in their main
scope, though much good may result
to the comparatively few to whom its
advantages can be extended; but
when we open passage 500 miles
wide in the southwest, which the slave
has only to walk through to be free, a
national exodus Will begin, which in
the grandeur Of its results will rival
The recorded movements Of Saracen or
Jew, Or Tartar or Goth, while the tide
of free white labor, following the re-
treating steps Of the slave, will grado-
ally efface every vestage of the war.
Then We may justly hope that our own
whole country will constitute state
where liberty, under law, shall be the
pride and security Of her citizens.