The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-03-23
Colored Population or a.. SAINT,

uOHN dttSntiou well Uc LOO eGTueSL-
ly or frequently called to the subject of the
colored population of the South. The fate OF
the country was always wrapped up with
that of this population, and that fact will
never be denied again. We rise or fall with
them, resist it as we may God means to
make US honest to our professions of liberty
and equality, or destroy lis land he is just
The old question-"What shall we do with
the slaves if emancipated? ?" has answered
ITSELF aud others have taken its place-What
shall we do tuithout them? and - What shall
we do for them? The following extract from
late
LETTER TO A CABINET sECRETAY,
refers to this subject:
"HoNoRED AND DEAR SIR The emanci-
pated people OF the South constitute field
OF great responsibility and labor. The impor-
lance Of raising them TO the level OF their
new and prospective condition cannot be
over-estimated, whether viewed morally or
politically. Humanity has vast interest in
their welfare, and their country has no less
Ii their liberation is not made to work well it
will work iearfuily ill. We must lift them up,
or they will drag US down. They have sur
prised the world by their quietness since the
violence OF war has ragged around them, not
as Is now seen because they could not fight
but because they believed they saw the morn
ing rays of Liberty and Justice for them.
Hope whspered-and they were still. We
vowed 10 them, and they sprung TO arms with
noble heroism.
Now suppose the war to close, and this DOB
ulation though declared generally free by
national authority, yet lett for security of
person and property still far within the reach
OF their old tyrants as they would be; without
the ballot or Intelligence TO use it armed but
uneducated; with doubtful title to the soil or
rights of civil justice, and goaded still by
wrong, what would probably be the result?
Very likely the most malignant mutual butch
cry the world ever saw. Perhaps the nation
itself would be forced to right those whose
yalor saved it, stung to revenge by repeated
treachery as they would be.
All this may become history written with
blood unless impartial justice, education, in
dustry aud re lyon, with generous kindness
aud aid shall hasten to lift them up and
quality them to command respect for their
rights and welfare. And for this every hour
Is precious. 1t cannot With safety be de-
layed.
The debate In Congress now occurring on
the payment OF colored soldiers, will ever be
looked back upon with shame for the mean
ness, the injustice and impolicy of refusing 10
pay them as Others are paid. Why thus in
suit and discourage-why thus sting them
with wrong when they so much need our
assistance, both for their sake and that of the
country? The excuse of expense is as I'M
worthy as it is impoiiic. The refusal may
cost ten thousand times more than the be-
stowal. Ii is hoped the dishonor will not be
consummated. No truer friends to the Union
can be found than this eighth of the whole
population of the country. Can we afford to
ALLEVIATE them? 1t is just where such power
will be needed; and ii conciliated and pre-
pared, may secure the peace and salvation of
the country.
This is a new responsibility upon the gov
eminent and upon the moral forces of the
country, taxing all the wisdom and energy
Of both. BY the humane and enlightened
principles which shall prevail on this subject,
will be graduated the glory of the country
| when swords pillow the earth instead of flesh
1t is obvious that this work will require
well devised system, placed in the hands OF
| judicious, benevolent men, whose aim will
constantly be - supervision, care, industry,
| education, encouragement and mild, steady
| control. Religion must be the basis OF sue
cess. Few trusts under the government re-
| quire better men than this. Our Indian his
tory Is before us. England has its Ireland and
India France had its st. Domingo We now
have our millions of colored population: may
we show the nations that Christian civilization
has made some progress, to the honor of the
Republican government.
Are not these views worthy of the earnest
consideration of all thinking men patriots
or Christians? The late action of Congress
is not yet fully explained, but if it will mi
tiate an adequate system, the c hristianity OF
the land must hasten to support and aid it.
A. w,