The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-01-13
SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 1866.
COIonizatiOn-The Tue Solution of the
Freedmen Problem.

Freedmen Problem.
II would seem that all those defenders and
friends of negro rights who have been for
years bravely struggling in defense of the
injured African race, have suddenly ceased
their efforts in behalf of justice, and are
supinely watching their former proteges, now
free, believing that all their duties have been
fulfilled in thus leading them from darkness
into light. WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON dis
continued the organ which he has edited TOR
thirty odd years. The convention in favor
OF freedom which has annually met are talk
ing of abandoning their schemes, claiming
that their aims are accomplished; while the
Colonization Society, which, while it had few
blacks to work for was most active, has sunk
into insignifcance since the number of those
who need its aid have increased to millions.
All seem to think that the whole scheme OF
freedom and justice has been solved; that
with the breaking of chains comes liberty;
and that, once without letters, the blacks can
stand alone. We are afraid there is too much
of the melo-drama in this peroratiOn Of old
abolitionists. 1t savors rather of bombast
than Of truth in uttering the declaration that
the end has been accomplished. Like an able
orator who seizes on a favorable incident to
conclude his speech with the clash and climax
of rhetoric, the lifelong friends of the blacks
are now putting period to their sentence in
defense of an injured race.
The fact is plain, however, that there never
was a time at which the blacks needed more
the advice of friends and the protection of
defenders. They are now passing through
transition period. They will either be
moulded into the lowest strata of society,
from which no convulsion will upheave them,
or else will be 50 placed as to rise if rise they
can. The whole tendency of Southern feel
ing is to oppress them, the whole feeling at the
North is opposed to giving them their rights
which are the best guarantee OF future self
defense against tyranny. Whether rightly or
wrongly, the fact is the same, that there is not
a State in the Union, unless it be Massachu-
sets, which is willing to give the privilege of
suffrage to the blacks. There is Dot and pro-
badly will not be any opportunity given to
them in this country to rise. The doctrine
that ''this is white mans country and should
be ruled by white men" is now a national one
and the only opportunity for elevation is
voluntary emigration. In viewing this pro-
blem but two lands present themselves to the
blacks-either Mexico or Liberia. Whatever
might have been their penchdnt for the
former, the re-establishment of peonage rem
ders emigration to that land an act of the
widest folly. They fly from form of freedom
to form of slavery.
Then there remains Liberia, and it is by
colonization that the race must be improved.
II it remains here it will gradually become ex-
tinct, like the Indian, although with not such
great rapidity. The greater will crush the
less. While in Africa, land whose climate
is peculiarly suited for the blacks, from which
they originally came, and where they will be
the ruling power, affords inducements which
to any high-spirited colored man, would be
irresistible. Compulsory eXpatriation we do
not favor, but let the question be fairly stated
let the means OF transportation be provided,
and then let such as wish to, CO. We do not
intend to repeat the arguments in favor OF
the scheme. We mer ely desire to discover
whetherl the Society once so active is now no
more. Whether its publications has been dis
continued, its efforts relaxed; whether it,
like the Li6erator, has died when most
needed. II funds are necessary, an appeal
would secure all that are required. If it yet
lives, it should show its existence by being
seen and heard OF. II it is dead, we favor the
establishment OF a similar association. The
Old one possesses all the elements of success
except vitality and if that be added to it, we
doubt not that it would be most useful and
powerful agent in the solution OF the Vexed
question of "What shall become OF the freed
menP" 1t is through this, or some similar
Society's efforts, that the difficulties of the road
must be smoothed, and, colonization. the
best settlement OF the issue presented be sue,
cessfully effected.