The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-05-05
Whithcr Do We Drif 2

In the great social revolution through which
we are now passing it does not require wise
man to see the germ of new and still more
prosperous future for the nation. The negro
has ever been the great incubus we have car
ried upon our backs. Slavery has been our
curse it has stulti6ed our growth, prevented
emigration from foreign countries, and in the
South has competed with foreign bone and
muscle. In short, it has been the immediate
cause Of all our sufferings, arrayed one section
against another and created the bitter jeal-
ousies that eliminated in the rebellion.
This incubus has been removed, and the
great question whereon we still diff.r is the
social position the emancipated blacks are to
assume. Congress declares they shall be
admitted to full citizenship, and what Congress
says at this time must be submitted to. After
all, there can be no great danger in giving the
blacks full rights enjoyed by other classes Of
the community. "This is white mans gov
ernmcnt," say the South, "and we want IL pre-
served to our children" This argument is obso-
lete. Unerring destiny points to the gradual
absorption Of the negro population by the
Anglo-Saxon, and ere many years pass the
blacks will have become insignificant in hume.
rical strength. For few years they may exer-
else some political influence in the nation. and
. few may be raised to responsible positions;
but 1t will be for brief period only. Time
will solve the problem Of political supremacy
and leave the nation in the hands of the whites.
For the present we must submit.
But there are some important facts bearing
upon this subject that II would be well to bear
in mind. The Old World is rapidly becoming
republicanized and revolutionzed. We have
satisfactorily demonstrated to the republican
masses OF Europe that government founded
on republican principles can withstand alike
the shocks Of outside pressure and internal
strife. Now, what Is likely to be the result 7
Clearly an enormous influx Of emigrants from
Europe to this hemisphere, which must Of
necessity become the receptacle for the strug-
Cling millions who now groan under tho
expressions Of monarchial institutions and are
turning their eyes westward in search OF homes
where they can enjoy the freedom denied to them
in Europe. The next half century will see the
Ohu WoEtu cfupdVu INV VIC view, our eStcrn
prairies filed with sinewy and industrious
foreigners, the wild untutored savages pressed
hack upon the Pacific to make room for the
millions Of Germans, Swiss, Norwegians and
Hibernians, who are republicans before they
touch our soil. With such . class of persons
filling up our waste territory, who can doub,
the stability Of our government With sfsy
years Of peace we can pay Of the nationa
debt, people the country between here and thu
Pacific, and by the aid Of the telegraph an,
railways shake hands across continent
The only fear W. entertain is that We shall
not end room for the millions Of emigrants wh'
pour in upon us, and ere . century rolls BY !
may be necessary for successor Of Secretary
Seward 70 purchase Mexico, the Kingdom o
Canada, and q part Of South America, for th'