The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-02-04
American Colonization Failures.

The correspondence laid before the Senate
concerning the emigrants that went out from
the State of Maine short time since to found
colony in Palestine discloses very unfortu-
nate and distressing condition Of things. 1t
appears that the application made by Senator
Morrill, and the Rev. Mr.. Adams to the Porte
for grant Of land for them had been fatty
refused, and that they are reduced to a state
bordering on starvation. 1t seems incredible
that any body of sane men, but more particu-
larry Americans. should have been induced to
embark in an enterprise Of this kind without
having first satisfied themselves that sufficient
quantity Of land and the protection of the
authorities had been secured for them. We
shall say nothing Of the conduct of the pro-
moter OF the scheme, because where there are
dupes there will always be found designing
men to prey on them. As an Industrial under
taking the enterprise held out but few advan-
tages There was scarcely part of our own
country which did not offer greater. The i'm
polling motive with the colonists must there
fore, have been a purely religious one, and
this should have been an additional reason for
surrounding them with every protection and
safeguard that could be furnished against the
hardships and mischances that were likely to
befall them in q strange country. Like all
such people, however, they seem to have lost
sight of the maxim g Help yourself and God
will help you They contented themselves
with placing their trust in Providence alone,
and consequently got swamped. Evidently
they were never intended to battle against diff
ficulties or to found colonies. But in this they
are not so singular.
number of emigrants were recently
sent out to Brazil from the South, on the
invitation, it was said, of the imperial gov
eminent The Brazilian authorities refused to
have anything to say to them, declaring that
they were not the class of persons who were
likely to be of any use in that climate. Now
this statement might apply either to their
physical condition or to the want Of discrimi-
nation evinced in regard to their mechanical
and agricultural capabilities. However this
might have been the result was the same, and
the useless displacement Of persons who might
have been of some value at home, and their
COHSeqlcut ouUJcCtlOu w suc hocHcSt ulSdp-
pointment and suffering. In the Mexican colo
nization schemes Of Maury and other Con-
federate leaders, and the famous Chiriqui pro-
ject Of President Lincoln, there was witnessed
the same want Of judgment and reckless disre-
gard of consequences. - aF
From all this it may be inferred that coloni-
xation projects Of any kind, originating IN this
country, are to be looked upon with distrust.
The fact that the persons who embark In them
are dissatisfied with their lot and seek such .
change is prima tacie evidence that they are
unfit for it. The qualities which thcy require
to fight the tiger elsewhere would enable
them to make easy Roadway at home. The
man who cannot earn living in this country,
in the diversified conditions Of climate and
soil which it offers, may rest assured that he
no n Darn Il IN M Okhor mart nf tina world