Middletown transcript., 1868-05-02
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The proper solution Of this question
concerns every man, and has parplexed
many Of our ablest statesmen. Years ago
it occupied their serious attention. 1t was
foreaeen that the natural increase of the
negro would be such as to make it neces-
sary to do something to relieve the coun-
try Of their augmented numbers, and phi
lanthropy suggested the practicability of
colonizing them upon the shores of their
native Africa. Hence arose the colony
of Liberia; and the colonization scheme
numbered among its jealous advocates
many of the first men of the nation. But
il had its enemies also. The abolitionists
opposed it from the beginning; and the
negroes themselves, with few exceptions,
were either averse to it, or Indifferent to-
wards it. A few thousands of emigrants,
with their children, to-day compose the
population of Liberia. That colony has
not increased in numbers, nor grown in
importance, as rapidly as was anticipated.
1t has disappointed the expectations of its
friends, although it has been so literally
fostered and encouraged. The State of
Maryland, for many years, annually ap-
propriated ten thousand dollars to coloni-
zation purposes, and wealthy philanthro-
pists, in various parts of the country, lib
orally aided the cause with their means.
But the numbers of the blacks have not
been sensibly diminished thereby. On
the contrary, they have continued to in
crease, until they now amount to upwards
Of four millions, and outnumber the whites
in several of the Southern States.
Latterly, however, colonization seems
to be growing into favor; and we have
seen the statement recently published that
four thousand negroes have lately applied
for transportation to Liberia. Whence
comes this new impulse to the COLOMBIA.
ton scheme? What has caused this large
number of the descendants of Africa, al
at once, to be seized with desire to re-
turn to their father-land? Have they
discovered that it is, after all, the prope
place for them, and the only place wher
their hopes and aspirations can be full,
realized. We cannot answer these inter
rogatories. But, one thing is apparent
we think, to every rejecting mind, an
that is, that colonization is the only peace
full solution of the question which form
the caption to this article.
In the progress of the revolution whic
has swept over this country since 1885,
the bondman has been set free. 1t is to
late, now, to discuss the policy or the in
policy of the act. We must accept it as
thing accomplished; and whatever may
thought of the manner of its accomplish
ment, few can be found who would resto
the institution of slavery if they coul
We are now to consider the relation su
tanned by this class of our population
society, and to determine its present al
future status. To do this, has not on
become public duty, but it is forced u
on the people of the country by an a
pervading necessity
Since the negroes have been set free
certain class of politicians would enfra
chise them and endow them with all t
rights, privileges and immunities, enjoy
by the whites A great political pal
has been organized, with negro equalii
in a civil sense, at least, as its chief CO
ner stone. The negro is not only to ha
the ballot, but he is to be admitted il
our workshops, counting houses, learn
professions, courts of law, schools of m,
icine, the jury-box, the bar, the BEN
the pulpit, and to the halls of legislati
State and National.
It requires no prescience to foretell t
such state of things cannot exist,
this country, without convulsing it, Fl
centre to circumference. He is the enc
of the negro, and foe to the peace, or
and well-being Of society, who attempts
inculcate the idea that the two races
live together harmoniously upon term
equality. Not only is such a thing
war with the eternal fitness of things,
it does violence to nature itself, and
therefore impracticable. 1t is worse t
folly, therefore, to undertake to organ
aparty on such basis-it is madness
While we do not believe that the VI
race will ever tolerate the negro, save
subordinate sphere, we nevertheless b
that the country owes him duty WI
it must ultimately discharge; and that
to provide for removing him out of
He has been an apple of discord, from