Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-11-04

fessed to be his friends. Some were so unchar-
liable as to attribute to the President sordid and
disreputable motives. They talked of rings
and "corner-lots," and speculative purchases,
by the President and his friends, of property
and franchises in that delightful island. Calm
er and more dispassionate men, however, reject
ed these injurious imputations as unjust and
scandalous. There was much speculation how
ever, in many quarters at the time as to the ul-
terror purposes of the President but as he offer
ed no explanation, and his recommendations
met with strong opposition, the subject was al
lowed to pass from the public mind.
In my Judgment, the most probable solution
of this mysterious problem may be found by
Conceding to the President an intelligent and
patriotic purpose, to inaugurate the wise and De-
Inefficient policy of separation OF the two races,
as advocated by his predecessor Mt Llncoln,
and the other distinguished statesmen of his own
party whose opinions l have quoted. Assuming
this to be his purpose, all difficulty as to his
course vanishes and we can readily understand
that the recommendations and action OF the
President in regard to San Domingo were
prompted by desire to secure the most conve-
nient ylum for the colored population of the
United States.
The President was doubtless familiar with the
views of Mr.. Jefferson and our earlier statesmen
on this subject and he could not have been igno-
rantofthe sentiment of Mr.. Lincoln and his Cabi-
net, and of Mr. Trumbull, Mr. Douglas, Mr. Wade
and Mr. Sherman and Mr.. Morton. He knew
that. from the IOuQQaLlOQ OF our gOV0rQH0HL, Lie
negro race had been constant source of dlscord
and strife. He knew that the negro question was
still an open and dangerous question. He
knew that the negro was the proximate cause OF
the war and that he is now the only serious OBJ
stacle to the restoration of domestic harmony
and tranquility. He knew that half the troubles
and difficulties which EN- barrass his administra-
ton proceed out of this Pandora's box. He also
knew that it was as impossible to blend these two
alien races into one homogeneous people. as 1t
ho 70 upito oil and Ia fhnrnfOrn
cast about for the best means of settling forever
this dangerous question by complete separa-
ton of the two races.
He. doubtless, saw that Africa and Central
America were too far off, and Mexico too near,
and too likely at no distant day to become por
ton OF the United States, to fulfill the conditions
required for permanent home for the colored
race.
BE also saw, within a few hundred miles of
cur Southern coast, an island, possessing fer
tile soil and genial climate, peculiarly adapted
to the negro constitution, sparsely populated by
negroes, but amply sufficient in area and produc-
tive powers to support the whole negro popula-
ton of the United States; and yet so near that
it would be no difficult task to transport them
thither.
Is 1t matter of surprise, therefore, that the
President should cast longing eye on this de-
lightful island as meeting every requirement
that was necessary for the consummation of his
wise purpose?
All his action in regard to the subject was char
acterized by his usual caution and reserve He
first sent agents of his own selection to spy out
the land whether it was fat or lean; to examine
and report on the resources of the island. En-
couraged by the result of this partial explora-
tion he induced Congress to authorized commits
sion, acting under its authority, to proceed to
the island and make more full investigation OF
its capabilities, with reference to the object which
presume he had il view.
In organizing this commission, it is a signi-
fcant fact that the President placed at the head
of it Senator Benjam f. Wade, of Ohio whose
pronounced opinions in favor OF separation of
the races, and that the blacks should ''go into
the tropics" [ have already quoted.
1t is hardly less significant that the second
member of the commission was Frederick Dou-
glas, himself negro. and, therefore, peculiarly
competent to judge ofthe adaptation of the coun-
try to the wants of his race.
The report of the commissioners was favorable,
but as the action of the President had been bit
terly assailed in the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives and as the Presidential election was
near at hand, the President probably supposed
that public opinion was not then ripe for full
development of his policy, and he therefore pru-
IDENTIFY suspended, for the time all further action
on the subject.
This is the solution of the matter which has
suggested itself to my mind on a careful consi-
deration Of all the facts connected with it.
If / have rightly interpreted the action of the
President the people will see init the wise poll
cy of far-seeing and patriotic statesman, instead
him by his enemies
Two years have passed away since this subject
was agitated the Presidential election has been
settled new complications have arisen in the
sions between the two races; the march of public
opinion has been onward the people demand
lepose; the terse invocation Of the President
Let us have peace" has been echoed back from
every section; there are now no disturbing ques-
tons of party character before the country
And it seems to me that the present is an auspi-
cious time for the calm consideration of this
question of the separation of races-the greatest
of all questions which can engage the attention OF
our people.
Ifthe President shall entertain the views which
have attributed to him, and in his next annual
message renew his recommendations in regard to
San Domingo, and accompany them with a full
exposition Of we'll considered colonization poll
cy, he will overwhelm his enemies with shame
and establish a lasting claim on the confidence
and gratitude of the whole country Public SEN
timent is now prepared to receive such commu-
nication, and it would be hailed with acclama-
ton by the intelligent of both races Both now
understand the evils of their present relations
and both are prepared for the Inauguration OF
the policy of gradual separation.
THE FUTURE ASYLUM OF THE NEGRO
Mr.. Jefferson, at an early day, expressed his
preference for the West Indies as refuge for our
colored population. With his usual sagacity
and foresight he said 4: 1.-THE West Indies offer
al
negroes. Inhabited already by people of their
own race and color-climate congenial with their
natural constltutiOn-insulat ed from the other
descriptions OF men. nature seems to have form
ed these islands to become the receptacle of the
blacks transplanted into this hemispheren
If, then, Congress shall sustain the President in
his policy of acquiring the necessary interests in
San Domingo to enable our colored population
to migrate thither and obtain permanent homes
this perplexing question of antagonistic races
will be placed in a train for permanent adjust
ment. If the United States will guarantee to the
island protection from foreign aggression and
stable internal government, by a well-guarded
protectorate, for term of years, such induce
ments can be held out to the negro population
as will incline large numbers of them, without
coercion or c0mpulsion of any kind, to adopt it
as their home. There they would have govern
ment of their own, with all its officers chosen by
themselves, from their own race. Every avenue
to prosperity and distinction would be open to
them. The consciousness of inferiority arising
from constant contact with the superior race
would give place to honorable pride and self-re-
spect A new career would be opened to them
and if the negroes be capable of sef-government
and OF elevatlng their moral, religious, social and
physical condition to the highest standard of
christian civilization, they will have abundant
opportunities to do so.
A GREAT FUTURE FOR THE RACE
Should success crown his noble and patriotic
enterprise the beautiful island of San Domingo
which is almost as large as Virginia. and far
more product ve-which at the time of its dis
coVery was estimated to contain near three mil
lions oflnha bltants-may be redeemed from COM
parative desolation and barbarism, and assume
an important position in the commercial world,
yielding to the United States large supplies of
cotton, rice coffee, tobacco and tropical fruits,
and receiving from us, in exchange, the products
OF our workshops and agriculture
doubt not that some narSons-and rroha b1v