Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-03-10
nerortn,lon =. u Kennedy.

Deportation ~ u Remedy.
The writer of the following letter adj
dressed TO a distinguished Virginani
argues that God has appointed Central
Africa as the home OF the negro, and
that he should be RENTED 10 that land
as soon as it can be properly done, and
he adds:
In the light Of the principle
of interrsce law, which as law OF ma
ture is the law of God, aud, as such. IS a
claw higher than the Constitution,
which is only human positive law, the
white nation of the United States OF
America is entitled to the exclusive occu-
pancv and exclusive government Of It's
country; and consequently the so-called
constitutional amendments, giving sui
frage to the negro there, are simply
illegal.
On the other hand. also, in the light
of the interrace law, the original wrong
done to the negro nations now IN the
United States was less their enslave-
ment. which was generally done by
their own race, than their illegal and
forcible deportation from their native
country. BY the abolition OF slavery
this wrong has not been redressed; but
is made by it more apparent and more
keeply felt. For by the force OF the
inierrace law, as an inevitable law OF
nature, their absence from their own
country is the cause OF the unexpected
social inequality from which they suffer.
10 fact the abolition Of slavery has
scarcely redressed one half OF the wrongs
inflicted upon the negro nations OF
America in their ancestors by the an
cestors of the present white American
nation. In spite OF the violation OF in
terrace law involved IN the attempt to
confer suffrage upon these negro ma
lions. they are deprived OF all legitimate
national life--Of all the rational incen-
tives Of political and social ambition
and thus they lack the stimulus which
these Incentives would supply to reach
the higher grades OF scientific, artistic,
industrial, and political development.
These negro nations, although personally
emanc;pated, but still held in the land Of
their exile and of their former bondage,
are thereby dwarfed and stunted IN all
that relate to their national lille.
But the present white nation OF the
United States have inherited from their
ancestors the obligation to redress the
wrong done to those negro nations IN
their ancestors of illegally and forcibly
carrying them away from their native
land.
The discharge of this obligation will be
on the part Of the white American ma
ton not only heroic manifestation Of
national energy, magnificent display
of national resources, charitable ma
tional bounty Of unparalleled extent,
and a national missionary enterprise far
excelling in magnitude any recorded re-
hgious effort, but also, in an economical
point OF view. most profitable invest
ment.
The removal OF little more than the
annual increase of the negroes every
wear would accomplish the transporta-
ton of the whole body in one generation.
The gradual and systematic and tho
rough colonization OF Central Africa by
the negroes OF America, amply pro-
tected, aided with all necessaries in a
generous measure, and furnished with
railroad constructed from the malarious
coast to the healthy and fertile upland Of
the interior by the American people.
would not only endow the negro with
rich, extensive, and independent country,
but would also probably cause through
out the civilized world a general advance
in science, art. industry, and religious
thought similar to the general stir caused
III the civilized world by the discovery
and colonization of America.
The measure would also he equivalent
to the acquisition Of new American fer
ritory for the occupation OF the seven
millions of new inhabitants that would
take the place of those removed from
American soil. 1t would increase the
price of land in the States vacated by
tine negroes in an amount exceeding the
proper but liberal cost Of their colonial
ton.
The plan of removing the negroes TO
Africa VAS entertained by their best
friend, Abraham Lincoln, as may be seen
in the testimony or statement OF General
Is. L. Butler in the " Lincoln Remi-
nisceuces." published by a. L. Rice.
But Lincoln was diverted from Inc pan
by General Buffers suggestion and esti-
mate OF the lack of the means of trans
portation, which can now be easily sup
piled.
The subject will not here be further
discussed. as this is not the place to enter
upon details .
PHILIP c. FRIEsE.
ICopy.l
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, I
WASHINGTON, November, II, 1883.
Phiiip &. Friese, Esq, 603 north
St'ickcr street, baltimore, Nd:
Sir,-I have to acknowledge the re-
ceipt OF your interesting communication
oil the lOth instant in regard TO the colo
nization Of Central Africa by American
negroes, which will receive due consider
4 / :.