The Continental Monthly, Vol. III, No. V, May, 1863: Devoted to Literature and National PolicyVarious
History
The Continental Monthly, Vol. III, No. V, May, 1863: Devoted to Literature and National Policy
Various
Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; United States -- Politics and government -- 19th century -- Periodicals
How then can the public mind be assured that to emancipate the enslaved
race, to confer on them all the moral rights of humanity, does not
involve by any necessity or even remote probability, either an
internecine war of races on our own soil, or the fusion of the two races
into one homogeneous people? One answer, which satisfies many, is, the
freedmen must be colonized in some unoccupied region of the earth, where
they may be separated from the white man, and build up for themselves an
independent and homogeneous nationality. I have no controversy with this
proposed solution of the difficulty, or with the excellent men who are
advocating and promoting it, with an earnest patriotism worthy of all
honor. But I have grave doubts of the adequacy of this solution to meet
the momentous exigencies of the present crisis. At least, I feel no
necessity of resting the whole cause upon it, when there is another
solution at hand, which certainly is adequate, furnished by the very
laws of nature which the Creator has established, and so certain in its
operation, that we have only to strike the fetters from the limbs of the
poor slave, and recognize his manhood, and God will take care of the
rest, and protect our country from the evils we have so much dreaded.
That solution is found in a great law of population. It is necessary,
therefore, that I should state this law, and prove its reality, and its
adequacy to meet all the necessities of the case in hand.
Whenever two peoples, one of which is little removed from barbarism, and
the other having the full strength of a mature civilization, are placed
in juxtaposition with each other, on terms of free labor and free
competition, the stronger will always either amalgamate itself with the
weaker, or extinguish it. In the former case, civilization undergoes an
eclipse, almost an extinction. The homogeneous people resulting from
such a union, occupies a position in the scale of civilization much
nearer to that of their barbarous than that of their civilized parents.
Numerous and conclusive examples of this have occurred in the progress
of the French, Spanish, and Portuguese colonies in proximity to the
various native tribes of this continent. They have generally amalgamated
freely with their savage neighbors; and a deep eclipse of civilization
has in every instance resulted. When that eclipse is to end, we have not
the foresight to determine.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account