the writings-6-第18节
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
oppressed。 There is much to encourage you。 For the sake of your
race you should sacrifice something of your present comfort for the
purpose of being as grand in that respect as the white people。 It is
a cheering thought throughout life that something can be done to
ameliorate the condition of those who have been subject to the hard
usages of the world。 It is difficult to make a man miserable while
he feels he is worthy of himself and claims kindred to the great God
who made him。 In the American Revolutionary war sacrifices were made
by men engaged in it； but they were cheered by the future。 General
WASHINGTON himself endured greater physical hardships than if he had
remained a British subject； yet he was a happy man because he had
engaged in benefiting his race； in doing something for the children
of his neighbors； having none of his own。
The colony of Liberia has been in existence a long time。 In a
certain sense it is a success。 The old President of Liberia；
Roberts； has just been with methe first time I ever saw him。 He
says they have within the bounds of that colony between three and
four hundred thousand people； or more than in some of our old States；
such as Rhode Island or Delaware； or in some of our newer States； and
less than in some of our larger ones。 They are not all American
colonists or their descendants。 Something less than 12；000 have been
sent thither from this country。 Many of the original settlers have
died； yet； like people else…where； their offspring outnumber those
deceased。 The question is； if the colored people are persuaded to go
anywhere； why not there？
One reason for unwillingness to do so is that some of you would
rather remain within reach of the country of your nativity。 I do not
know how much attachment you may have toward our race。 It does not
strike me that you have the greatest reason to love them。 But still
you are attached to them； at all events。
The place I am thinking about for a colony is in Central America。 It
is nearer to us than Liberia not much more than one fourth as far as
Liberia； and within seven days' run by steamers。 Unlike Liberia； it
is a great line of travelit is a highway。 The country is a very
excellent one for any people； and with great natural resources and
advantages； and especially because of the similarity of climate with
your native soil； thus being suited to your physical condition。 The
particular place I have in view is to be a great highway from the
Atlantic or Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean； and this particular
place has all the advantages for a colony。 On both sides there are
harborsamong the finest in the world。 Again； there is evidence of
very rich coal…mines。 A certain amount of coal is valuable in any
country。 Why I attach so much importance to coal is； it will afford
an opportunity to the inhabitants for immediate employment till they
get ready to settle permanently in their homes。 If you take
colonists where there is no good landing； there is a bad show； and so
where there is nothing to cultivate and of which to make a farm。 But
if something is started so that you can get your daily bread as soon
as reach you there； it is a great advantage。 Coal land is the best
thing I know of with which to commence an enterprise。 To returnyou
have been talked to upon this subject； and told that a speculation is
intended by gentlemen who have an interest in the country； including
the coal…mines。 We have been mistaken all our lives if we do not
know whites； as well as blacks； look to their self…interest。 Unless
among those deficient of intellect； everybody you trade with makes
something。 You meet with these things here and everywhere。 If such
persons have what will be an advantage to them； the question is
whether it cannot be made of advantage to you。 You are intelligent；
and know that success does not so much depend on external help as on
self…reliance。 Much； therefore； depends upon yourselves。 As to the
coal…mines； I think I see the means available for your self…reliance。
I shall； if I get a sufficient number of you engaged； have provision
made that you shall not be wronged。 If you will engage in the
enterprise； I will spend some of the money intrusted to me。 I am not
sure you will succeed。 The government may lose the money； but we
cannot succeed unless we try； and we think with care we can succeed。
The political affairs in Central America are not in quite as
satisfactory a condition as I wish。 There are contending factions in
that quarter； but it is true all the factions are agreed alike on the
subject of colonization； and want it； and are more generous than we
are here。
To your colored race they have no objection I would endeavor to have
you made the equals； and have the best assurance that you should be
the equals； of the best。
The practical thing I want to ascertain is whether I can get a number
of able…bodied men； with their wives and children； who are willing to
go when I present evidence of encouragement and protection。 Could I
get a hundred tolerably intelligent men； with their wives and
children； and able to 〃cut their own fodder；〃 so to speak？ Can I
have fifty？ If I could find twenty…five able…bodied men； with a
mixture of women and childrengood things in the family relation； I
think；I could make a successful commencement。 I want you to let me
know whether this can be done or not。 This is the practical part of
my wish to see you。 These are subjects of very great importance；
worthy of a month's study； instead of a speech delivered in an hour。
I ask you； then； to consider seriously； not pertaining to yourselves
merely； nor for your race and ours for the present time； but as one
of the things； if successfully managed； the good of mankindnot
confined to the present generation； but as
〃From age to age descends the lay
To millions yet to be；
Till far its echoes roll away
Into eternity。〃
The above is merely given as the substance of the President's
remarks。
The chairman of the delegation briefly replied that they would hold a
consultation； and in a short time give an answer。
The President said： Take your full time…no hurry at all。
The delegation then withdrew。
TELEGRAM TO OFFICER AT CAMP CHASE； OHIO。
WAR DEPARTMENT； WASHINGTON； D。 C。； August 14； 1862。
OFFICER in charge of Confederate prisoners at Camp Chase； Ohio：
It is believed that a Dr。 J。 J。 Williams is a prisoner in your
charge； and if so tell him his wife is here and allow him to
telegraph to her。
A。 LINCOLN。
TO HIRAM BARNEY。
EXECUTIVE MANSION； WASHINGTON； August 16； 1862。
HON。 HIRAM BARNEY； New York：
Mrs。 L。 has 1000 for the benefit of the hospitals and she will be
obliged； and send the pay； if you will be so good as to select and
send her 200 worth of good lemons and 100 worth of good oranges。
A。 LINCOLN。
NOTE OF INTRODUCTION。
The Secretary of the Treasury and the Commissioner of Internal
Revenue will please see Mr。 Talcott； one of the best men there is；
and； if any difference； one they would like better than they do me。
August 18； 1862
A。 LINCOLN
TELEGRAM TO S。 B。 MOODY
EXECUTIVE MANSION； WASHINGTON
August 18； 1862
S。 B。 MOODY； Springfield； Ill。：
Which do you prefercommissary or quartermaster？ If appointed it
must be without conditions。
A。 LINCOLN。
Operator please send above for President。
JOHN HAY
TO Mrs。 PRESTON。
WAR DEPARTMENT； WASHINGTON； D。 C。； August 21； 1862。
Mrs。 MARGARET PRESTON； Lexington； Ky。：
Your despatch to Mrs。 L。 received yesterday。 She is not well。 Owing
to her early and strong friendship for you； I would gladly oblige
you； but I cannot absolutely do it。 If General Boyle and Hon。 James
Guthrie； one or both； in their discretion see fit to give you the
passes； this is my authority to them for doing so。
A。 LINCOLN。
TELEGRAM TO GENERAL BURNSIDE OR GENERAL PARKE。
WASHINGTON； August 21。
TO GENERAL BURNSIDE OR GENERAL PARKE：
What news about arrival of troops？
A。 LINCOLN。
TO G。 P。 WATSON。
EXECUTIVE MANSION； WASHINGTON； D。 C。；
August 21； 1862。
GILLET F。 WATSON； Williamsburg； Va。：
Your telegram in regard to the lunatic asylum has been received。 It
is certainly a case of difficulty； but if you cannot remain； I cannot
conceive who under my authority can。 Remain as long as you safely
can and provide as well as you can for the poor inmates of the
institution。
A。 LINCOLN。
TO HORACE GREELEY。
EXECUTIVE MANSION； WASHINGTON；
August 22； 1862。
HON。 HORACE GREELEY。
DEAR SIR：I have just read yours of the 19th； addressed to myself
through the New York Tribune。 If there be in it any statements or
assump
