Speech #450115503

I present resolutions in the nature of a memorial of the Colored WesternEmigration Society of Charleston. South Carolina. in which. among other things. they state thatWhereas we have become convinced that the time has arrived for the colored people of the Southern States of the United States to find some new abidinaplace le themselves sad their posterity where. under the protection of a goodrvidoee. they may work out a better destiny than seems to await them here. and Whereas the necessity for such a movement on the part of these people has. in our view. attained to the stage of a plain providential demonstration. as in a like notable case was vouchsafed to Gods people in other days. and Whereas forbearing to enter upon any such examination of the causes and quesions involved in our proposed ozodus from the places of our birth as mightbo offensive to any portion of our fellowcitizens. we desiring to depart in peace. rest ing In the belief that all parties interested will recognize what itis that moves US. andl Whereas in our opinion the presence of the colored people in these States. now that. they have been assigned the place of equality before the law. (a position for them tvlwedwilth so much abhorrence hr many.) will ever boa source of irritation and discord among the peopVe of the white race of the country. and antagonizing section against section of those who otherwise might be fiends. and Whereas we are fully eatisfed that the realization of anything like justice and fair play for the colored man while he resides in these States is impossible and that it is our duty to give place to those who. all of the same race. may dwell together in harmony: And they therefore resolve that Congress be petitioned to pass the resolution now pending providing for the emigration of colored persons. I move that the resolutions lie on the table.