366 UNCLE TOM’S CABIN; OR,

republic—a republic formed of picked men, who by energy and
self-educating force, have in many cases, individually, raised
themselves above a condition of slavery. Having gone through
a preparatory stage of feebleness, this republic has at last become
an acknowledged nation on the face of the earth—acknowledged
both by France and England. There it is my wish to go, and
find myself a people.

‘“T am aware, now, that I shall have you all against me; but,
before you strike, hear me. During my stay in France, I have
followed up, with intense interest, the history of my people in
America. I have noted the struggle between abolitionist and
colonisationist, and have received some impressions, as a distant
spectator, which could never have occurred to me as a participator.

«“T grant that this Liberia may have subserved all sorts of pur-
poses, by being played off, in the hands of our oppressors, against
us. Doubtless the scheme may have been used, in unjustifiable
ways, as a means of retarding our emancipation. But the ques-
tion to me is, Is there not a God above all man’sschemes? May
He not have overruled their designs, and founded for us a nation
by them ? |

“In these days a nation is bornin a day. A nation starts now
with all the great problems of republican life and civilisation
wrought out to its hand; it has not to discover, but only to apply.
Let us, then, all take hold together with all our might, and see
_ what we can do with this new enterprise, and the whole splendid
continent of Africa opens before us and our children. Our nation
shall roll the tide of civilisation and Christianity along its shores,
and plant there mighty republics, that, growing with the rapidity
of tropical vegetation, shall be for all coming ages.

“Do you say that I am deserting my enslaved brethren? I
think not. If I forget them one hour, one moment of my life,
so may God forget me! But what can I do for them here?
Can 1 break their chains? No, not as an individual ; but let me
go and form part of a nation which shall have a voice in the
councils of nations, and then we can speak. A nation has a
right to argue, remonstrate, implore, and present the cause of
its face, which an individual has not.

“Tf Europe ever becomes a grand council of free nations—
as I trust in God it will—if there serfdom, and all unjust and
oppressive social inequalities are done away; and if they, as
France and England have done, acknowledge our position—then,
in the great congress of nations, we will make our appeal, and
present the cause of our enslaved and suffering race; and it
cannot be that free, enlightened America will not then desire
to wipe from her escutcheon that bar sinister which disgraces
her among nations, and is as truly a curse to her as to the
enslaved.

“ But you will tell me our race have equal rights to mingle

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