In the first place, there never have existed in the policy of any of the nations of Central or South America, an inequality on account of race or color, and any prohibition of rights, has generally been to the white, and not to the colored races.[6] To the whites, not because they were white, not on account of their color, but because of the policy pursued by them towards the people of other races than themselves.  The population of Central and South America, consist of fifteen millions two hundred and forty thousand, adding the ten millions of Mexico; twenty-five millions two hundred and forty thousand, of which vast population, but one-seventh are whites, or the pure European race.  Allowing a deduction of one-seventh of this population for the European race that may chance to be in those countries, and we have in South and Central America alone, the vast colored population of thirteen millions one hundred and seventy-seven thousand; and including Mexico, a colored population on this glorious continent of twenty-one millions, six hundred and forty thousand.

This vast number of people, our brethren—­because they are precisely the same people as ourselves and share the same fate with us, as the case of numbers of them have proven, who have been adventitiously thrown among us—­stand ready and willing to take us by the hand—­nay, are anxiously waiting, and earnestly importuning us to come, that they may make common cause with us, and we all share the same fate.  There is nothing under heaven in our way—­the people stand with open arms ready to receive us.  The climate, soil, and productions—­the vast rivers and beautiful sea-coast—­the scenery of the landscape, and beauty of the starry heavens above—­the song of the birds—­the voice of the people say come—­and God our Father bids us go.—­Will we go?  Go we must, and go we will, as there is no alternative.  To remain here in North America, and be crushed to the earth in vassalage and degradation, we never will.

Talk not about religious biases—­we have but one reply to make.  We had rather be a Heathen freeman, than a Christian slave.

There need be no fear of annexation in these countries—­the prejudices of the people are all against it, and with our influences infused among them, the aversion would be ten-fold greater.  Neither need there be any fears of an attempt on the part of the United States, at a subjugation, of these countries.  Policy is against it, because the United States has too many colored slaves in their midst, to desire to bring under their government, twenty-one millions of disfranchised people, whom it would cost them more to keep under subjection, than ten-fold the worth of the countries they gained.  Besides, let us go to whatever parts of Central and South America we may, we shall make common cause with the people, and shall hope, by one judicious and signal effort, to assemble one day—­and a glorious day it will be—­in a great representative convention, and form a glorious union of South American States, “inseparably connected one and forever.”