If they might but start again, in a new
land, free from entanglements! Others, too, were in prison, whose crimes
were negligible, mere mistaken moves with no evil will behind them -- or, if
not so negligible, then happening often through that misery and ignorance
for which the whole world was at fault. There was also the broad and
well-filled prison of poverty, and many of the prisoners there needed only
a better start. James Edward Oglethorpe conceived another settlement in
America, and for colonists he would have all these down-trodden and
oppressed. He would gather, if he might, only those who when helped would
help themselves -- who when given opportunity would rise out of old slough
and briar. He was personally open to the appeal of still another class of
unfortunate men. He had seen upon the Continent the distress of the poor
and humble Protestants in Catholic countries. Folk of this kind -- from
France, from Germany -- had been going in a thin stream for years to the New
World. But by his plan more might be enabled to escape petty tyranny or
persecution. He had influence, and his scheme appealed to the humane
thought of his day -- appealed, too, to the political thought. In America
there was that debatable and unoccupied land south of Charles Town in South
Carolina. It would be very good to settle it, and none had taken up the
idea with seriousness since Azilia had failed. Such a colony as was now
contemplated would dispose of Spanish claims, serve as a buffer colony
between Florida and South Carolina, and establish another place of trade.
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