OCR Interpretation


Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, July 19, 1832, Image 1

Image and text provided by West Virginia University

Persistent link: https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84026784/1832-07-19/ed-1/seq-1/

What is OCR?


Thumbnail for

NO. 21.
s^*SrAtf?aaSsrJak
33EU?« 53fffcS!CS£fe £M
J' ,|W lav^rct. of the (^InnixMioa Sehcvnr
1' lrT*7‘>M ,,n. w.*ir> •°f ou*a*Kna»on. that
"«fre ••• mxIum joa not to grant our anx
ious ami Mncm rvqurtl
of **? h5***«* » ~u.
-snho oura.lv*. your fr,.^. ^ ob^ient ^
’*,ta> 'V M. YATES,
KAU.AIIEK.
, » ANDREW HUNTER,
J«« J- Biows.t^ C’MMioa.
r._„ . . J . wu s, im
CiWTWWMrr—A hop. (Rat I might be in*m
mrt.t.1 in mohing known the principle, and de
«**• f«nd«, «f your
"#eU T* ta 'Wivwr the addma, a
*•«“*• kunor tergal
■ TV T"T^T* *°m Induces oae to waive per
End .cheerfully to m^JTu
~lzz £2^&21SU"“*“ rf rnf°"“
M"» Wmm. Tm.r* * BR°" "
J*W s. GtLuin,
Aiaatw Hl'btkb.
ORATION OF JOHN J. BROWN, ESQ. -
Delivered fa tie Episcopal Church i« ClarUe
tewn, July 4, tut
Fellow CiTiaaaa:—The Officers and Maoa
*rr* °*,b« Colouiaatiou Society of JHTeraoo
•mJrWdj^jdR wp^lion, to impose on
full**of appealing to the enlighter^d ai!d bel
—voles*, te behalf of Use institution over which
sset &tt&?sasy
mu* afford no ordinary pleasure; M M latere*!
jjC-oamjten a. the ranivenmy of Amenun
freedom Acadon founded in the purest priaei
ple. and cherished by the noble* fJeling^^
cites emotions of bigli delight, Though u,Qualified
Hjmt^SiL90,k"i7U ** *'>'0'k' j««ior to,
aahje* so iaaportant aad so sublime aa such an in
yjz-jssm t2"*• - •ponSXce
f«xix?& Siagr»*y?«f^*
fdlov-citimcna, far no common oteert of mtere**
ambition or amusement. So ujfith vir ,7^’
mxt "““ule *Mh our feeling, and
stimulate our passions. The object whh£ »*.
ragsM* ourattenUon is of a nature to elevate and
ponfy our affections, for it is replete with chants
and tacriy t to unite and enlarge smr hearts, for ft
lathe aonunon aanae of humanity; to command
•ndrrT,<t*fori*
tinction both of ivasou and religion. A design as
important as human fife, aa extraaive aim..* as
human miaarira, aad combining tlie mblime*
eftSr Tin H 1
I Whatever diversity of opinions, principles, or
“•**■«». w* »*▼ •omeCmea exhibit, on this day 1
aod on this oaoaano, our minds and oar hearts
morn in harmony. It will not be expected, 1
truat, us performing the duly assigned him, that
their humble organ will rater into any phyaiolo
r'lT*ne* or •eieniific discussions, but that
permitted to take such a view of the I
principles aad design of the Colonisation In*j.!
tation, — may have a tendency to animate our
own exertions in promoting its object, and to re
wMamrod the auaicty to the notice and regard of
But.it may he asked, is it possible that a tocir
the hhpplneaa d a p ation of our feUne.beings
j ffTWri>.*0rTOW» distress and misery .to exalt mid
depressed and degraded bumankr re
V rc.adtekmiossa and appSl. l„ ’» t
it sot enough go announce the ex isteace id wk
aa iastitauon, to samp aad claim the wm. and
mah an iastifntion, to cm.
■ ■“* ^ hhUrty ta exercise them» Are not
J* •» privilege,! eets
ditioa, and all the rewards of ordinary ambition
l**r«r TZSS* **>*”«*•* wkh the exquisite
the weaos ef heoevolencr so truly godlike aa
tememmg r««ow men from unspeakable degra
d* w»fi aad diffusing the light of joy aod grati
tude^ through a popahdioa hairing the unerring
marks ofjarrww. anguish, and Barbarian ign£
me, •"> sentiments aad inquiries
■"* »■ »*hda already warmed
w™\ "'•••mwhaw aad enjoying its rich re
wards. But ta obtain the aooutrawuce of others,1
** *•“** ia fW feelings sod
i^^a^XSira- w *"*«"•
°#* »*• *re apt to disregard others even of
plflilMMl ituporta/iff,
Whether devoted to ambition, or enslaved to in
tefwat, or aewsoad hy pleasure and tusunr, we
amallk* table to pass unnoticed mMitutictes of
charity aad general utility.
.i n***. 77 r* ■0**’ Pb*rrred AM the »r* queli
tice aad hlgbea frcuhie, of oor rattan miy be
•Pte"*-»ire, prauniary, or
*^r* •f •• »• grow Indifferent, if
not maenalMe, to the eteima of misfortune and
o**rrM. » vT,.. .» presumed, ever acquire sorb
l.anlihood ef teaenubilky as to view a fellow
cr-atare involved la affliction, and .larger, and
like the merciless aad anpkying Lent. , pass by
aa the other aide." Kerry natural feeling and
every virtuous sentiment, mu* be wholly subdued
and debased in that heart, which, thus beholding
•rrtebednraa, withholds relief. Yet .toes not
rtprrioaee prove, that there are some who eould
w* witness eueh tfistrrat widsont pain, and will
"Wl w*h tediffleenae a society formed to
fvlieve U' Arc there rat some »h*sr In-arts
•^miagljr dilate and expand with the melting
Mentions * pity, who delight to moirtm with
^ r •T*"5«*heua tears the reeordrd euffrrings of
—• tit tout duress, but who be*ow not a thought
"v an effort of a aoeusy whose primary pnrpoar
•i «n seek nut objects of res! suffering and allevi. |
dr the miseries af real lift* Are there rat some
affluent fortunes enahlr them la gratify (lie
iw* benevolent withes in aiding aneh societies,
•ki take not the (rouble even te esamine their 1
* to heaoma acquainted with their dr
upu*
■* there rat also some wlso really possess
—mane and charitable fe, lings, (though they dn
kx <W.nk nAewer then they should of rsTl.ng them
«**,) and who, te order tu the f ell devrlop
,lkr'r lw"i*irw'i require a eonrte
Thea it aassrat hr wnareaoraMr ee improper to
^ fU*— Ae (tebmlantion hraiety, amt
" Hu tar,id * hy every argument aod rvsry ap>
r’T It I. only neeeaseiy to >mf«4d Ms principles,
»«!>oss the grandem ef in 4e4gw, aod point to
^l-*^m,iemeore theeutim ran."reran, of rvery
Art tl.mka, and every heart theft feels In m
Ac results at their labors rad follow
,** Ar progress (he cotenv has mads from Ha
!m rtWIrnseut on a email istend, * ant
. oeenpymg an rntemave aneet, i re
''tive, w*h a climate pnwliarly the
/Jr**** rtmrtitmion.the (rmnda ef A teg
•Arm. bw mnah to reward their h aa
"*% *° f«*»th an additi.mal impnlaa la fur
•fr* rta, and fraocragrtnent te aorountrr re
-M- ■ ’ ***■
bvli: nzzt t~~rir* —**«««<
by the Amtim people ia the colon. 1*4,0* u
expectaunn. r* the benevolent engaged in lb,
?*”^g ■*»'°«* ream*— Cor the belief that i
,hc r4?* »* LH,rrU» f«»«
ttelaeept oaof the ,4^ baa Wet. laid before tin
b,cb have been received la almost everv vill*^
,T'*<r*c rrportv contain i'albrioa
r reUtir<? *° “* orranitMi m of ibe aocittv, it,
!of eapeditim a fitted out t«
.l •MmkcT °* rtuierauta, the manage
n the ( »it> <l Htatca, the manner of applvint
Urn inter
rata of tW aeeirty or the doty of it. manager. U
th« people required to be riven, lint tin* ru»ai
”, •pCr*‘1 lf‘r0,*5h m“"v *°l,tioet,
winch all do not poaarea, and which few pr.ibablt
**££?*• T nation to examine. ^ J
»th a view, (ben, to the removal of miaappre
iT**”';*^* “•T powibly Mill eaiM in refer
, <mee to the pol icy and measure* of the sock-tv, and
to MBWa the Ml and exertion* of its friend*, i
eoijden^ Matemn.t of feet* will be presented.
> 1 ^obo.ixaUon A awn ialion «ai
tormed in 1114. It was the remit of the intro*
bT^hTwh!oh w«* r‘At at that time
•C‘br W*« «* *®Anr—davea and
In aitavi a. The evil was experienced and ac
knowledged brail, .nd the diflCotvofremoving
« wa. a. generally admitted. After tlx >2
*b,CV Wr »“^ ‘*ct1, the Mumc
r*»* proportion* which were made, and the nia
ay ennilietteg and variant opinion* advanced,
winch threatened an abandonment of everv mode
of effectuating the great and holy objert-tlir
propoaitioa to eMabliah a tocirtv,characterized by
unexceptionable prireiplea, waa received
approbation. The plan of
I jetin*l^®oc4,t)r “f Colonizing Free Feo
^ °f ^°*or of the l nited Stat<-s,rnibra<-ed tuch
pnimpirt Its founder* n-cognized alar err as
•*"■} *«d grow ing evil; hot regarding itaaa
IhOftt Ucllfilll* mllhTl riknalile va n.v ana - - ->t»l >
iMtMutioaa, and the utter incompatibility of the
condition of the colored p qmlatioo with their
(pint, wcsw convinced, that to eulip the moral
taBocttcc of an enlightened public opinion,
would Ik- the moat effectual mean* of advancing
their cause. Studious to avoid all interference
with U>e qwmtimi of slavery, they proposed tho
e«tabl<d.ment of a colony on the roast of Africa
i 1”^* trre^people of color—believing that there
to th^ iraninally free might become free indeed;
that such a colour would be an efficient instru
ment in subverting tin- Have trade, and that it*
etnu-iH* would he a atrwig indueemrwt to (lie
tmancipation of slave*, forth* purpose of eolo
•itiivtg them. Such it the origin mmI Mich Are
the priDciulrA of the Colonisation Hocirty Thr
colony of Liberia ha* been planted a little more
than t-n years, and now there arc two th-jiisaad
emigrants combined with several thousands of
the natives whb have united themselves with ihe
emigrants for protection. They have schools,
churches, ami ail the iastitutious of civilised life,
and are in a highly prosperous and flourithing
condition. Tl»e letters accompanying the last
report ol the parent society, furnish most en
couraging information. One of tlu- writer*, un
der dale of Washington, February 10, lid*, ob
serves:
••All the Colonists appeared to be in good
health. All my expectations in regard to the
aspect of things, the health, harmony, order,
contentment, industry, and general prosperity of
the settlers were more than realized. There are
about two hundred buildings in the town of Mon
rovia. extending along the Cape Mootserado,
not far from a mile and a quarter. Moat of theae
are good substantial houses and stores, (the first
•tore of many of them being of atone,}and some
of them handsome, spacious painted, and with
Yrnrtian blinds. Nothing struck me at more
remarkable than the great superiority, in intelli
gence, i,tanners, conversation, die**, and general
appearance in every rrspret, of the people over
their colored brethren in A men rn. So much was
1 pleased with what I aw, that I observed to the
f*°P**v *ko*ld 1 make a true repost, it would
■aralr ha credited im the United Stales. Among
•II that I aonversed with, I did not And a
disaasuroted person, or hear one ex press a de
sire to return to America. I mw M iatrm
peranee, nor did I hear a profane word uttered
by any one. Ueing a Minister of the Gospel,
on Christmas day I presetted both in the Metlm
diat sml Ba|Aist Church, to full and attentive
congregation* of from three to four hundred uer
wms hi each. I know of no pi see where the 8*b
baSli appears to be mote respected titan in Mon
rovia. I waa glad to are Hurt the Colonial Agent
or governor ia a constant attendant on Divine *er
vioe, and appears desiroui of promoting the moral
and religious welfare of Hie people. Mote of the
settlers appear to be rapidly acquiring proper
trt and 1 have ao doubt they are doing better for
themselves and their children in IJoeria, than
•hey could do in any other part of the world.—
Cotdd the free people of color in this country but
•re the real condition of their brethren who bavo
•etUed in Africa, 1 am persuaded they would re
jpirt wo other motive tu induce them to emigrate,
this Is nty decided ami deliberate judgment.
I have several times dined with the Colonists,
and think no better Ublris'Hild he set in any part
of the world. We had eve r thing that heart
aowtd desire, of meats, and fiah, and fowls, sod
vegetables, and wines, k* ke.”
And yet the founders of ibis colony werr re
garded hy some as visionary enthusiasts and ro
mantic innovators. Arc them thr results of wild
delimni and Utopian madness* If an. Urn, waa
threw •* reason In their madness. ” The effect of
the plan, an far, proves its adequacy. Supported
by the pillar* nf Charity and Justice, canopied by
appro*lug Heaven, the termination of their la
bors must be auspisious, and the restoration of
eaeh one of this unhappy rare to the land of hi*
forefathers—n transition from thraldom to free
dom, will rrrnle an addiltosiwl tahht, maaribed
with tl»e imperishable glory of every patriot and
philanthropist, who was instrumental in I the
formal ion or pmaeyiaiow nf an rnterpvim ao
arvot. and a design ao laudable. As with all other
In tlHut ions * It»eli arc extensive in their opera
tion* and ben-Arial in thrir effects, attachment
to eonfrvwed habit, temporary net jodiec, anti Ihe
rsrilt-ment nf passion, may sib-nee the voire of
reason for * time, and delay that justice which,
sooner or later, the subject * iH demand and ob
tain. Devotion to interest, thr devsrw In aoctv
mulate property and to mereaso K. and Ihe forue
nf long habit, rouse to art loti every feeling of ty
iwiittnw to any scheme proposing an innovatina
in tonn'f dowwaUe or social rrhunts, hut ohnh
subsidies so soon as beueAl ia ohvitmvly fell to re
suit from iti and, whew •' faith is rosiverled into
vision and amjerturr into laet,** is mlnhirt] and
hoard no mom.
Tho proposition to svIooim tba “froe
people of color,” struggled with inurh of
this opposition; but, to the. honor of Ihe A
merirnn people, it overcame It. To the ho
nor of mankind, hut few are now found rais
atheir voices against It. Rvery thing br
>ns tho sasedy dissolution of the mana
cles of bondage, ami Ihe conversion of a
now demoralized and d»* franc hired race info
a grant and mighty people, inhabiting a great
and mightj empire, and taking a place with
the rest of the nation* of the earth. The
period which now present# itself to our view,
is fraught with promises of melioration to
the unfortunate of every land, and teem*
with great eseats which are so many memo
rable epochs in tba affairs of men.
The place! of the different nations of Ihe
earth, hi tho political teal*, are now in a
r | great measure established—the balance o
, P«*«;ris b.ginn,Bg, i„ some ^ U
r -**»d Uieprogrrw.ive advjnccmcn
i °* civUuation, with all its coocumitanl arts
. sciences, conveniences, and improvement*
1 E?e| “'T"" lh>‘ greet anus of man
kind w ill, ere lung, be extricated from thai
profound abyss ol ignorance and superstition
in which they have, even in the most ew
lightened age* and nations, ever been im
me reed. History presents to the eye of rea
son and humanity, the shocking spectacle ol
,an extensive system of slavery existing a
uioug the nations of antiquity.
‘ * general view of Uie social
system of Rome, under tho republican ami
imperial governments, we behold the rigor
ous treatment of slaves in the early m
***“» ‘n,‘hc later times of the Emperors, ws
see and contemplate with pleasure the grcnl
improvement of their condition. Christiani
ty i with a variety of other causes, conduced
to mitigate their hardships. The conquesl
and siihversiou of the empire by the north
ern nations, by reducing the slaves and theu
masters to the same stale of vilianage undci
the feudal system, in a great measure anni
hilated the custom of ah-volute personal sla
very, as it had theretofore existed among the
Romans. After the Turks and other nation*
bad conquered the empire of tho Caliphs,
they again introduced the Roman custom ol
subjecting to slavery Uie prisonin. of war;
and the lame practice, in a spirit of retalia
I ”ont was followed by the Crusaders.
1 * soon as the fanatic enthusiasm of the
1 ”M**°U* w>r* Place to the calm and
digmbcd solemnity of true religion, and the
veil of ignorance was removed from the
minds of wen, the whole system of slavery
was gradually- abolished, aud in many parts
(of Europe, owing to a combination of causes,
I the feudal system itself at lost disappeared.
Oh that the abolition of slavery in Europe,
| had blotted out forever from the fair page
•of creation, so foul, so black . • *».?.
I how melancholy, how humiliating, that its
j ®*lu»ction in Europe was so soon succeeded
by iu establishment in America! Ves, in
this land so highly tu be favoured—in this
enlightened Republic, where Liberty seems
: to have fixed ner lasting reside nee—where
j the desire of being free burned in the bosom
ot our heroes when liberty seemed totally
, cxtiurt—it raised it* loathsome, giant form,
like famed Medusa’s head. The heart of
j the patriot sickens at its contemplation ; the
philanthropist diverts his pensive eye in dis
consolate^ sadness from the hideous rctro
-pect! From this grievous rumination, the
uiind must seek relief in the reflection, that
it remains for the patriots of America to tail
them that they too are free—"bone of thy
bone, and flesh and blood of thine”_to show
forth to them the path to liberty, and place
them in a situation to enjoy it.
The time is propitious—our country en
joys uninterrupted peace—every tiling is fa
vourable U> the gradual attainment of the
great cud iu view, so conducive to the hap
piness of an unfortunate portion of our spe
rhss, and the improvement of the moral con
dition of man. tat us succinctly dwell on
the present aspect of the world, and contem
plate for a moment its rapid advancement iu
the social virtues, and the coraparatircly ge
neral diffusion of the blessings of knowledge
and peace, which should cause the friends of
Africa to indulge, in rapturous joy, anticipa
tions of the consummation of tbeir grand amt
glorious purpose! Modern Europe, which
ha- presented one broad field of blood, which
has been ronvul-cd from one extremity to
the other by internal dissensions and provin
cial wars, now wears the habiliments of
profound pence end general prosperity_
Constitutional liberty and well organised go
vernments have succeeded despotic usurpa
tions, and the intolerance of superstitious
fanaticism, and infidel profanity, Lave been
supplanted by the doctrines of that holy re
ligion, at once the hope and consolation of
man. To this, there are some exceptions,
and none more to be lamented than the rol
cent unsuccessful struggle for rational liber
ty, of the brave, the generous, the heroic,
(he noble Poles. Rut to Poland, we hope
the rightousne** of her rause, and the aid
from Heaven, invoked by the tear* of a brave
and high-minded people, endeared to us by
recollections of the past, wheo,in the gloomy
days of the Revolution, her gallant sons are
found fighting under our banner, and freely
shedding their blood in the achievement of
American Independence, will yet secure full
and retributive justice. The thick mist,
which has for centuries enveloped Asia iu
intellectual darkness, is begun to be dissipa
ted. The effort* of missionaries have bevh
influential in the partial removal of those
savage and barbarous custom-which wero
las incompatible with natural reason as they
i were loathsome and repugnant to Christia
nity. The religion of the Brahmins and of
the Lama of Thibet, are destined ere long
to fall; aud the odious systems of I'm and
Confucius, are tottering and crumbling to
their base. The power of the Turk, which
' has been stren/tliening for centuries over the
weakened energies of Clrcrre, begin* in
i some degree to relax. The citadel of the
IUraeks, that refuge of religion ami liberty.
, civil and political, Iron* barbarian cruelty
land infidelity, has fallen ’tis true, but can It
I b* *hat the usurpatHHi* by an infidel race,
of a country the most beautiful—the hallow
,pd spit, where, at so early a period, the di
j vine precepts of revelation were propounded
and lurulcatod, are ever to hold in vassal
i JR* the descendant* of Leonidas and Aristi
jdcs* Can it be, that the crescent is ever to
j lie substituted for the cross?—Forbid it Hea
ven! It cannot be. The inspirations of l.i
1 lierty. the ftrvid and generous sentiments
infu*r<I into our hearts by reading the bisfo
. fj of tLtir valotirons dee«U—of the virtues of
* an I'pamiuondas, will not jiermit us to doubt
ihst that poop<e, the brilliancy of whose ea
1 reer, and the lustre of whose renown, will
i be the standard for emulation of ail suereed
mg time, will again enjoy the inestimable
privileges of Sovereign Freedom. If we re
turn and east our eyas upon our own eont*
. nent, wc behold among the little republics
of Kmitb America a eoniest for pre-eminence
1 w the moral so t political advancement uf
their population and institution*. Thera we
1 behold the gradual extirpation of Pagan
Jarfcness and idolatry ; there we behold obla
; tioe» of meaner at the veered altar of Itherly.
I In one of bar repubi.es, wa bava even *a>ia
legislative enactment* for tbs abolition, ia
j time, of their system of slavery.
It is not unfrcquentl, said, that many pub
lic societies are formed rather for ostentation
| than utility; that the charitable may fad
j a lUitn the sphere which they n#ove, ob
f jrctv of misery sjflfoient to mmmai.-! their
r bounty ; and it happens almost as often, that
1 tboan who make such InUmattou* are not the
t most distinguished either for private or pub
, lie benefactions. Benevolence, which is so
i morbidly sensitive, on all occasions, as to
shrink from observation, may justly be sus
pecied to be not peculiarly active and sigi
i last even in “doing aims iu secret.” In sur
veying the map of the world, shall we hi
dissuaded, by auch uncharitable allusion*.
’ !"*■ regarding, for a moment, unhappy, iu
jurod, fallen, down-trodden Africa? May
wa not empress the hope, that by the uwtru
menlality of the Colonization Society, she
* Ml soon stand by her sistar empires in the
full enjoyment of their common, unaliena
ble and chartered rigliU, with the orowo of
true American Liberty on her brow—that
•11 Africa may soon rival its own once illus
trious fcgjpt, in manners, customs, polite
ncss, and the wisdom of it* laws? Will it
be isid any k>uger, that they are incapable
of civilization, that they are bound down
by the irresistible decrees of fate in the
depths of innata ignorance and stupidity?_
Would such a sentiment be fortified by fact
and truth ? Hava we not all seen among them
much good sense and natural endowment, the
elements for forming a community of a highly
respectable character? Without education,
reared in the bumbic.it manner, subject to
the unbridled control of their masters, the
dumb instruments of labor, their duties
scarcely requiring the momentary operation
or thought, is it not w underfill that they aam
•o enlightened, so intelligent? Many of
them do wear the appearance of stupidity_
“ Tf*»/"'Me»P mdness, sullenly resigned.
He feel* his body *s bondage in his mind;
PutsoflT his generous nature, sad to suit
llis manner* with his rate, pulton the brute.”
If they possessed intellect of the highest
order, could we expect to see iu fruiU
whilst trammelled by the shackles of bondage ?
W * might, with as much reason, anticipate
a rich harvest, without the warm and ge
nial rays of the sun, as a general exhibition
of mind among a People who enjoy not the
radiant warmth of liberty. It is not the on
iv cvideDfA wttfts*li ^_
this country hare w itnessed, of the decay,
bodily and mental, resulting from cruelty
and oppression.
It U not possible, if our consciences are
® ,*° *en,lbllity. thst the wrongs, the
ills, of the hunted, persecuted "Red Men,"
have been erased from our memories_
W here, then, are the tribes which once
traversed the lands we now occupy, in the
innocent pursuit of game to supply their sim
ple board P The small surviving bands, in
gloomy despondency, are quitting tbe land
of their father*, and,driven by despair and tbe
rigid exaction* of an ungrateful people, are
retiring farther and farther, till the dismal
cliffs of the far removed West, as tbe boun
dary line of a nation'a magnanimity, will slay
their wandering*. There, gatbenog them
•elves together, living monuments of the
^l*0***1 ingratitude, after recounting their
manifold wrongs, will surrender up »it it their
once proud and valiant spirits, an existence
which repeated injuries have rendered intol
erable any longer.
It is with nations and communities as with
individuals. When misfortunes mark their
rictim, sorrow assails him, and an unfeeling
world laugh st bis calamities, then fell* hi*
manly form, fortunate if he bate those a
round him, willing to perform the “last'md
| ?**ce”.of interment. A very learned F.ag
,tb writer thus remarks on the country and
poDulstioa of Africa: •• In the bosom of its
snidest woods and mountains, there htrk in
many an unsuspected retreat, scenes of tbe
•oot soft end pastoral beauty. Even amid
its moral darkness, there shine forth virtue*
which would do honor to human society in
its most refined and exalted state. A tender
flow uf domestic affection generally pervades
African society. Signal displays, too, have
been mada of the most generous hospitality*
and travellers who were on the point of pe
rishing, have been befriended and saved by 1
absolute strangers, and even by enemies."—
Tbe distinguished travellers. Park, Denham,
•nd Cbppenon, speak also in terms of com
mendation, With testimony like this, scep
tical indeed must be that mind which doubts
for a moment that they are a people suscepti
bl# of tbe highest improvement. There can
be no more difficulty in civilising and chris
tianizing Africa, than there was m regard to
many countries which now figure on tl*e page
of history. When Italy, Greece, and other
countries which have held the most coaspic
uous places on the rrsnd theatre of the world,
were unknown and "unsung," Africa, which
once constituted an integral part of the po
litical and social systrms of antiquity, includ
ed Egypt and Carthage, which attracted
the attention of the « or hi as tbe first seats of
regularly established governments. In tbe
patriarchal ages, when scripture represents
the Mesopotamian Plain, the scene of the fu
ture empires of Babylon and Assyria,** little
more than a barren a aste, Egypt was a great
and powerful kingdom. And when Greece
w*s under the tumultuary away of a multitude
of petty chieftains, Homer already cele
brates the hundred pies of Thebes* Egypt
wa# illustrious also luf the first approach to
alphabetical writing by bierngl)phieal em
blem*, and the first exhibitions of painting,
sculpture, and architecture. The Egyptian*
•ml Phoenician* colonised anil enl-ghteaed
"classic Greece.** Home, "the mistress of
tbe ootid," was ftxiuded by rvlue ees from
•ached and fallen Trwy Fugitives horn Rome
settled countries in Europe now rich end
powerful Asia received her literature from
Africa* Europe from Asisi and America from
I Europe. Thus we find that one noon try |*o*
been dependent upon another for it* improve
ment in knowledge and population, from the
»ng*n of the world to ll*e present limey end
that there is an alternate ele v at inn and de pres
••on in the affairs e4 all nations* and to judge
of the character of a people when they are
either at the ebb or floe- of prosperity, is to
place a very inaccurate estimate upon them
ought not America to rejoice that on oppor
tunity offers to do so act *>f justice tn her
turn, sad imitate the example uf the nath-ns
(gun*before her* Incolunisiwg Africa by men
descended from • common stock, there te o*.
dreed that the ocenesof blooddrrowmg wit a4
, * be settlement of the colonies in this coon
.try, will bo acted sgsin. They or* oil ha
[ there of the some parent*, assimilated by cho
Or sod complexion, having common fee),
omf deposition*
is horrors of a Revolution, nnr the eon
on* of wor, follow t he plan r>f the colon,
j rntion soriety: Its fulfilment *41 booepeoce
l ful as it* design w brnesnleuf. Nntbvug bn*
ever been or ever »7TI be done to affect in the
.alightesl degree tba relaiioc subsist iaw be
m***er •***! slave, except so far as tbe
mural uiflucucs of such an inathutien Dtay
hava a tendency to occaaioe voluntary caan
opal 1011 o« tbe contrary, (be society would
bo aa alow to interfere with what u baa si
waya recagnizod aa properly ft.arat.lied by
• bo Coast i tut too and tba laws, as such iolcr
..rence ■®“ld bo unwelcome to tba ownars
ami mconsistent with its own high character
It does not dcairo universal, immediate, and
Mtnultanoooa amnodpntion. On lha contm
ry. it onuld detwwcnte it ns strenuously aa tbe
largest slaveholder ia the bod. It is well a
U*f.<ooueerjueocei, if it were prac
ici-ble, would be ruinous to the master, pre
judicial la the slave, almost fatal to our go
vern meal and to tbe coJoey f»r whose pm
penty sod tuccees it fee It such deep concern
k* expected manumission of abvea, with e
vmw to colonising them, b n topic often
blended with tbe consideration of tbe rtrlon
•»»ng scheme(and although tbe question does
not come under its province, la there nay
“'u~1 **•*»" »»»7 k may not properly come
within the pale of ita ulterior purposes end
•T so, why jealousy or excitement should be
lelt by slaveholders' Jealousy' No! Ameri
can citizens are too patriotic to be on short
sighted (too generous to be so mercenary i
«oo mteUignat to be ae ignorant ef tbeir
ngbta, if they were even sought to be invnd
j J*** know slavery is an evil, a confess
ed, destructive evil. They know it is sap
P«ng tbe foundations ef our country's bappi.
****** Tb«7 know it ia a moral, national
eurae, paralysing eurevery energy, sod west
»ng eur Mrangtb.—a pestilent, cancerous mil
dew, mouldering tbe green fields ef mar far
tile vs I leys,—ea insatiable vampyro, preying
«pon the body politic, and exhausting its
life s blood. And we, in our graves, wiu be
the subjects of babb reft.ctloEby porierit^
•f, supine and listless, we entail it with all its
arrumubtiog and desolating influences upon
them, wbsn all remedy will be hopeless and
•very corrective be applied in vain.
And are tbe abvea not capable of feeling
end dwelling upon the injuries inflicted upon
them from time impennal.' It b enough
aierely to intimate to be understood. To our
ancient and honoured common wealth, is tbe
praise due for having led the way in the cm
mde against slavery; she having been tbe
I •bilst under tbe colonial government,
! *o oppose by legisbtive authority the impor
tatien of slaves. And shall it ever be said of
her, m after times— there is tbe fsrr domala
where the bitter cup of ebvery was first over
thrown, snd not following up ber first benign
impulse, there ia tbe spot new "
„_ “Where cruelty
Keaehetl forth a eon of wormwood to tbe lips
^ •orrow, that to deeper sorrow wailed'"
The whole union are alike concerned in
tbe removal of tbe free blacks. The chief
mm of tbe society is to colooise that class.— I
They are probably more debased than tbe
slaves. Seeing that their freedom exists only
in name, degraded in tbeir own esteem, they
»n many instances fall victims to tbe offended
lawsi their intercourse with the slaves is mis
chievous in tbe extremet they are the bank
ers generally of plundered goods—thereby
rendering themselves liable to punishment,
crowding tbe penitentiaries at public ex
P«t»ee, and corrupting those af tbe slaves
oho deal with them. It is conceded with
pleasure, that there are many honorable ex
ceptional but, in tbe main, this is tbe true
°f that portion ef the colored popu
lation:
“ They live, and are despised; they die, oor morr
are named."
When they are colonized, we may confident
ly look forward to tbe happy liberation of all
the slaves, in lbn courts of time, and to tbe
total suppression of that moat nefarious tref
ne,—the slave trade. And can we despair,
we recur to tbe unpropitieus beginning
m this society, and mark the rapid progress
a has made, and ita comparatively prosper
ou« Mate at tbe present time' Supported at
first only by a few individuals; receiving se
cession day after day; securing tba counts
naace of a Washington, a Marshall, a Car
roll. a Clay, a Pitzbugb, and all tba boat of
«ke tnagaaiea of tbe lead, and tbe force of
public opinion, is there louger room to doubt?
Jf these hopes are not illusory, soon will be
pi raveled the imposing spectacle of Africa
reclaimed; extending north and south nearly
S000 miles, instead of lbs theatre of tbe most
inhuman butcheries and vaadatism,ahe will be
the bu»y scene of an nctire, intelligent pew
pie. engaged in all the pursuits of civilized,
enligl.isi.ed mem and tbe united colonies of
Good Hope, Sierra Leone, snd Liberia, will
oppose snd overthrow tbe slave trade—that
•courge aad disgrace to mankind. Physical
P«*«r will then accomplish what the power
ful energies, vigorous intellects, sad geaer 1
E’.!!U,U #f “'I'1*? - Bwk*' p»“. Kw. and j
Wilberforee, P***” **d labored foe in vain !
In otder to place the subject in its real, tin- >
disguised light, (if | bars not been already
more prolix than comports with tbe patience i
of my inrbilgeat audience,or more diffuse tksn
my duty requires,) permit me to quote a few
practical statistical facta. Last of the Itidge
in %'trgiaia, the Marks ksve gained on tbe
whites 106,176 in the last forty years, not
withstanding the continual skip meat to tbe
southern states of immense numbers— mek
mg s majority of blscks in that part of tbe
"!***• #' 1 *** ■*••• coot sis*
about 30,000 free blaeks-tbff siath n# the
• hole number in the United States. At fits. *
nbirb is the supposed sum adequate t# the
* •*ch» * would require
. 30,000 dollar*—an amount of appalling j
magnitude to individual*, but small when
created by equal contributions, without con- *
atilsrmg the * sal at acre of tmr sister states, of i
!*• S**rf*l government, or of cur own legs*.
Uture. Tbe number of the free coloured ,
population m the United States, is estimated
•* -100,000, and the sum af four and a tmM p
nnihoos would be necessary to pay tbffW par- 1
mge oise the At Is a tic An amount which
migM easily be lumiaked by tba gvaeml ro
verament, as tbe national debt will be can
sailed .a a; fitw mere months. One fnurtb af
the annualarsrplnareveane would acenmphsh
• be abject I ha total number af rokmred |
penpU. heo andI slave* in tbe United Males, !
•• •"!*»•• there hundred t bourn# d. sad
nttle wore then tbe sneples revenne ef two
I /.*T“***y ‘*•*•7 the eeat ef aandmg all -
And dees it nee behove the wisdom af the
| aetiue to find seme ndaquste mesas ef relief'
| ,r«m the threatened enlamky' And tn lb*
| end tbe needful fend# most ha supplied.
| f-negroes is the gwardbm of tba rights, net >
I of Ike prase nl gens ret birr only, bet «f pstn
I rdy t and hnwevae remote may be the pari- 1
' od, the time nsit eem*.* ban the <UIBr "'*lt\
grawteff oat of a slave population. whsteser
m*j be their oature, will be amplified to aw
extant that would be absolutely ir.ea„d„
ble. WbaUvir inconvenience, ojafcarrass
asont or dancer can be foreseen, rouin n. I
with that subject, must affect us all. IN* «
■it not call loudly upon tbe eoaibtued mirlli
eence and fraternal feelings, to adopt n.e
preventives— to apply the remedy * But tho
claims of humanity,as affecting the wwtrktd
>eings who have Vsen doomed to booila^e
, are not the ouly mcooUvee to ncUon. The
condition of the slaves ie a national and poli
tical evil. It ie increasing and will increase
to a degree boundless in extent and etornal in
duration, if the puissant arm of the national
government be not extended to rescue ue
from national ruin.
Can wc, with cousntesey, transmit that
to posterity for which wi reproach the me
mory of our ancestors, when We perceive
that the corrective to in our hands, and that
tbo plan proposed m not so utterly impracti
cable sa is often urged f
Fallow citizens Coder tha auspices of
our national government, the grand experi
ment will be perfected. Oh ' it cannot fail,
the hopes of the good, will be fulfilled ; the
wisdom sad virtue of our conscript fathers,
will be equal to the exigency of the criais ;
*be wise deliberation# of tbe few, w ill be
confirmed by tbe patriotic enthusiasm of the
many; the grant principles implicated in line
subject will be practically established, aud
tha dignity of nature will be maintained '
••What though no rosy lints adorn their face.
No ailkcw treaars shine with flowing grace,
Yet t/ ethereal temper art thmr •estl*?’
All the pledgee of our virtuous statesmen
will be redeemed; the great principles
fought and bled for in the Revolutionary
•touggle, will be firmly fixed, end wc will
evince to the world that our own roveni
aent is supremely blest and perfect, that
w. .. . . " Twas the law key stone.
Which nmde tha arch; the rest that there were nut,
vVere nothing, till that same to bind and shut.
Tam will wand a triumphant mark; them ran.
Obscrrc the strength, Use height, the •!,) and
*****
'J *** erected| end still walking nndrr,
.Meet some new matter it loth wp and wtmh r."
To the virtuous nod tender fair, need we
bow for succour 1 Did the sensibility of wo
man ever fail to antii ipate petition f~ While
we look to her as a pioneer on the road to
generous deeds, and for perseverance and
Christian fortitude in scenes of domestic dis
tress, we may with fearless confidence ex
pect her bountiful patronage, to inspire us
n alleviating calamities, la which her ange
lic kindness and delicate form cannot other
wise engage. For, if tbe exquisite sensibiV
ty of benign charity could assume “a local
habitation and n name,” it would decorate
the highest place in this temple, personified
by woman in nil her loveliness:
__ “- fairer far.
Than night beheld, than aught imagiied else.
Fairest, and dearer than all rlaa moat dear;
isgbt of the darksome wilderness; to Time
A* ■tors to night, wboec eyes were spells that held
2* passenger forgetful of his way.
Whose steps were majesty, whom words were
song,
" hopr’ ****** *cti9nl perfect
When this national gangrene is disiafret
ed, then will it be said with truth, that all
the delightful visions—all the aspirations of
our venerated fhthers, will be presented in
hold relief to the human eye—afl will bo
more than fulfilled! America will stand
forth not only free from foreign power and
control; she will stand a grand and perdura
ble monument, not ouly of material and pL>
sical power, but of intellectual strength, mo
j • political, civil, and religious liberty ; mo
derate in her principles, independent as a na
tion, respectful to all, nnd by all respect. J.
From that period, her march to moral ami
national greatness wi!| he uniform and pro
greseive, following the ‘‘even tenor of h«r
way,” meting out justice to all the world,
growing iu numbers and happiness, as she has
augmented tbe sentient beings w horn her fer
tile soil supports, and the genial spirit of b«r
laws protects; appearing to tbe world,not as
a beacon light, warning others to avoid the
shoals and quteksands encountered by the
votaries of Liberty, but at “a pillar of cloud
”7 ‘*•7. • pillar of fire by night,•• leading
the oppressed of aR nations to seek, through
Ihe tame mode of redemption, relief from
the cruelties of tyranny and the injustice of
despots. Tha fair, majestic Codd. it of Li
berty, her mystic veil loose over her iboul
ders flowing, her temples with eternal ho
nours bound, will no longer drop upon her
•• vestal robe” the sorrowful tear, u> wipe »
way tfi* deep-fixed dwini but, enrrading her
wings, clothed “in wbite-robed innocence”
and purity, win rest upon our citadel, a har
binger of light, end joy, and gfadnees—hold
ing in her right hand the golden swot J of
Justice, and In her left, the equipoised scales
of equal Rights, and ever-during, unsized
Freedom.
Fellow Citizens: The Colonization cause
we know U before the nation, and its best
bop# ia based on national aid. Rut is there
no want of individual efforts ? Its ultimata
success depends much on individual exertion.
And to there dhe In this assembly, regarding
for au instant the happy results to our coun
try. to mankind, and the world, who would
nm contribute ’ Jb here to the uau *' .*•
hie hart earnings would not be^% ZLt
***** wlM?r,n fR»*tod her two mitesT
IVhiii to the rich iuerhsst who woe Id t
2 * A* F** *»« sympathy
*7.,nr Uarts_who have ever felt grief for
•rotifer s woes, indulge now every lender
generous prtackle, sent mser.i, and feel
'** °» your natare, and Africa wilt be free *
America will he free 1 lleppy in the enioy
■oent of all thoee rights and privileges whwb
render life desirable, can citizens of this
L’aloa he unmindful of Ihe condition of
others’ fin they,with <slmooee and uaeew*
csrw, look at a large proportion of the disco
vered * or Id languishing sad writhing under
the scourge of oppress too I
The divine bw.se* of
must finally prevail, and to
darkness, wilt sneered a
light. that •* penetrate thu
nf btgedry and ignorance. The Urwtrmw
.a ^oTtiZmZaTH *r T
U*. W* °** * *»rt, a ith h -
"f T) rsany, ar arknowledges the power of
s master. No longer, then. Will it he mid

xml | txt