Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1821-12-11

I setves By Common labor ?--or whether
they would not iEsist upon keeping
slaves to perform tseir drudgery, &c.
The conduct of Charles F. Mercer oil
Virginia, has been, perhaps, not less ex
ceptionable. He vas one Of the frs,
promoters of the institution; and in a let
ter to friend, be expressed hope that
the time was near at hand wien he could
liberale his slavf with safety. Still, he
steadily opposed The limitation of slave
ry in Missouri, &c,
This mach win safliee, for the present,
to shew the Inconsistency of some ofthe
leading and most influential characters
that manage the affairs of this associa-
ton: | will now beg the readers auen
ton a moment, while | make few re-
marks upon the conduct Of the agents of
the society while acting in their official
cetacity.
BY report relative to the proceedings
OF The agents OF the general government
and OF the Colonization Society, one OF
which has lately returned from Africa,
ii appears that trac, ofand has been
purchased from the natives, for the pur-
pose of forming colonial establishment
on the continent, and thai certain sum
is to be paid to them, ANNUALLY, in various
kinds Of merchandise, which are speci-
he'd in the agreement. Among the ar
iiclcs enumerated, perceive that they
are 10 De yearly iaIhHed Nth q quant,-
ty GRUM!!!
Had not this IMPORT been published as
official, should have been inclined to
discredr it on ACCOUNT Of the nmproba-
bllity Of such a stipulation having been
Included IN the trfaty. But the manner
III which it has 4ecn introduced to the
view OF the publE, leaves no room to
doubt The truth oil the statement.
ii the agents I'D been dcputcd by an
association oil mefcha.'s or spectators,
whose only Object was gain, such an ar
rangemenl would not have been calcu-
lated TO excite surprise: but that per-
sons who were viewed in the light Of
Christian Missionaries, who were sent
out as heraltls ofthe gospel and employ
ed as pioneers III tie wilderness of pagan
ldolalfy, TO prepare the way for the con-
version OF Inc lieathen; that they should
thus, even in the commencement OF their
labors, attempt to scatter the seeds OF
moral poison, and introduce the imple-
mcnts Of destruction among people
whose welfare they profess to have in
view, and whose dark uncuitiyated minds
II IS tlicir object TO enllghten and i'm
prove, is truly astonishing.
When this Continent was first settled
by the Europeans, the same policy was
pursued, 10 certain extent, by the colo
nista IN their intercourse with the ma
lives. Rum was freely given them in
exchange for their furs and pel,rias, and
hat was the consequence Ii proved
to the un,u,ored and unenlighlened in
hab'tants dreadful scourge. baDeini H.
rs tendency, and extensive in its opera
tions. The hardy sons Of the forest were
unable to resist the mighty adversary;
they were Frustrated by the influence OF.
its magic power, and their numerous
tribes were swept from the soil BY the
potent arm OF The fell destroyer. We
cannot Tor a moment believe that the
agents were ignorant OF all this, and it
might have been expected, that a know
ledge ct il would have prevented an al
tempt to make a second experiment OF
he kind. II" like causes produce like
elects," and if ,lese proceedings arci
followed by train of evils similar 10
what have been witnessed in such cases
heretofore, the hopes and expectations
of the Christian and the Philan,hropisi
viii be disappointed; their pious and
benevolent exerliops to propagate the
doctrines four holy religion among the
worshippers Of idols will be frustrated,
and what was a, first intended as fruit
III blessing 10 lie nations of A frica, will
be converted into deadly curse.
Ii is true, that the agents of the society
acted in conjunction with other persons
commissioned by the government OF the
United States, and are not, in the presen,
case, atone guilty. Of this deviation from
the line Of rectilude; bar as they are,
properly speaking, at the head of the
undertaking, they may be viewed as
principals in the work in which they arc
engaged, and are, at least, entitled to
iull share Of the apprehension which such
conduct l.e!its.