The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1823-12-17
Fer the .Aierandria Herold.

W. Has tdIG-
been again presented TO the attention OF
the good people of Alcxandria allude
to the scheme for forming a COLONY of
tree coloured people on the coas, Of Afri-
ca-the object Of the Americana oloniza.
tion Society. For the promotion of this
important end, perceive that an auxilia,
ry society has been formed in this town
the managers of which are to call on
their fellow citizens for such assistance
as they may be disposed to give. The
gentlemen who have consented to take
an active part on thi, occasion are all en-.
gagged IN professions and pursuits which
demand their chief and uninterrupted at.
tention, and have been induced to give in
their respective capacities only from
deep sense OF duty and of the importance
OF the undertaking in which they have
engaged. The immense advantages 70
the whole United States expected to re-
result from its success are generally &C.
knowledged, and have frequently been
enlarged on in public assemblies by the
most eloquent and able men of our coun-
try; and therefore require no illustration
from the pen Of your humble CORES.
pondent. The object of the present
communication is to remind the citizens
OF Alexandra OF some peculiar circum-
stances their local and political situa.
ton, whichrender the SUBJECT more i'm
portant 10 them than, perhaps, any other
portion of the country. Situated be-
tween the slave holding states of VlrgI>
MA and Maryland, this district is conve-
nient and natural place of refuge for the
runaway and emaDcipated slaves of both :;
Tor the laws of both of them refuse
shelter TO any whom their owners may be
induced to manumit. The actual effect
Of this combination of circumstances on
our population is, as must naturally be
expected TO augment the rates of in
crease OF the colored when compared
with that Of the white Inhabitants for
nave understood from good authority that
although The whites iD our town have
decreased, yet thar ab INCREASE equal in
numbers has taken place in the colored
inhabitants. This importau, fact, which
indicates progressive and very Injurious
change, is taking place in the character
OF our population. ought to awaken us all
10 deep interest in the success of the
Colonial ion Society.
The writer has had occasion frequently
WIN deep regret, TO witness The apathy
and opposition which the scheme en-
counters from men whom property. re. |
spectahility and information would point !
out as It's warmest supporters and mostl
efficient friends, whose immediate int.
resi- and the future happiness of their ris.
ing families must be materially promo
teo oy Its success. The task of sulici.
ung public contributions to any object.
however useful and important is sufIi-
Client odious and unthankful, even when
success crowns the efforts ofthe laborious
collector but on such an occasion as
The present 10 be encountered with cold
reception and frivolous objections IS
truly dIshearteniDg, and almost suficient
to induce the officers of the society TO
abandon their posts in despair Justice.
however, requires that due acknowledge
menr shtold be made 10 those iDdiyidu.
ais who have spontaneously contributed
hbersii2 and especially TO those who
htVcat once come forward and subscrib.
eli as .nembefs for fife, The annual
subscription OF each member of the So
cfety has been jHdiciously fixed at the i
moderate sum of one dollar, which al I;
most any oDemay afford TO risque even
u he considers the object impracticabie
with the means attainable by the society.
and which, when compared With the
hoped tnT result, is as grain Of sand TO
tue globe Of the earth, From the highest {
authority We have the precepl, .'despise 6
s'"' the day Of small things" many are
deferred from taking any interest in the
scheme from conviction that the means {
arc entirely disproporii0ned to the end r
chat the efforts Of the society never can 4
produce any beneficial results or that i
portion OF the community whose RENE, a
val it has for its object To this il might
he sufficient 10 answer that the object IS &
at least worth the tria! CT subscription (; | /
butt Sc heedtnIng very probable that Z
IT the colony can be supported at the I
present moment, that the state OF Vnsi- ! .
MA; and even the general government 2
will lend their powerful aid and apply Is
means more proportioned TO the end than {
the moderate sums which can be raised /
by The society but taking into coDside /
ration that 6 great bodies we're slowly" t
!, IS confidently hoped that those " no have {
risq0tdiheii lives and for a season,sacri. Il
iced their comforts in Becoming the fire; Il
settlers al Mensu' ado will no, be deserted 4
IN their present necessity by refusal TO y
contribute present mite 10 their comfort /
and security, We are Informed mum. | G