Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-01-30

operations 10 be repressed, or our ardor to be
damped by the objections and impediments in
separablc from the prosecution of this great and
splendid undertaking, Africa may have cause
TO lament the failure-unbon millions may lose
the benefit of our exertions But Sir, admitting
that we are enthusiasts--can enthusiasm do no
good especially too when it is the result of cool
dehbetation and conviction? Enthusiasm in
those who design, as well as in those who execute
may often be essential to the ACCOMPLISHMENT
OF great undertakings. Do we feel an interest
IN the struggles of the oppressed, Have we
sympathized with our republican brethren in the
South, during their afdueus contest for indepen-
dence? Are our feelings at this moment en-
listened IN the cause of the Greeks against
thelr opPressors--of the cross against the Gre
scent And ought we not to feel equally, if
not more enthusiastic in the general cause of
oencvolence and philanthropy-and will add,
| ofJustice--in cause in which not only we but
our remotest PROSPERITY are most deeply inter-
estcd The consequences which may result
from the success OF this scheme, are in the womb
OF uInc They may prove far more important
far more interesting, than the limited mind of
man can conceive. Africa may thus be peo-
| pied by the descendants of those who were Torn
| from her bosom--and receive in return for the
wrongs she has sustained, knowledge of the
arts and sclences-of government and laws
with the blessings OF rcligio civilization and
rclncmens-while oar own country, the happi-
est and treest in the world, may be ceansed oc
the only foul blot which has stained her charac-
ter. We owe il to ourselves and to posterity-
we owe it TO Africa--wc owe it to lust God
and to suffering humanity to perscvere in the
enterprise in which we have embarked 1t is
| cause in which we feel conscious of being
animated by the pureSt motives-and whatcyc-
may be It's result we shall at least deserve sue
cess.
The motion for receiving and adopting the Report
OF the Managers, seconded by Mr.. Robert
c. Scott, who addressed the meeting in the follow
ing Speech
In scconding the motion, Mr.. President. for
| rcce'img and adopting the Report OF the Man
ayers l tins; the meeting will pardon me, for
OBTAINING them a short time, while endeayor
to point out some OF the benefits anticipated from
our association; and the practicaJiity of attain
ing the ends for which we are united.
Nor can L forbcar to congratulate YOU. and
tins respectable assemblage, that public atten-
ton IN Virginia Is at least awakened to the sub
iect OF Colonization that Societies are forming
IN various parts of the State that in our own
Capital, with little more than two months labor
the list of our members embraces more than on.
hundred persons, and that the prejudices heretoe
fore existing against our undertaking are rradu-
ally yieid.,ig toenquiry and 10 truth. was in
Virginia always the patronizer of liberal and en-
deed tohavc been anticipated from Virginia; from
ightened views-From Virginia who first rave
birth to the idea Colonzng the free people ofco
Tor, who speaking through her constituted ap-
thoritles, more than twenty years since, address,
ed herself directly to the National Government.
and earnestly entreated its aid in this holy pur
pose who for fifteen years has spoken the same
lanS,iage; who as late as the year 1916, by her
Legislature sitting in this very Hall, declared by
an almost unanimous vote, her undiminished in
crest in this object--Thc recollection of that
vote, MT. President, Is yet fresh in my memory.
~ 18th an attendance OF one hundred and forty Sc
ven 'nenbors, there were but nine who voted a.
.amst the adoption ofthcse resolutions, to which
we are mainly indebted for the American Colo
nization So'icty; and the enthusiasm with which
they were hailed as the harbingcr of good, is
strongly impressed on my recollection.
In the Senate, body composed of men who
have passed the period of life when feeling too of
ten sways the judgment, these resolutions were
adopted with but one dissenting vote.
Virginia then stands pledged to give her aid
to the experiment of Colonization and tlris
'ledgc is ratified by her most enlightened citizens;
it has the sanction of her Jefferson and her Mon
roe andshc is now giving strong proofs, however
tardily, OF her determination tomeet fully the an
lcipationS OF all; that she would lead the van in
this advent ire, from which so much benefittoour-
selves, and so many blessings to the free people
of color are expected.
The innumerable advantages which will ne
cessarily result to ourselves, by removing from
among us, the free black population, must be ma
nifest to every rejecting mind. They cannot.
however, bewell estimated without critical ex
animation tthe evils arising from the existence
OF this population in our country.-Permit me
here, Mr.. President TO point out some of the,
most promnent.-From the very nature and
character of this description of population from
our habits, our education, our laws and if Won
please or prejmdices, they must ever continue
to be a distinct and separate people; they must
ever be without those strong and powerful inccn-
tves to virtue, without which it is vain 10 expect
an effort TO perform noble act.-Depriyed as
they are OF all poticI rights, with but few cipiL
privileges, excluded from an association with the
whites, cut off from all hope ofdistinction plac-
ed IN condition from whence neither wisdom
nor piety, virtue nor talents, nor service for the
public can ever raise them, they become alike
indifferent to their fate and their character.
Nor can it be hoped that by any system of Le-
glslatIon, we cnl ought 10 change this state of
things. Nature has placed an impossible barrier
between these people and ourselves, which no
human power can remove; and in this consists
the peculiar and Distinguishing characteristic be-
tween slavery in own and other countries.-
There il was evil remediable in its character;
emancipation was the corrective, it restored the
human being to all his civil and political rights
IT gave him his proper place among the members
ofsociety according 10 his virtues or his attain
ments ; distinction followed as necessarily upon
any ofhis great actions, it attended those of