Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-02-24

much liabie to harrass YOUR mind with ,.rn.v -
difficulties These are matters of experience as wei;
as of observation Again, from tue vsry nature of tho
case, you suspicious of the character of the foo
negroes, prejudccd against Them and often at va
rance with them. These feelings are rpcinr,ca,,,
not only by them, but by their relatives and part;
cular friends. And they are pleased and even SOL,
opportunities, TO exert their influence apsist vour
interest and happiness. Owing To their degraded stu
aon ana want OIL principle, to their clandestin inter
course and unbounded influence with your slaves I'M
der such circumstances your property aud persons tn
an incalculabic extent, arc within their power Br,
further, all know that the religious princple is an
unconquerable agent. However excellent and essen
al 1t may be in its genuine character and legitimate
consequences, tue influence of other princple is s
much 10 be deprecated of this, when b. reason of m
norance and rudcuess, ii degeneraies into superslion
ana ianatlcisln Contemplate, then, the workings of
thiS misguided principle, already variance in many
respects with the religion of the New Testament aInon
the co.ourcd population of country his, some
o! 'hem no doubt are true Christians lin which case
they are more profitable ii slaves and less Offensive If
iree) macy are unquestionably rank fanatics. And
tins mighty agent of religious fanatcis,n is welded
very generally by eXtrencl, ilhterate free negroes
who, at the time, often shrcwd and cupnirr
men. They see what influence, instructed relr,ous
feeling, gives them their BRETHREN and they either
consctenousiy or trcachcrOuy tIISe Advantage of If
With high degree OF npor they naci ,Islv
insist on the acknowledged prncipe Of religious oic
ration upon holding their meetings in their OWL way
whilst their brethren industriousIy avoiding religious
worship conducted by white preachers sCfupuUusly
crowd their noisy assemblies. Whist religion in everv
form must be tolerated, and whilst the policy of on
country, prevents that instruction by which alone hese
wild and frantic abuses of IL can he ronod.
as The natural result OF the present of things II IS
even true that free negro becomes more susn,ous
and slave less honest, subordinate and valuable very
soon after making profession of religion Already is
the opinion propagatcd by the free and amono
Inc slaves, that may make such progress in religion
tiia nothing they do will be sinful, even should #
be tue murder of those whom they are now REQUIRED Ia
UbeV, a Of tharf fin,
am indebted for many OF these thoughts 'whout pre-
tending 10 be prophet, venture To predict, that If
even that horrid event should take place which an
iicIpated and greatly dreaded by many among u.s. some
crisp haired prophet pretender To inspiration will
be the rngleader well the rator of the blot
ny iegnlng communications from heaven, he will rouse
the fanacisin of his BRETHREN and they will be prepar-
ed for any work, however dcso!aing ana mufdcrous.
Now, gentlemen what must be tie tendency of the
influence Of the free people of colour, under ali these
circumstances Of confidential intercourse, of under
handed trafckn@, of tender exons of recinrocaI
ennity, and of religious fanaticsm The principles
and feelings, and hopes, and conduct OF our slaves?
Can any be dull of apprehension as no; 10 par
ceive that the existence of Ibis influence as cause is
much better adapted to render -laves less content
cd aud subordinate, and pToPortonahly less valuable
than its remova! or non-eXIsteuce? Nay more-by The
removal OF the free negroes, will not the value
of the slaves be enhanced2 And what is there
lei ask, IN the act of removal produce the evil
feared, or To prevent the good proposed? There arc
no promises or hopes held out 10 tile slaves BY the
agents or circumstances of their removal ta ihey are
to be enancIPatcd On the contrary, they are apprIz
ed by tie very scheme objected TO- Of the yIaionco f
their masters against the influence of The free iecrCcs
and of their determination and united effort to keen
their slaves in proper subordnatIon by removing the
causes CT their discomfort and INSTRUMENTATION Whilst
If is inconcevabe, therefore, how hc evils feared I'm
the objection be possibly realized; must conclude
that the Colonization Society proposes 10 do no injury
but real service 10 the holder. remove immune
rabie evils from amongst and TO gain important I'D
yantagcs for the cCuntry-and that, consequently n is
worthy OF your patronage.
OF a singular character is this objection which has
been sometimus.waged against Soriety-lat the
Liberation of slaves for the purpose colonzing them
III Liberia will produce discomfort &c among eir
brethren in the immediate neighbourhood from which
they arc removed might venture to say, that tue
evil feared in this. well in the former objection
in relation 10 the slaves have occurred in the
course OF five years. experience by the removal of ell
ther class OF coloured population. But admitting that
they have occurred, aud that they S'! again occur;
ask, 90 whom ought the blame 10 rest, and how shall
they be remeded' The act of liberation caused these
evils. Shall The Colonization Society, which had no
agency TperfOrmng this act, be blamed for removing
then, when liberated, from tue country? Surely not
Shall The slave holder be charged with blame for per
forming act of Justice TO his fellow creatures for
Obeying tie dictates of his conscience, and for seeking
his interest and happiness JeGating his slaves
Whilst he performs this Of humanity he docs precise
ly what those WHO feel The supposed evil consequences 90
seeks his convenience and interest ccannot he
justly blamed The evils complained Of the necessa
~ results OF the present unhappy state of things But how
shall they be rcmediet? The Colonization Society af
ords partial remedy by Immediately removing those
that are emancipacd from tie country. Shall the
door which closed against emancipation By the laws
Of the land but which has been opened by the Society,"
be again closed by abandonment of IFS scheme? This
were 20 deprive free citizens OF their rights, done BY
legislative Interference and to be deaf the calls -
nanity, Of justice, and OF iutefesto retain other and
serious evils if done without legislative iDterfe
renee. The Truth is, however, the evils complained Of
exist in tie Imagination o! those who are afraid of
DOSING their Involuntary "he,CeIS Il lg0od" &c by
being induced Themselves TO bcrote their slaves for CO.
lonizaon. than in real experience. For the slaves in
the vicinity of those eluauCipatcd by little more yirj-
lance and authority, be easily Kept in their usual
subordaatiou whilst tie removal Of the free paople OF
colour Will render them faithful and yalnoble
Although il IS not denied that many iuconveniences
must necessarily attend the attainment Of so great a
good, nevertheless, let the Colonization Society be Vi
gorousy and prudentiy Pattonzcd by Observation-Disclosures
aid those whose interest aud inclination rcqnrc 10 be-
come So as well by those whose policy dictates diff
fsrent and all these inCOnvCuienccs and Obcc-