Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-01-21
COLONIZATION SOCIETY.

! i.
! BIZ We are requested by the author o: Caius
Gracious, that circumstances over which he
could have no controu have postponed the follow
Ing Essay until the present time
To the Editors ofthe Enquirer
GENrLEsIEN:-O plmus having staked the last
hopes OF the colonization Society, upon the pow
ers OF The Federal overnment 10 in;erpose ia ls
behalf, and 10 save the whole scheme from abortion
ought probably to have iet myself contenIed with
the exposition of the Constitution upon this point
as already communicated, and once terminal ell the
discussion between us But have not been able
to suppress the beliei that perceived bencath his
Roman signature, the language and opinions OF
some ptce President of the Iisiuion, whose dis
Iurbed feelings upon the subject of slavery and OF the
whole African race but the reflected images OF
the Societ} to which he belongs. Impressed with
this belief, shall take tho liberty of examining with
Freedom but hope with all due cGtrteSv, some of
the speculations contained in his ID and Sd com
nunica,ons And should this examination result
IN conclusions de'ogatory TO his Judgment or often
siVe 10 his sensoIliiy, he will be pleased TO con-
sIder the misfortune OF those accidents which
are always liable TO wound the feelings of gentle
men, who indIscreetiy interfere with the long estab-
iished opinions, and the prvale rights oil their
neIghbors.
AID here permit also TO remark, that so long
as the exercises OF Religion and Phanihrophy are
confined To their appropriate objects, aid seek no;
10 interrupt the political ei,ilons of society," we
snail often ieel ourselves indebted to them Tor many
OF he hes, aud most endearng consultations of life
But when they become lired ofrestraint and boldly
seek 10 rev"lutIenize great principle of abour in
Ihe community, upon which the agriculture of half
me Union depends, IL becomes the duty of a re-
hecing people to correct their alterations, and TO
impose some restraint upon their authors
under the INFLUENCE OF these Impressions and
oeiei that 1t Is necessary to expose some of the
wild vagsries of folly, into which the heated adj
Vocaies oi The Colpniza alton Society would involve
a coniidIng and generous people, shall institute
YER bret inquiry. into the real character of
some oi tie benefits proposed b. Opimus from this
institution, and The means by which tbey are to be
efecied; add IN The sequel besiow some notice
on ne h'Hd and generous interference with our
most delicate rights, by those states of the Union
who neither know liie actual condition of slavery
among as, its pecuartie nor the difficulty oflegis
lat ns upon II: But who in dIspie of our reuon-
sF"hcs 10 ihs Contrary, are killing with kind
ness
Let Us then ia the FIRST place examine the mild
est form ia which the society proposes to dispense
It's blessings, which Is In its proposed removal of
tbe Tree people ot colour from the country And
here will frankly declare, il could perceive that
the present or any other pan OF Operations. could
all m TINS siugie object in good aith without pre-
JHd!cc 10 lie Tree people OF colour themselves or
without any interference, eiiher directly ar irdf
rectly, With the slave population Of the co,,tr,.
should perhaps re among the last citizens Of lie
commonly eaith who would riise my voice in or.
position. But believing n do most conscientious
~, that he American Colonization Society. ,,itb
ali lis nuneroGs AuXliaries, IRE but so many Lo,
OedN "f The nurture aud propagation OF PRINCIPLES
unifendly 10 tile tenure of Southern slavery: AMI
that too, in mode the insdious and alnrn,i,o
an rain pffn mi - III [.
cra'ion aud horror. But describing these reflection,
Tor moment, let me ask how is the Society Tx els
10 slcceed IN IT. attempt TO remove the free peo,tc
OF colour from the United States? This can alon.
be effected by their consent, whether the induce
ments be held out by the hands OF private charity
or by the Federal Government. This, IL mus he
obvious at hrst view, Is an Indispensable prereoti-
size To every movement in their behalf and until
this matter OF consent is dispo~ed Of TO the satis
faction Of rejecting and practical conm,,o;,,
OPmius may save himself all the trouble Of the
very loose guessing IN which he hasindllqed abou,
the expense Of ~, scheme; and the NECESSITY l,s
would be under Of proving that the condition of tho
persons removed would be amcliorsted tberebr
with indrel other little matters, which. uno, |
reGutmg ms iheores 10 Practice, he would fad de- 1
inanding conside. siioa, and cfowdu. tbemsei,,e
into the estimate. Is it not fact. well k,ov,n -
every intelligent gentleman in the Southern state
that the Tree negroes class are The most iuey,
and lazy beins' IN al society; and perhaps more
averse 10 en- grafton than every thing else tia,
could be required 81 beini With a. The po,vers
OF locomoiion, they prefer reian in the county
or village where they were born, rather than avail
themselves Of he nani and high inducements IN
removal to IIc n-slave-holding states Of the
wes Is Il not vel known that when they do re-
move, II Is Away 10 the deepest hsum,s Of society
to the populOns towns and cities on the AtIantic
and not TO the rich aud fertile countries o fla WEI
This Is The nai'ral result Of their character and
h'brs With tl'i- strong aud prevailing bias on
Their minds, what ulasi Re be cbsra ter ~ a.. a.