Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-02-09

] f.NJSNtSN tullFAludi, 1fli receiving - Its
} irst organization from few gentlemen who met
ina tavern in Washington" (6) is gradually and
Shehtty extending itself, by means of affiliated
Societies, into the interior of our country, and I'M
less checked, will break down Constitution and
destroy our peace.
cannot, in this letter. say one-tenth, nor even
one-twentieth part OF all that might be said in re-
iation 10 set-created Societies, generally: On 10
philanthropy, generally, its real character, as
eNnced by its real history--by the mistakes il has
committed and the lnischiofsi il has brought upon
mankind: ~ in relation to the pretended phiian-
thropy of governments, (9) and the polite philan-
thfopy OF politicians QO) 10 philanhropc Societies
generally; and particularly 70 those Societies of
whose enlightened and discriminating zeal, the
africans are the peculiar and exclusive object: to
the Colonization Society inShe United States its
/ origin and progress, particularly in Virginia; Il
Its bold pretensions; its conduct at home and abroad
the spirit, heerodoxI2) s. anti-socal, which il has
produced and fOStercd, and continues TO produce
and foster; the mischiefs from it, we have already
experienced, and the stil greater evils which we
may be doomed 70 encounter
None OF these topics can be now discussed: and
i some of the most jealous aud distinguished
friends OF the Colonization Society be mistaken on
one point of constitutional law, as think ,hey
are, there will never be OCCASION probably to dis
cuSs them, at least, in reference to that Society
some OF them, indeed, are of Greatpubc interest
ana are worthy, at all times, Of the most celiber-
ate examination. a work showing the difference
between charity, whose acts are performed by in
olNduais IN secret-aud, even when mistaken do
but little harm-and philanthropy, which acts and
SPEAKS ia nc face OF the world, in numerous So
cletles oil distinguished persons, and seeks the
worlds aid and its applause; and whose errors,
when errors are committed, are felt in the very
vltais OF society, would be most valuable present
! TO mankind The first we know. cit seldom
mistakes and can never be Mistaken But NH
lanthrophy, we cannot be sure. that we know 1t
may be genuine. In defiance of the very plausi-
Die theory, which ascrbes all human actions 10
selilshness 1t is admitted that man MAY be phi
| ianthropist "a lover of mankindD but whether he
De really so or not, who can tell? Justice, tenn
perance, iorutude, patience, charity, courage: all
| uhese virtues have marks by which they can be
known. 1t there be any alloy in them, and even
IN our p'irest virtues there is alloy, it can be ca
shy dlscovered but TO philanthropy, no test can
DC applied. II vanity comes boldly forward and
calling itself philanthropy, associates number of
persons TO accomplish some purpose, even appa-
rently connected with humanity or religion. no
matter where the theatre of action NAV be: no
matter whether the object be aainable or not: no
| matter whether even total failure be not preier-
able TO success: no matter: it is philanthropy that
speaks, and all, who are good or wise are reuuir-
ed to listen to its voice L, for one, whether good
or wise, or not, will not listen to it. have long
watched Its movements, and know sometime Of
them and their effects; and | feel warranted In
saying, that the ruling passion of men, the love
oil fame, OF distinction, of popularity and even of
notorety, is sufficient to account for the formation
ana establishment OF almost every society of phie
lantnropists, and almost every thing that philan-
thropists have done And further that even real
philanthropy, being feeling or sentiment, not
belief or conviction of the understanding founded
IN reason, though certainly not always condemned
! by reason, must, from its essence and nature be
liable TO err; and what is still more TO be deplored
liable to err exactly in proportion to its purity and
fervor (I3)
| Nor can discuss, in this letter, the question.
the great question to which attention is drawn
4 dararr- rfft H.. Wy
in January, 1927, of the Colonization Society. But
will discuss it, and soon because the fate of the
Society is admitted to depend mainly on the exer-
else by Congress of a power of appropriation.
wnicn' IN my humble Judgment, they have not
which, think, the Supreme Court have decided
they have not-and which, even if they did nos
sess II, and the disposition TO exercise it, they will
not, Tor long time at leass il ever have the
means to execute.
Before the actual commencement of the socie-
ty, or, at least, at very early period after its com
nencement, this topic should have received as it
deserved, the serious attention of the Society But
philanthropy disdains such trifes. =" Eager in
pursuit of its object il does not allow itself to re-
iiect moment on the means it would employ"
One of the most jealous, and cheerfullv add,
one OF the most respectable members Of the Socie-
~, distinguished, as it unquestonabyi for worth
and talents, says, in letter published in tie Ma
tional Intelligencer of the 26th August, 1926, 81
am not surprised at the difficulties YOU encounter
in the North encountered the same in the
course of the last Summer. | found that intelli
gent and practical men every where (mark that
reader) " considered our whole plan as chimer:cal
IN the cxtreme-as the idle dream of mad enthu-
siaSts -(mark that alSO.) And we'll. indeed
! might they think so, il it had, at any time, en-
/ braced the absurd idea" (once more maFlO s Of
accomplishing, through the instrumentality of our
Society alone, al, that proposed to be accom-
Plshed." The writer then proceeds TO suggest
that the object may be attained by '' the combined
and harmonious cooperation of the State and Fed
eral Governments" relying, however, it would
seem, principally on the aid Of the Federal Gov
eminent, which, after applying a portion of IFS
surplus revenue, mot to the reduction of orr
debt, butt TO the purposes Of internal Improvement
and Of education also, g which will, very proba-
bly, and certainly, very properly, command its
share, might so act and so contribute {" that the
operation, properly conducted, would in the end,
remove from our country every Uestige of dorpes-
nc sfdvery, without asngc violation of Individual
4 wishes or individual rights" Are we awake?
Can not hear? Can we not see;
In March, 1924, (Nat. Intelligencer, March IL &,
1921 the report OF a committee was adopted in
which 1t is stated, that " the time has come when
almost all, that can be effected by individual re-
sources, has been effected" The Committee
therefore, viewing the object Of the Society az a
national object, and conceiying that Congress
ought to g take the Colony already planted under
its protection say, that, TO the nation and 10 the
natiU1i alone, must look for the means Of ac-
comPlishing such work. a memorial, in con-
tormity tothe report, was then directed TO be pre-
pared and presented to Congress
This proceeding is equivalent to formal con-
cession, that a Society had been formed for the
accomplishment of g work, =" which il was in
competent to accomplish and 10 the further
concession, that the Society had been created.
or rather had created itself, for the attainment
Of an object, lying within the sphere. accord
ing to their judgment, Of federal legislation