Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1829-02-03
FOR THE LANcAsrER GAZETTE.
COLONIZATION, NO. vi.

COLONIZATION, NO. vi.
Taking leave of my readers in thsnum-
Der, / know not how can promote the
vast colonizing interest more effec,ualfy,
or address their understanding and feel
ings with fairer prospect Of success, than
by delineating more particularly the pat
ronage, the rising and expanding patron
age, already bestowed upon this young
institution.
Congress has espoused this great cause;
it has turned friendly and approving eye
upon the Colonization Society; extended
a helping hand to the manumitted slave !;
and smiled on Liberia. Judges of the
Supreme Court of the United States are
among the ayowed and ardent supporters
of this glorious, this soul-stirring enter
prise. Several of the most dignifed Off
GERS of our national government, and gov
ernours of States, have taken a pnblick
I. "a >
and an active part, as friends and gene
rous benefactors of the distant Colony.
Nine legislatures, at least, have not only
expressed their appreciation Of this great
design, but adopted measures for its pro-
motion. Various gentlemen of distinction,
one of whom openly opposed the whole
concern several years, have obligated
themselves to pay one hundred dollars
each, annually, for ten years, to strength
en- the hands and encourage the hearts of
the Colonization Society. Months have
elapsed since the treasurer Of this -four
ishing and rising institution received con-
tributions, regularly, besides many pri-
waite and valuable donations) from about
one hundred organized auxiliary societies !!
Such societies are now forming, and COM
ing into notice, in every section of our
country and though distantly located,
their movements harmonic, all converg-
ing to common centre; and like SO ma
ny small streams, forming a precious foun-
tain, which difuses comfort, gladness, en-
couragement, and support upon the infant
Colony. Nor is this all which a sense of
duty is drawing forth from community.
Hundreds Of churches and religious soci-
cites have taken up and Forwarded con-
tribntions to cheer and assist that injured
branch of the human family.
In numerous instances on the fourth of
July, concourse Of .treemen having as
senbled to celebrate tire birtnuay of ma
tional LIBERTY and INDEPENDENCE such
persons present as gratefully felt them
selves realizing all which their ancestors
desired all for which they bled; and
even all they asked of God as an heritage
for their descendants; such men, elated
with enjoyment, and warmed with unfeign-
ed gratitude, were naturally reminded OF
Liberia; a small, distant community,
struggling for part in such scene, an
the shade of their Oaon trees! The citi-
zens still arranged at their several tables,
an address like the following was not only
heard with general appreciation, but pro-
duced effects which excited gratitude to
heaven in many delighted heart ina far
distant region
" Fellow-citizens II rise to remind
you of Liberia. While we surround these
festive boards, hundreds of our fellow men,
whose chains of servitude have lately fallen
off, are on our own soil, and now tenderly
and tearfully invited, by their friends and
relatives, to a land of LIBERTY, where
they may enjoy the feelings and indulgen-
cies which this day are so delightful to us.
Those sufferers, though impatient to en-
brace their kindred where a masters eye
as not felt, nor a masters ooice heard, can
not pass the Atlantic without assistance.
They must wait till the liberality Of those
less injured shall furnish conveyance.
We know their wishes, their hopes, their
just claims; and we know the language
and the ardour of their silent prayer for
relief. That we may assist in assuaging
the bitterness Of their cup, while ours
oVerAows with blessings, let hats bepassed
at every table,"
By the contribution of such an hour,
manya passage has been purchased, many
a tear dried, and many detected leais
elated and filled with Joy.
From st. Croix to Mississippi, from Cape
Cod to the Rocky Mountains, the Liberi-
apS arc known and ara n thamo of disci1s-