Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-08-19
COMMUNICATION.

StCtS(N. uiihN IN
r,tioo Society. was organized last December IN
Washington. having for its object the education OF
sersons Of color s.in letters. agriculture, anu the
mechanic arts, so as to qualify them Tor useful
.sss and influence in Africa This Society has
been founded ON the principles OF the parent De-
seyoleuce. and comes recommended 10 lne a''en-
I've consideration ut the community, from the
known talents aud high respectability OF us iheh-
hers. The Managers of the Society have circulated
m address. with a view OF removing the preJudices
AGAINST which they will, doubtless, have toeon-
iend. and of allaymg any alarm when may De en-
,ertsined respecting the influence OF the measure
recommended to be carried in to operation pom our
Whole black population. The language OF many
s3rt. of this address is objectionable, as oalcu-
h,ed to give erroneous impressions with respect
m the real and exclusive object OF tie Society,
and consequently to excite the very alarm which
the Board uf Managers were anxious to prevent.
1t IS marked by the nost fervent zeal IN the cause
ne cDpressed humanity. and there runs through
II a spirit of purs beneyoience, highly honorable
10 It's author. In the remarks then. which we are
about tn offer Oh the ~propriety Of extending to
any part Of our black populat:9n the means OF
education. let ii be understood that we entertain
no hostile feeling to the Society to which refer
ence has Just been made. II II Is desirable to
open an outlet for the removal 10 Africa OF our
colorcd population, the ~colonists who are sent OUT
nom this country ought certainly TO be so far
educated. as to be Impressed with IA fall conviction
e the advantages Of good government. and OF
sle necessity If sound aud wholesome regulations
:, secure the prosperity of the colony. The ex-
p~erience Of thirteen years has afforded full de-
monstration of the necessity Of placing the COLO
nv al l.ise.i. under tie sole management OF CO.
krel Agents. who can withstand the Serere cit
mat, % Africa. These Agents should be fitted
in this country for the statiuns they are 10 occupy
in Africa; ard should carry out with them anuIn-
Der of we,l-Instructed coiored people to fill the
subordinate situations in the government OF the
colony. Aud iG, after all this has been done. the
colony Should be found unable to support itself,
the whole scheme had better be given up as utter
ly impracticabie. With these observations. which
have run out to a greatcrlensth than was atflrstin
.eRded, but which we thought proper to make In
srder to shew our perfect triendliness TO the So
&ety Of which we have spoken, we beg leave to
present a few considerations, to saew the meXpe-
aitncv of afarding an education TO any part OF
he black population.
Il should he fully and clearly understood, that
in determining the course OF policy to be pursued
with regard to the c0lored population of i'is
country, we have nothing to do with the abstract
question Of slavery, and II is perfectly i,nmatcrial
VIA AallO iluF VIC NV NstAN VII .> -
The Bible. 10 which, If any where, we ought to
appeal on this question, makes no declaration
which would have tie effect OF DESTROYING the au-
thority Of he master: Oh the contrary, II eX-
preSsly enioins upon the slave the duty of ODE
aience. ltiaculcates the doctrine. that as ma
nv servants as are under the yoke should count
their own masters as worthy OF all honor.' Bat
leaving this part of the subject, it is sufficient tnr
us TO Know that the evil has been entailed upon
us. Aud all that our duty prcscribes-a all that
Is enioiued bv the precepts of that religion which
is acknowledged as the rule ct our faith, Is to
reuder the cundition of the slave as light and easy
az possible, at the same time thatjour own mtNei
IS not TO be disregarded. Whatever measure.
therefore, which upon examination is found to
accord with this ~princip'e may be safely adopted,
u perfectly just and. equitable.
LEI ii also be recollected, that we arc under
no necessity of conforming ia al respects 10 GER
taia speculative truths. in determining the course
of policy in relation to any subject which ought
to ne parsued. As abstract truths, they are i'm
mutable IN their nature. aud ought always TO De
kept in view. as the guide posts By which our way
is to be polluted out; but The very idea u govern
ment. or Of subordination, supposes that these
PRINCIPLES undergo certain notifications accord
inc to the circumstances in which mankind happen
70 be placed. Thus although we acknowledgment
Its full force, the principle ''that all men are
created equal" yet it would be an act of mad.
hess through a regard to this-a simply spscula-
tive truth, to lose sight of the circumstances in
which we are thrown. and TO turn loose upon So
ciety our whole black population. tits not sufi-
cient to shew that an action Is justified by
some Que Of the great rules of light; its proprie-
ty is 10 be determined by looking steadily at Its
probable consequences, and by discerning, if
possible. whether it will be productive of good or
evil. This is the only correct mode of examin-
ing every subject: and if, after such an %inves,i-
CATION as has been pointed out, an infringement
Of any maxim. in itself true, should be deemed
necessary, it must be regarded as one of the un-
avoidable consequences of the state Of society.
Upon this view Of the sabject, what becomes of
the principle to which reference aas just been
rades 1t is very properly laid aside, because its