Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-04-29

which they have upon this continent or That OF
Africa, without becoming sensible to the lnllu-
ence OF emotions, Of a very peculiar and inter-
esting character:-without feeling, that should
the operations Of the future, be associated with
success, IN any degree commensurate with the
promise Of the present.; a benefit will be confer
red, Of the value and magnitude of which, no
human mind can now be qualified to form an adj
equate conception. Africa must not remain,
through all future time, IN that hopeless condi-
ton, which has already been perpetuated through
so many ages. The fctters of superstition, and
ignorance, and barbarism, which have long kept
her In the dust, mus be broken oil. Her hither-
to concealed resources, must be developed. Her
energies moral and physical must be aroused:-
must be combined and directed into those chan
nels, which shall throw the sweets Of clviliza-
ton and refinement, throughout all her coasts.
And that light which once shone with 50 much
brilliancy along her northern frontier, and which
for centuries seemed to liDger there, as II re-
luctant to hlt away to other lands, must break
forth again, s. shine in one broad zone of glory, en-
~circling her whole extended borders. The de-
cree has gone forth: and the eye OF Christian PITT
lanthropy, searching the movements OF a super
intending Providence, and watching every re-
curing sign OF the times, has fastened ITSELF up
on the efforts which we are now making, as part OF
that honored ,nstrumentality, designed 10y the
great Ruler of the universe, by which this de-
cree is to be carried forward to its final consum-
nation. And most assuredly, if there be any
natural or philosophical connexIon between the
end and the means. it would be difficult to INA
CINE others so suitable or so appropriate. .
Bearing with them a knowledge OF the arts,
the blessings of civilization. the lights of science.
anI fha hanufnctinnS nj a IplJUIun ever restless
in I sreachlngs of benevolence, her sable chill
dren long separated from her shores, are return
ed into her. very bosom. And to suppose, that
thus restored, aud planted in immediate contact
with an immense population, with whom lmPc-
rioas circumstances will c%onstrain a constant in
t~ercourse of friendship and Of trafiic-to suppose
that no beneficial influence will go out from them.
silently operative, aud steadily advancing,
would be as unphilcsophieal and absurd, as il
is manifestly opposed TO all past experience
The truth is, If the reports yearly emanatiDg
from the parent institution are deserving conti-
dence, such an influence has been throwing itself
DOT, from the very commencement OF the colony.
MANY native children are receiving instruction
in the schools OF the cOlOny-many more, IN the
capacity of servants and laborers, are assimilat-
ing in habits and manners. to the families in
which they live, while maltitudes. from the un-
restrained ingress and egrcss, which they enjoy,
are gradually receiving form, and exhibiting
a complexion, the bearing and tendency of which
on the nations of which they constitute a part,
no one, in the right use of his reason, can enter
tain a doubt. That light, which but a few years
ago. was first seen to giimmer, on this western
cape, scarcely sufficient to attract the notice OF the
passing mariner, is now, in one broad blaze NOV
ing out over the land in every direction, The dark
mist which rendered previous access hopeless.
is rapidly lifting up its dusky folds and rolling
coming pervious to commercial enterprise, to
knowledge and benevolence: and from the re-
suits of the past, though the experiment has been
bat short, the most thrilling anticipations are be-
ginning to be INDUCED in reference to the future,
from one extreme of our beloved land to the other.
And it is to this fact in part, that we are to at
tribute the increasing interest, which the great
cause is every day enlisting on its behalf: an in
terest which may be gathered from the double
amount of means which has been put into the
hands of the Parent Institution during the past
year. Almost every breeze, brings with 1t the
cheering information of new acCessions Of influ-
ence, and the multiplication of large and effective
auxiliarIes. The whole land. seems to be waking
up to the subject. in its entire length and breadth:
while those significant movements, which are now
going on in the cities of New-York. Philadelphia,
and Baltimore. are indicative Of a result, to the
transactions Of the present year, scarcely tran
sccnded by all the previous operations of the So
ciety from its commencement. Its board indeed
as might have expected, feeling their hands great
ly strengthened, and their hearts encouraged are
beginning to act with more fearless confidence;
and have resolved, that during the present year,
at least one vessel, shall be sent out with acces-
sions to the Colony every two months.
Nor can any reasonable doubt be entertained.
but that the number of those willing to emisrate.
will always keeppace with the increasing ability
Of the Society to transport them. Opposition NAV,
indeed be made bv some, as has been the case al
ready, and no lack of influence expert to per-
vert and prejudice the minds of others. Yet null
titudes will go. and rejoice too in the opportuni-
ty of going. The prospect is too invitlns-thc
held of promise too large, and too rich to be re-
sisted; and the information communicated, by
those who return, and those who write back to
their relatives and friends, will it is believed have
the effect of ultimately inducing a desire in ma
ny, to remove even though it be at their own ex-
pense. In that land-the land of their fathers.