Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1832-04-27

Ssrenth annual Repor; ofhe Managers
Of the augusta County Coionizdtion
Society," Submitted to the Society,
April 81, 1882.
At the date of cur last annual meeting, a
balance OF S5l AZ remained int he hands of
the treasurer. Since that time he has re-
ceived, from members, with the addition of
some donations, the sum of $50 so. He
has paid 10 the parent society S25 co and
expended in postage 90 CID leaving a
present balance of S74 29A.
Concerning the colony OF Liberia, we have
no information to communicate but such
as the public prints have given, from time
TO time, TO all who wished 10 know what was
going on at that interesting establishments
The sum of this information is that The
colony, gradually advancing in numbers,
advances also in every branch of improve
ment and prosperity. We believe that in
the whole history of colonization, there has
never been an instance elsewhere of SO
cheering degree of success from similar
amount OF means and eXertions. Divine
Providence has evidently smiled upon the
enterprise, and encouraged its friends to
prosecute II with untiring perseverance.
Shall we close this paper here? A feeling
which we asSuredy know to be no other than
sincere regard for the honour and welfare
of our country, prompts us to offer to the
society some additional reflections 7
1t was never expected by any man of
sense that the voluntary association, ofwhich
we form an humble part, would be able TO
effect, by lis own very limited energies,
any sensible diminution OF the large and
pernlcious mass OF our coloured population
But we did hope 10 evince the practicability
OF acquiring an extensive and fertile terri
tory IN suitable climate, and Of removing
our negroes TO 1t, and settling them in ii 1
with fair prospects Of their becoming re-
spectacle and happy nation ; and thus 10 pio-
ncer the way for delivering this otherwise
favoured land of ours from burden the sor-
est that ever afflicted any people under
heaven. And this hope, thanks lie TO God
we are permitted TO see realized The COLONY
exists and fouriShes 1t remains that the
Legislative authorities of these southern
states, invigorated by the attainable and
powerful aid OF the Federal Union, take this
business under their efficient patronage.
And surely the period IS now emphatcally
come Tor putting into action on this momen-
tous subject our utmost talents and our ut
most resources. After ages already lost in
supineness, shall we still waste our precious
time in dispositions, as needless as they are
irreconcilable with our hoasEed republican
character, on what we call lie right of pro-
peEty in our slave; while the deadly evil
which we all profess 10 deplore is gaining
ground upon us with gigantic strides every
year and every hour VIZ say needless dis
questions for such they appear to us 10 be-
Let liberal means he provided for removing
far away those unfortunate beings amongst
Us whom we denominale free blacks, togeth-
err with those slaves who Shall be voluntarily
manumitted for the purpose Of removal. On
this single condition, we are satisfied that
there will be nonecessity TO interfere in COM
pulSory way withany mans right of prop
erty in his slaves. Public sentiment, inces-
sanity acquiring expansion ard strength,
will much better achieve the glorious con-
summation. Butsuppose ihisto be visionary
picture. Suppose that yet greater sacrifices
shall be found Indispensable w hat then
Shall we shrink from the making Of those
sacrifices for the salvation ofour native land
the ioveliest and the choicest of al lands ;
Shall we tamely sit still, and see Virginia
despoiled of much of her strength by unex-
ampled emigration 10 other regions, ard by
this means ripening tie more speedily ass
harvest for the scythe ofthe assassin; Shall
we, after all that we have seen and heard
within nine months past persist in the slum-
Der and Incidence ofiniatuation Or shall
VIC soon arise in all our zeal, and all our
united strength, TO devise and TO pursue the
measures by which alone such tremendous
issue may he averted, and our country rem
dered truly prosperous and happy How
these questions are to be answered by facts,
time must discover, and God only, who is
omniscient, can certainly foresee. For Cur
part, though we deeply lament that the
equally able and eloquent discussion which
recently took place on this most important
topic in the hail ofourlcgislature was suffered
10 float away into the air, yielding no prac-
tical result yet we think that we ought not
10 abandon the cause OF libcrating our be-
loved country from the denominations and the
curse OF slavery, in utter despair a better
day may be about 10 dawn upon us. Per
haps the discussion 70 which we have refer
red, itselia wondrous phenomenon in Virgin
"A, may not die away as a fruitless cxpendi-
turo of feeling and Of genius. And in the
mean while, let US continue our labours for
the improvement Of the colony, that it NAV
become a more capacious and every way
Convenient receptacle for drawing off, when
the good season for extended operations
shall arrive, the pestilential nuisance Of our
african population.
Respectfully submitted.
BY order Of the Board ofManagerg
w. CLARKE Sec'fy
Officers elected 2lst HprH 1922
Rev Conrgd Sueef o - n praa;Ior.