The Northern star, and constitutionalist. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1834-1837, 1834-08-23
my EsT.1

the Rev. DIR. Beecher's eloquent speech
at the late Colonization meeting in that
city
There can be no doubt that slavery,
through the world, is destined to CEASE
Man was male to be governed by reason,
conscience, and the laws OF heaven and
the signs OF the times announce, that the
day hastens, when every yoke shall be
broken, and the oppressed 60 free. The
illumination of science, the contributions
Of the diffusion of knowledge the prin-
ciples Of liberty, the power Of public SEN
timent, and the example of prosperous
self government are revolutionizing the
world.
In our own country, it is manifest that
slavery must terminate quickly and we
trust that before the close OF the pres
cnt century the reproach will be wiped a
way.
Our free institutions, public sentiment,
the climate, and Ike depreciation Of slave
labor IN some States-in others, the ex
haustion Of the soil, and in all the grow
ing knowledge, Impotence, inutility and
peril OF the slave population-the increase
Of emigration, from considerations of con-
science or fear or necessity, and the ex-
isting or fast approaching emancipation Of
the colored race in the Islands, in Mexi-
CO, and in many Of the non slave holding
States, all declare the termination OF the
relations of master and slave TO be near.
But as all past great changes in socic-
ty have been accomplished by providential
instrumentalities, it is time that the cho-
sen instrumentaIity should begin to be de-
veloped aud it is developed, in the ex-
tended and extending associations Of the
colonization and abolition societies which,
though like opposing clouds they seem
to be rushing into collision, will l doubt
not, pour out their concentrated treasure
in one broad stream Of benevOlcnce-like
rivers, which ripple and chafe in their first
conjunction, but soon run down their an
cry waves, and mingle their party color
ed waters, as they roll onward toward the
ocean.
rise, therefore, not as the exclusive
partizan or opponent of either of those So
ceties, but to say to them, as Joseph said
to the sons Of Jacob, "See that ye fall
not out by the way, for ye are brethren"
1t is not to be expected that either of
them, in the novitiaie Of their being, will
be able to escape mistake, and defy criti-
cism. 1t does not lie within the compass
Of human faculties, to plan and execute
with iniallible foresight and wisdom. So
ciety must continue in barbarsm if we
reject Improvement except on condition
Of consummated perfection. 1t seems
also impossible TO rouse the nan suffi-
ciently for great undertakings, without
heat which ignite the most ardent tenn
peraments, to explosion and irregular az
tion, throwing back repellancy on the
main body. One of the greatest vexa-
tons which Luther, and other reformers
had to encounter, was the ndiscreet zeal
of this class of minds. The cause of lib
erty, in the early stages of our revolution
AIRY struggle, was dIshonered by patriot
tory hunters, Of tarring and feathering
memory. In great revivals of religion,
men Of this temperament do often great
good, and yet IN such manner as to do
sometimes more hurt than good. The
cause Of benevolence, then, in ameliorat-
ing the condition of men, is not to be
made accountable for those mistakes and
indiscretions, which the greale care
cannot wholly avoid in novel experiments
and great movements of the human mind.
| would not, however, embalm and can
nonIze mistakes and imprudence, because
found always with great and benevolent
undertakings. They stand out on the
page of history, for warning, and not for
daring and reckless imitation.
1t will be my object to show, that in a
melloraiion the condition of the colored
race, there is work for the Colonization
Society to perform, and that in its proper
sphere, it is worthy Of continued conf
dence and efficient support, and that Tor
the emancipation and elevation of the COL
ored race, there is also work which
more properly belong TO society for the
purposes Of abolition which, judiciously
conducted, may win the hearty co-opera-
ton of all patriots and Christians.
No doubt the great provdeniial work
for which the Colonization Society is rais-
ed up, lies in Airica--compared with
which all the good accomplished in this
country is merely incidental, s as drop
Of the bucket IN the ocean. The wrongs
Of Africa are to be redressed, her darkness
exchanged for light, her sighs and tears
for songs of praise, her long captivity, for
glorious and never ending liberty.-What
men meant for evil God meant for good
and the accomplishment Of his compre-
hensiye plan will at last cause the wrath
Of man 10 praise him in the civilization
and Christianization Of Africa.
BY the hands OF tho ~ nists he ;s be-