Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1835-09-17
TOWN MEETING,

ordered to be published in all the papers
of the town. The following is the Re-
port at length:
At legal meeting of the freemen of the
town of Newport, held at the State House
| Sept. 14th, 1885.
| The committee appointed on the 25th of
! August last, TO prepare resolutions expressive
of the opinion of the freemen Of this town, on
the subject Of the attempts now making by
the abolitionists, calculated to produce insur-
recton in some of the States of the Union in
obedience to that order, report the subjoined
resolutions: Henry Bull,
Il Is. Hazard.
/ Thos. G.. Pitman,
i r. b. Cranston.
Il Resolved, That while we hold as sacred the
right of every man to the full enjoyment Of
his opinions upon all subjects, and should de-
precate any interference with the exercise of
it, we equally deprecate the ubuse of that
right, and condemn the conduct of those who,
under the pretence Of exercising it, industri-
ously employ themselves not only in propaga-
ting the most pernicious doctrines, but in
practices incompatible with the peace and
safety Of the community.
II ReSoiUed, That while we sincerely deplore
the evils Of fslavery-evils which we doubt not
are even more deeply deplored, because more
deeply felt, by our brethren ofthe slave-hold-
ing States-we are firmly convinced that the
immediate emancipation of the slaves in those
States, (which is demanded by the abolition
lists of the present day. would be productive
of far greater evils, not only TO the white pop
ulation but to the slaves themselves; for with
out insisting that the African race labor un-
der any peculiar mental or physical disabili
ties, it is enough to remark, that it is a race
whom nature herself has distinguished by in
delibc marks, and whom the most Jealous
asserters of their equality admit to be-if not
a distinct species-at least, variety of the
human species; and all experience has shown
us that distinct races (if we may not say spe-
cies) Of men, can never be so far assimilated
as to embrace the same views of the common
good; or to unite in pursuing the same COM
mon objects and interests. Whether Justly
or not the colorcd race will always continue
to be looked upon as an inferior order of be-
Iings, and they on their part would never
cease to remember the long abject condition
of their race. No degraded race of men was
ever yet satisfied with being raised to foot
ing of equality. They never feel that equal
ity, nor believe it to be acknowledged by 9TH
ers. They remain unsatistied until they have
gained all undisputed mastery; and every
step they are advanced, instead of exciting
their gratitude, does but strengthen the hos
tility of their spirit, by giving them nearer
/ prospect of triumph and revenge. There are
few SO infatuated as to believe that this race
of people can even be so Incorporated into the
mass of society, as to form one Identical peo-
/! pie, freed from all traces Of former distinc-
ton. Nothing, indeed, but the most deprav-
ed taste, feelings and principles, can bring
any man to wish for such condition of things.
( The laws Of our nature will not be suspended
or changed, to realize the spcculations of
dreaming theorists But, until this shall come
to pass, this race, if emancipated, must re-
main by themsclves-and act by themselves;
not in harmony, and as equals, but in subser-
viency or hostility; or both, by turns. If, in
the non slave holding States these evils are
less perceptible. it is because the source of
them is more confined. Yet even in those
States, in the large cities, where the people
of color chiefly resort, serious disturbances,
and even danger have frequently been occa-
stoned by them. Great, therefore, as was
the original error of introducing slaves into
the country, it would be a far greater error
and evil ever to resort to the experiment of
converting them into frcemen, to remain in
the same country where they are held as
slaves. Such an experiment would spread
! desolation over the country, and end only in
the final determination of those people them
selves, as well us in the destruction Of great
| portions OF the white population.
| Resolved, That in the opinion of this meet
| ing, the only rational plan for mellorating the
condition of the people of color, is that which
our brethren of the slave-holding States have
most zcalously endeavored to promote-the
plan of providing healthy and fertile coun-
| try, which, ifthey will, they and their poster
! lty shall possess as their own; and in which,
under the protection and fostering care of
the American nation, they may reap the
/ fruits Of their industry, and enjoy the bles-
sings of self-government and freedom: if, up
on trial, they shall prove capable of such en-
Ijoyment Genuine mot ieigned) humanity
as well as wisdom aud patriotism, are the ba-
sis Of that plan. II would secure to the freed
! people of color the only real home and coun-
| try they can ever call their own the only re-
al freedom and equality they can ever pos
sess.--That plan, too, cherished as it ought
to be by the whole American people-and,
! (upon the application of the save-holdlng
States) aided by the whole power and rcsour-
ces of the national government, would open
the brightest, and we believe the only pros.
pect OF a gradual aud general emancipation
of the slaves. And yet the pretended friends
of the blacks, exert themselves to dissuade
those that have been freed from accepting
this boon, and the slaves from accepting It
with their freedom. Nothing, we think, could
more completely unmask them aud expose
the insincerity Of their professions Of human
lily and phlIanthrophy.