South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1837-06-17

POPulotioi1, dClilS ulT6CIly ny lllelr CUT
rupting influence on the feelings and
passions Of the slaves, and indirectly
through the thousand channels fanati-
cism and false philanthropy were o.
pening; and finally, to vindicate and il
lustrate the great fundamental princi-
pies of liberty upon which our institu-
tons repose, and to the maintenance Of
which we stood gloriously pledged to
the world, by giving true freedom to
those who have a right to demand it,
and leading ultimately by just and eau
tious steps with the full consent ofall
parties and interests in the country to
the gradual emancipation of those
whose servitude is inconsistent with
the genius and spirit of our Constitu-
ton and our social and national prosper
ity were the noble objects of the foun-
ders Of this Society: and by defeating
it to such purposes, they must COM
mand and receive the gratitude of one
race and the applause of the other.
among its founders, yourname, sir,
Mr. Clay, who was in the chair, is
conspicuously enrolled /; and that voice
which first hailed the birth of South A.
merican. freedom, and from these walls
sent forth her eloquent and soul-stirr-
ing appeal, has since been often raised
in behalf Of this society. Among your
associates in this great enterprise are
some immortal names: and while man
has the spirit to be free, or the virtue to
be just, Madison, Marshall, and Mon
roe, will be the more venerated on this
account for they lived and died the
Jealous friends of this great charity.
Gone ofthese sages, whose spirit has
but recently joined those of his ascen-
ded compatriots, gave an enduring ev-
idence Of his attachment to the Socie-
ty and its principles, by a liberal be-
quest, rendered the more touching and
impressive from the fact, that the fund
to meet It's to be raised out of the pub
LEGATION of the History of the Conven-
ton which framed our Constitution.
from his own pen.
"Thus from the publication and diff
fusion OF this patriotic work, embodying
as it will the spirit and principles Of A
merican Liberty, has this beloved Fa-
Their of the Constitution reflected his
own opinions Of our Society, and at
tested the sincerity and fervour of his
support to it while he lived, by devot-
ing this great tribute of his pen to its aid
after his death.
'IS there not abundant reason to be-
lleve, that in some of the larger Com
monwealths ofthe South the cause of
Colonization is gaining ground? The
Reportju just read informs US that several
wealthy planters that section have al
ready manumitted their slaves for the
purpose Of conveying them, through
the means Of this society, to Liberia
while others are fast yielding their pre-
JUDGES and becoming the friends and
patrons of the Colonization scheme.
And why should the enlightened of a.
ny part OF the country hesitate? Col
onization, as our Society processes it;
is not, sir, that bugbear coniured up, as
fanatics charge, to disturb the tenure
between master and slave. 1t is a
mild, prudent, and safe principle, which
meditates great ultimate good to the
masters and the slaves, with the full
consent Of the former, and without in
trlnging upon or questioning vested
rights
"The Report also informs us, that
there are at this time upwards of 5000
emigrants at the Colony, partaking all
the blessings Of civilization and free
dom: And there, where the accursed
slave trade 20 years ago raised its bloc
dy banner and desolated the coasts of
Africa, you behold now, civilized, ed
ucated, erect man, walking abroad in his
own majesty, bearing on his brow the
stamp OF freedom, and in his hands the
charter of human rights.
"Africa is rising up from the sleep
OF barbarism; temples Of religion and
songs of praise are seen and heard in
her valleys and on her mountains,
"Star eyed Science seeks her votaries there
Already schools and colleges are thron-
ged by her sons and daughters; com
merce and trade are extending their
enterprises and indeed to one unac-
customed to such spectacle, it would
seem that some enchanter's wand had
been wavedoyer that benighted land
for 10 sit blooms and blossoms like the
rose" her rocks have been struck, and
the waters of life and knowledge are
gushing forth; her dead form has been
terminated, and Africa will be redeem-
ed.
"Who, thon,sir can behold all this, and
not bless the motives and acts ofthis So
ciety?-and may we not certainly con.
template the period when the whole of