The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-21

demned. Why should this be- The roads OF coloni-
zation and abolition lead in different directions, but
they do not each other. We deal only with free
persons Of color their efforts directed towards the
slave. We seek TO better the condition Of the free
person Of color they the slave. Why should our hui
name design be npeded OF derided twared by those
who profess be IN The prosecution OF another but dis
tnct design which they profess TO consider also hui
inanei No, gentlemen, we are no uTaists. we
neither seek to perpeuaie nor TO abolish slavery, Our
object is totally different from either, and has been pro-
claimed and clung to from the beginning of the Society
10 this hour.
II has been contended that Colonization is sogether
incompetent 10 effect separation OF the two races OF
population that the evil Of discordant and neon
gruous elements must continue, unless some more po"
erul agency discovered and that the Amercan 20
onizaiion Society has been able 10 accomplish nothing
deserving Of any serious consideration
Those who thus assam SEEK TO try us by an imagi
nary standard of their creation They argue, hat
the whole Of the African portion oil our Popuiauon
amounts TO some two three millions; that IN period
of twenty years we have been able to COLOMBO only
few thousand and hence they infer that Colonization
cannot exerc sc any sensible effect upon the Of the
African element Of the American population Now,
that we ask to be red by the standard oil our own
promises and pledges. Have ever held out TO the
community that iiis Society. without power, without
even act Of incorporation from the General Govern
ment without any regular revenue could separate The
two classes of the American popnlaton, and colonlze
the African portion OF il Have not invariably DIS
claimed any purpose part, to interfere, IN any
whatever with the larger part oil 1.-THE slaves!
Have We not on the contrary, constantly avowed our
intention TO be TO coonize only FREQ persons oil color,
with their voluntary consent We have thought, and
we have said that we believed that the principle OF CO.
lonzalion susceptible of being applied 10 the extent
Of total separation of the two But we have not
attempted it. We have left lhat to the care and the
judgments Of those who alone rghtuly and consti-
iuonaIly decide the matter We promised only TO be
the pioneer aud TO show the practicabty OF the pnncl-
Pile And have not with the blessing OF Providence,
already successfully fulfilled every Just expectation tat
ever authorized!
Those who complain Of the tsrdy operations of the
Society should rccoect that great national enterprises
to be speedily executed like those of individuals,
in the short span OF the life Of person Many years,
sometimes more than century, may DO necessary TO
their completlon and this emphacaily the case when
we reflect upon the magnitude and the duration OF the
wrongs inflicted upon Africa. Near two centuries
elapsed during which her were constantly trans
ported to the shores of the New World, doomed TO
state of bondage period of similar extent may pos
sbly be necessary TO their descendants TO the
parent country, with all the blessings OF law and liberty,
religion and civilization sudden aud instantaneous
separation Of the two races, if it possible would
be good for neither for either country We should
be greatly affected by immediate abstraction 10 such
extent, from the labor aud industry Of our coun-
Try and Africa could be prepared, morally or ply
scay, TO receive and sustain such vast multitude OF
enigrants For both parties and for all interests the
process Of separation like the original unnatural union,
had perhaps better be slow and gradual And the con
song reflection may be entertained that during every
step IN its progress good will have been done.
The surprise should not be that so little has been
effected, but that much has been achieved by the
Society," with snch scanty aud precarons at its
command There stand the colonies, on tho shores OF
Africa, planted under its auspices. With but little or
no farther aid from this country they possess nhe
reny the power Of sustaining themselves and protect
ing their existence The practcabity Of colonization
is forever demonstrated Let then persevere in the
great and good cause and let US hope that the same
Providence which has hitherto smiled upon US will con-
tinue 10 extend to our abors His countenance and
blessings. promise jealous and hearty co-opera-
ton.