Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1838-01-04

considering the noble sims and humane
purposes Of this Society. there is an
honor resulting from the Office Of pre-.
siding 81 its deliberations yreater Than
ANY which can be communicated even
oy their illustrious names. II was es-
tablished twenty years ago. and the
peaceful acquisition VI large territory
IN Africa, eight aourishing settlements
and towns. containing a population al
ready civilized. or in the process ofci.
vilization. with schools Of Instruction a.
10 our duties here below, and temples
erected 10 the ever living God. pointing
TO the hopes and blessings Of Chris.,ani-
~ above. attend the success Of The Ia
bors Of The Society. and encourage to
further and ipvigorated exertions.
/ The Society was formed to demon
state the praciicrbili,y OF colonization
! in Africa. and, IL IL were nnhappily
dissolved tomorrow, that great purpose
lof It's founders will have been COM
lPletely accomplished. No one can now
doubt that with The application Of ade-
/ qnatc means. such rs the Government
Of the several States and Of the Union,
could supply, almost without an effort.
the colonization OF the descendants OF
the African race may be effected TO
amy desirable extent. The founders
oi the Society never imagined ,ha, de.
pending as il does upon spontaneous
contributions from the good and the
benevolent. irregularly made, without
an established revenue. and without
I power, the Society alone wac compe-
tent TO colonize all the free persons Of
colour. in the Uuited States. They
hoped. and the Society still hopes, that.
seeing what has been done, and can be
done, Governments may think 6t 10
take bold Of the principle. and carry it
out as far as they may deem right, with
their ample powers and abundant re-
sources. /. u IS
The object ofihe Society was 20 col
onizs, with their own voluntary con-
sent, the free persons Of colour in the
Uniied States. II had nothing coer-
cave or compulsory aboutit. II neither
had the disposition nor the power to
apply force. Throughout It's whole
existence it has invariably adhered 10
that principle. II never sought to
Shake or affect in the slightest degree
the tenure by which any properly is
held. II believed that the States alone,
in which the Institution Of slavery ex-
lists, bad the exclusive right to decide
upon its continuance or termination ~
IL hoped to be able to do what IL has
done--to point out a mode by which
any Of them or any Of their citizens
might find home and a refuge for Ii
bersted slaves. And, accordingly.
many humane proprietors ofslaves have
embraced the opportunity thus offered.
IL has been objected against the So
ciety that it aim aud tendency have
been 10 pespetu ate slavery, and to draw
still :ighler the bonds OF the slave
lIt has on the other hand, been pro-.
claimed that ats purpose is to abolish
slavery forthwith and 10 let loose tho
untutored and unprepared slaves upon
society. Both objections cannot be
founded in truth. Neither is. The
Society does not NEEDLE with slavery
either to prpiong or discontinue its ex.
istenee. lis abstract opinion, or. rather
the abstract opinions of its members,
is well known. They believe il de-
plorable evil; but here ii is 10 be touch
ed. il a ell. WITH all The greatest eau
ton and deIicacy and oniy~wiih autho-
rised hands. Both principle and policy
restrain the Society from disturbing it,
principle, because the Society believes
tina, Is IS matter exclusively apper.
tanning 10 the States and citizens i'm
media,eIy concerned; and policy. be-
cause toa gitate The subject a; ell, would
deprive the Society Of the co-opers-
ton Of large portion Of the Union,
and prevent it from accomplishing an
alsai6able good by the pursuit Of what
it is constrained TO think al impfaotica-
bic and dangerous object.
But the Society attacks no person
and no associations. u neither assails
those who believe slavery a blessing,
nor those who. believing II great
curse. seek It's immediate exiirpssiOn.
II pufsues the even tenor OF its way
appealing TO the understanding. 10 ihe
humanity. and 20 the religion Of an
enlightened community. II bad hoped
10 escape unmented Fsproaei1es and
unjusi,fabIe attacks, bot Il has not, and
has only defended itself. Becaufe u
cannot agree OF. Cooperate viib ibe
aboliuoBists. they assail u. Because u
believes that the agitation Of the qses-
ton Of abolition u bnWise and unhap.
/ py. alike destructive 20 ,he harmony 81
che whites snd injurious 10 the cause
Of the blacks, which y espo8sed. the
motives and purposes oi colonization
are'aii rissepfeseated and condemned.
Why should this b. The roads Of
colonization and abOliiion lead Ia differ
ent Jirsc6ous, bul they do not cross
each ether. Ws deal. only With free
gers0ss ii CT firir ef5rts are d.
teeied toward lave. We seek 20
better the eondi ~ a the free person
Of colour ihsy the slave. WHY should
our hnmsae design be iwpeded o. de-
ridsd o. ihvarisd By those Wbo profess
| 81 BE- IN the ufosfc uiion Of another bat