The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-12-14
Extracts from jays &c View of the Action of
the Federal Government in Behalf of Slavery"

TSecond Edition. ]


RENEWED ACTION OF THE FEDERAL GOV ERNNtl.Nl in
BEHALF OF THE COLONIZATION SOCIETY.
We have already seen the character and extent
of the aid afforded by the Government to the Colo
nization Society under pretence of providing for
recaptured Africans. Some ofthe southern mem
bers of Congress. not fully understanding the true
tendency of this society, and believing its influence
hostile to slavery, objected to this aid on constu-
tional grounds, and it was d: continued, after an
expenditure of $264OO0 That the society is now
more Justly estimated appears from the following
recent testimonies in its behalf.
On the 10th of January, $780, Mr. Henry Wise,
q member Of Congress from Virginia, delivered an
address before the Colonization Society OF that
State. He remarked, that few years since he
became suspicious of the Society in consequence
of the sentiments avowed by some Of It's memoers'
That he had before that time been ":he Jealous
and active friend and advocate Of the great origin
al principles of the design, 10 secure and yjort9y
the institution of Slavery ITSELF by colonzing the
free people of color;' but he contesses that the
| line ofdemarcaton is non too strongly drawn
between abolition and colonization ever to be eros
! sed.
Their principles are Numerically opposed to
each other and their warfare will tend 10 press
each 10 occupy its appropriate ground and position
The Colonization Society must now MAINTAIN that
great original principle upon which ii was founded
I" friendship TO the shareholder"
In the month previous to the delivery of this
speech the Baldwin (Alabama) Colonization
Society issued an address Recommending cooni'
zation,
Because it proposes to remove from among us
degraded, useless, and vicious race.
Because we consider the measure of all others
best calculated 10 preserve good order and proper
discipline among OR SlarcS.
j "Therefore we deem the plan Of removing them
free blacks) from the United States, the most Ell
fectual method Of couneracting the abollllonists
u tits known that they are the most violent oppo
nents which the scheme Of colonization has TO Ell
counter. Their penetration has diScotered al
tendency, and they dencounce it as a scheme orig
mating among slaveholers for the perpetuatIon o
slavery.
"Nor should it be forgotten, that it (Afrca,) il
the natural home o! the negro race, and at safe
distance, whence MeY can necer return 10 The IN
jury to the Stare population. "-Afican Reposilo
RI for March, 1889.
Thus we see that the SOCIETY is now regarded
as friend and ally by both descriptions OF slave
holders, the breeders and tho planters II Is no
to be supposed that Mr.. Van Buren, is an matter
tive observer of the signs of the times. Colonl
, cation is just now very popular in Virginia, Geor
, gia. Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. Mr.
> Claws speech was delivered on the 9Th February
and was certainly calculated to propitate the slave
holders. He is, moreover, President OF the Col
. nization Society and it would be unwse to suite
him to engross the influence of the most etfectu
al method of counteractng the abolitionlsts.o u
the 10Th Of February, twelve days after Mr. Clay
= speech, the intentions Of the government were an
; nounced in the following letter, which was wlde
n circulated =
y al ought here to inform you that the govern
ment of the United States has come 10 our aid D
furnishing cannon, small arms, both muskels pls
= tolls, swords and rockets, and an abundant suppl
:, DENOMINATION, and two fine boats-aISo made on
. governor their agent for recaptured AFRICANS I!
;. at salary of $500 year-whlch IS so muc
h money besioDed on the society,"; and conildentI
q believe that ship of war will be sent to The Goa
$ of Africa to suppress the Stare trade There ne'
o er was time when African colonization had S
y strong claims on the benevolent public. Rcspec
If fully yours, , WIZ, ,,,>coN
q Gen Agent at the Am. Co.. Soc
Il Thus while Mr. Clay can only make speeche
. in behalf Of the great antidoe to aoonon' MS |.
d val is lavishng upon it the public funds under "a
70 palpabv false pretence of providing Tor recapure
h Africans. When it is recollected tha' our nav
~ rccontnres no Africans, and that II we had an
- such Africans to restore TO their country Tue