Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-08-19
From The Baltimore americas.


From The baltimore americas.
We give the following extract from an
article in the New Orleans Courier of re-
cent date. The subject it alludes TO is
one, which, however put off from time to
time, must be considered-and will be
considered
Twenty years have elapsed since some
of the most distinguished citizens of the
Old States, set on foot system of colon-
cation, TO drain off the free colored popula.
ton of the Union. Within these twenty
years. about three thousand have been
sent to Africa, while near four hundred
thousand remain behind. Yet the Amer.
can colony is no contemplate place--it
extends along 200 miles Of coast, and runs
considerable distance inland. Respect.
able towns, with school houses, churches,
&c., have been established genial gov
ernments, municipal and general, have
been created, and the spirit OF commercial
and agricultural enterprise has been fairly
awakened. The mshaps and mortality
attending the enterprise have thus far been
much less than those which marked the
first peopling by Europeans of this coun-
try. The colony Of Plymouth and that
at jamestown suffered much heavier loss
es from sickness and savage aborigiues.
There IS first cost about all colonization
efforts in new climes, which no sagaci,y
or foresight can entirely evade. The ex.
pertinent in Africa, we must say, has been
slngulnrly fortunate, and affords, we think,
10 sufficient ground of objection to its op.
ponents."
We may remark that thus far all that
colonization has done on the coast of Af.
RIGA has been preparatory, and IN view Of
results which are to be brought about by
other agency than its own. To suppose
that individual or associated benevolence,
even with the aid OF public funds, could
ever succeed in transferring the great
mass of the free colored population from
this country to Africa, is thing out OF
the question. Colonization has embarked
in no such impracticabe undertaking.
But it has commenced, and so far as it
has gone, it HIS carried out happier idea.
1t is building up community of free and
industrious people, whose prosperity will
bear witness to the capacity of the Afri.
can race for self-government, under cir.
cumstances which admit Of it and invite to
it. More II an this-it establishes home
which must provo more attractive TO the
free colored people OF this country, than
the Western Republic is to the laboling
classes of Ireland and Germany. Let all
active commerce once spring up, as in time
II will, between the ports Of Liberia and
our own, SO that the free coloured people
may knop the actual facts Of that CO.
onial prosperity which they now hear
OF and are slow to credit let the impress.
sion, too, be fixed in their minds, and gain,
as II must, the strength Of an inevitable
certainty that in this country their condi.
ton can never be other than that Of social
and political subjection-then will the
true ends Of colonization realize them.
selves in the spontaneous emigration OF
this class who will themselves find the way
for their own transit to the land of their
ancestors.-The philanthropy of individ-
uals and of Societies will then find tangi.
BILE and particular objects in every neigh
bofhood and the best feelings Of kind
ness which have grown up out of the con-
nexion Of the two races, modifying its DIFF
ficu.ies and harmonising its relations, will
be brought into wholesome exercise.
Let no one say that contamination oil
this kind is not worth, thousand times,
all the Efforts that have been made to Sc
cure it. Nay, whether finally attained to
the full extent or not, every effort that is
made accomplishes at all events positive
4 good to the measure of its compass. Ma
RYLAND, at least, has had faith enough in
the principle 20 give it her sanction and
support. In the success Of the colony al
Cape Pamas sufficient vindication OF
her policy is already to be found and in
the earnest which that prosperous settle.
ment affords of future usefulness, other
slave holding States may discover strong
and cogent reasons for adopting the same
system Of independent State action on this
delicate subject which does not well ad.
init OF any extraneous interference.
Mr.. II. Williams, who, contrary to the