Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1842-01-31
COLONIZATION.

President of The Hamilton county Colonization
Society, read at meeting of the Society in
Cincinnati, OH Tuesday the 9th OF Nov. Is4l.
AS tar as human intellect can penetrate futuri-
ty, or draw conclusions from the past to ascertain
that which is to come, not rny of light can be
discovered, indicative OF amy change that can i'm
prove the social and political condition of our col
ored population.-They are separated from us by
feelings which are SO strong and SO deeply rooted
that they caunut be overcome. Experience
proves the truth of this position. With here and
there an exception, the great mass of the white
population manifest the same repulsive feeling
aud the same sense of superiority, which have
characterized former generations. What encour-
agement is there, them to hope for change /?
Such change may be expected, when the Loop
ard changes his spots and the Ethiopian his skin,
but not before. What then must be done? Is
there no hope-no relief for these dsconsoIate
peopes Are they to live and die in despair, be-
queathing that, and that only as an Inheritance TO
their offspring? | answer honestly and sincere
ly, that if they persist in remaining here, my in
genuity cannot discover or devise remedy.
The repeancies which have thrown them on
the back ground, have not and will not relax
The cause which has brought about their present
condition fear will never cease 20 operate and
30 long as it exists, it must produce it's legitimate
effects.
Reason, confirmed by experience, conducts to
the conclusion that Two races of men, papably
distinguished not only IN personal appearance.
but in habits manners and cast, affiliate, or
become united, harmonious people. An equal
ity OF rights cannot exist between them. The
strong party will not concede it, nor can the weak
party extort it. Every effort of that character
must fail and every failure will but aggravale the
evil. The visible distinction produced by natural
causes, which have operated for thousands Of
years, must continue and perpetuate the separa-
ton existing between the races
Certainly, no philanthropist can desire to con-
tinue the prlvatons to which the man of color is
subjected, and yet every person who exerts an
influence to retain him in this country is practic-
ally doing so, and is prolonging his degradation
and misery The proposition is selfevident. No
course of reasonieg can prove ii more clearly
than the simplest words in which it can be stated
that that unfortunate race men, while they con-
tnue here, never can elevate themselves above
their present grade and while occupying that
grade, never can enjoy The blessings of real free
dom.
They are not only deprived of all the political
rights Of reemen, but are subjected 10 the morti-
flying reflection, that they are esteemed and treat
ed an inferior race. On the suppositon, that
this state of things cunnol be changed, can he he
a phanthropst, friend 10 The colored race, who
advises them to continue in this country, and live
upon hope never TO be realized' Such philan-
lhropy was not taught in the schools with which
/ have been familiar.
The question then recurs, can these unfortunate
people remain where they are with the most dis
tant hope of bettering their prospects? If not,
then another question presents ITSELF what can
they do TO improve their condition.? Surely, heir
case is not hopeless Providece cannot have de-
signed to keep them always in their present de.
graded state. No. on the contrary, it has provid
ed for them an asylum-a city of refuge and
multitude Of real philanthropisis stand ready TO
aid them in seeking its protection
The Colony of Liberia in their iaiherand, one
of the most fertile regions on the EARTH has been
planted for them and their children. The diff.
cutes and priyaions to which they are now sub
lecteJ, were ioreseen many years ago by FINLEY,
MILLS, AsHMUN, CALDWELL, and others, most of
whom have been gathered 10 their fathers. Those
men, as il by inspiration, conceived the noble
plan of preparing for the unfortunate African
found in this country sale refuge in the land Of
his fathers. That plan has been executed by great
effort, and with unparalleled success. Aided by
the liberal contribution Of thousands who feel for
the wrongs Of Africa it has resulted in the eslab-
lishnent of free, independent, republican gov
eInment conducted and managed exclusively by
people of color. Travellers, who have visited
Liberia, concur in representing il as one of the
most hourlshlng and promising colonies that has
ever been formed. Many OF them speak in rap
lures OF the industry order, and sobrlely Of the in
habanis. Tbey describe the great fertility of the
soil, and tho ease of procuring not only a com
Portable living, but of accommodating wealth. The
farms are wei improved, ana churches ana
schools are provided in every settlement. The
soil is unusually luxurant-its products are count
less in variety-many of them are spontaneous,
and such as require labor yield TO the cultivator
abundant returns. The products OF the country
beyond the wants of the Inhabitants already sus-
saln large and lucrative commerce, the profits
OF which are enrichng the colored merchants !;
and the interior trade with the natives is increns-
ing and becoming more and more profitable.
This traffic, both foreign and domestic, is enjoyed
exclusively by the people Of the Colony, in which
there no white merchants TO compete with
them. The natural products OF tho earth and the
forest, which now sustain this trade, are said 10
be inexhaustibe, and TO constitute a source Of
wealth which must continue to enrich the nhab-
itants for ages TO come. The most authentic re-
ports made officially to the society, represent the
health of the colonsts TO be at least equal to that
enjoyed by the frontier settlers Of the Western
States, and far greater than fell to the lot Of the
FIRST adventures to The Colony Of Virginia.