The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-05-16

4 Gently, WnlIe lne interests OF lIDoTAds
feebleness and its unsettled relations. have been
exposed to hazard, and the increasing comnl6fce
Of Africa tempted various nations to found e6{ab-
lishments in its vicinity the coast, 1t has seeg-
ed exceedingly important that measures should
be prosecuted to enlarge its territory and jufis-
dicton, and guard against restrictions upon its
growth. Much may be done by the contributions
Of individuals, still more by the friendly interpo-
siton of the government We doubt not that fifty,
or even twenty thousand dollars expended through
! the government Of Liberia, or some consular or
commercial agent of our own, for the purchase
of territory, aud to further negotiations with the
African tribes, would effect more for the abolition
of the slave trade, the interests of commerce, and
the general cause Of humanity, than five times
this amount expended in any other way To
arouse the attention of the States and of Congress
to this subject, was main purpose of the coEven-
ton Of the friends Of the cause that assembled
two years ago in this city. In submitting reso-
luton for the call of this convention TO meeting
Of the friends Of the institution, the writer was
moved by the conviction that the cause had not
for some time been upheld with distnctness and
in it's full original proportions to the observation
of those in power, and that it was expedient and
necessary to invite the members of State legls-
latufes, and our representatives in Congress, 20
examine and discuss its merits in all aspects and
to every extent. Under the sanction Of this con-
yenton, an appeal was made to the legislatures
Congress, from the pen of the much lamented
Mr.. Key, and the able report upon il, BY Mr.. Ken.
| needy, of the House of Representatives, followed
| its deliberations.
The Importance of a correspondence on the
part of our government with those of Great Bri-8
tain and France, was clearly seem and With the
appreciation of the Executive Committee Of The
Society, application was made TO the Secretary Of
4 State, soliciting the intervention and influence
i of the Executive with these powers in behalf Of
Liberia, and the letters which have passed bee
tween the Department Of State and the English
Minister, and between Mr.. Everett and Lord
Aberdeen, give reason to anticipate beneficial re-
suits In these Efforts and publications, it il evil
sIelent 10 the undersigned that his pFoabinent
|nents in the late Board of Direction felt little
interest and expressed less sympathy. attempt
rot to penetrate their motives, the causes Ut
their apathy / state an apparent fact that they
i regard as unimportant what The writer deems es-
sential, perhaps question policy which all h:s
i experience and reflection induce him TO consider
of vital consequence 10 the cause. They admire
/ the anomalous contrvance called the constitution
| of the Society," repeatedly modified and shaped in
an extraordinary manner for peculiar ends, anti
popular in its nature and the conditions OF its ex-
stence while to change this constitution in some
important particulars, he regards one of the high
est duties Of the friends of the Society. TO
| have rema ned longer then in connection with the
Society, would have been to sacrifice his infiu-
ence, (smaIl az that may be,) inconsistent with
his published opinions of duty in such case, and
tend to strengthen and perpetuate evils which it
may be more necessary, because difficult TO re-
NEEDY. a.@t
The Society," Of the District Of Columbia for the
i colonization and civilization Of Africa was organ
i lied by an intelligent body of citizens from the
three cities of this District, ardenty attached to
the object Of the American Colonization Society.
and who subsequently disappearing the proceed
ings of the Board of Directors in relation to the
office of Secretary, and concurrng Gas the writer
has reason to believe) in the views just expressed
altered to its present form their constitution, and
who, while responsible only to their consciences
and the public Judgment, will cooperate in all
| proper measures to advance the scheme of Afri-
can colonization and civilization, by exhibiting its
value, raising funds therefor; and having stated.
| as in duty bound, without concealment or dis
guise, the causes and reasons of their position,
will, as far as may be, point out and correct the
errors, strengthen and extend the foundations,
build up the character and fortunes, and rejoice in
the integrity and increased usefulness and honor
of that truly national institution. To it. their as
ISOLATION stands not 90 a rival; it can never be-
come an enemy. Contributions may be made ex-
pressly through it, that society, by its Execu-
tive Committee be appropriated to it, or if given
for the specific purpose Of African civilization or
entrusted to the discretion Of the Committee, may
| be expended through such channels and agencies
as promise in their view most effectually to SUBJ
| serve the benevolent purposes of the donors -
The Executive Committee of the American Colo
nization Society (throughlwo of its leading MEM
bers, approved, it is believed, the recent proceed
ngs, to which we have referred, of the directors)
| it is not doubted, will apply, according to their
best Judgment, for the interests OF Liberia, any
| funds entrusted to their care. But should the
| friends of African colonization throughout the
Union contribute all their funds during the year
to the Treasurer of the District Society (and the
American Colonization Society appears to have
no Treasurer) the cause instead Of being injured
. might be benefited, by this expressed disappro-
baton Of error and impocy, and influence secured
for the correction Of both. Unexceptonably, in
this way, can those who agree with the District
Society OH the subject Of the organization and
policy most conducive to the strength and benei-
cence of the American Colonization Society. de-