American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-11-15
Reported for the American Republican,
INTERESTING COLONIZATION MEETING


Reported for the American Republican,
INTERESTING COLONIZATION MEETING.
We have not for long time witnessed so in
terestpg meeting as that which was beld in
Light street Methodist Episcopal Church on
Thursday evening, for the purpose Of promot-
ing the cause Of colonization. The congtega-
ton, though few in number, listened with
breathless attention and with the deepest inter-
est to the addresses which were delivered.
J. II. b. Latrobo, Esq, President oftho Mary
land Colonization Society, called the meeting
10 order. After prayer by the Rev. Bishop
Waugh, the Rev. DR.. Johns, Of the Protestant
Episcopal Church, agreoab!y to appointment
and to notice in the public prints, proceeded TO
address the meeting in most eloquent and
impressive manner. He said that the Coloni-
cation Society had its origin and foundation in
the lottlest principles of beneVocnce and pa
tglotSm, and that in connection with the nfiu-
ence Of Christianity, il had done much for the
amelioratlon OF the social and political condi-
ton Of the negro race. II holds out the only
hope Of the coiored man, and the Only means
Of restoring Kim to his proper grade in the scale
Of political existence. Il has the sanction and
the good will of the Southern States, and of
other sections of our country. The situation
and condition OF the negroes among US are OK
ceedngly uncomfortable and unpleasant. They
are prescribed and degraded people; they
are not admitted to tho right Of suffrage; they
are denied employment ia many departments Of
industry accessible to writes they are not
suffered to work IN northern factories, and in
the free western States, in Philadelphia, New
York, and even in Baltimore colorod labor is
displaced by that Of the whites
Africa alone affords an syllm from oppres-
and -, ,.,t,I
state Of perfect equality. Their condition
among us is almost hopeless; the immigration
OF foreign labor supplants them. The Coloni-
&ation Society invites them to awaken to a sense
Of their true interests, TO accept offers of free
dom and equalty---to 60 to Africa, where they
may govern themselves. Information obtained
from naval officers who have visited the colo
MES, and from other sources proves their aUiIi-
ty for selEgovernment. All admit that slavery
is 4 great evil. 1t has retarded the progress Of
the South in wealth and education. Land in
the South is not half so valuable or so we'll cul-
tivated as in the North. In some parts OF the
Eastern Shore Of Maryland land may be pur-
chased for S. an acre. On this side the line,
which divides the slave States from the free
States, the towns and villages are not to be
compared, in point Of beauty and neatness, with
those on the other. Education, too, languishes
better climate than they have in the North.
What, then, is the cause of our slow progress
in education and general improvement? The
Rev. gentleman here presented a number OF ar
guments to Prove that slavery has left moral
blight upon US, and concluded by urging upon
his hearers the claims of the Colonization
scheme.
The Rev. Mr.. Slcer, who succeeded, stated
two additional reasons for encouraging the cause
of Co!onlzltion: first, its favorable bearing upon
the Missionary cause, and secondly, It's lntiu-
ence in suppressing the slave trade. The So
ciety, it is true, cannot send out the whole free
colored population Of these States; it can only
send nucleus, around which future commun-
ties may concentrate. Africa must be enllght-
ened civilized and christiani2ed. Her sons
and daughters have been taken captive, and we
ought to indemnify her by restoring their de-
scendants to the land of their ancestors. CO.
lonization and Christianity will suppress the
slave trade, and build up great and happy com
munties in Africa. He concluded by solicit
ing u contribution to aid the cause,
After the collection was taken up, ]. II. B.
Latrobe, Esq, delivered an appropriate adj
dress, of which We can give but an outline
History, said he, does not furnish an instance
Of SO great colonial success as that which at
tended the settlement Of Maryland in Liberia
The settlers met with little resistance from the
natives; they did not have to encounter ster-
lie soil and rigorous climate The early set
tiers of North Carolina, Virginia and Mary
land were cavaliers; those OF New England
were Puritans they were men Of great learn
ing and courage, aud they boosted OF their An
glo-Saxon descent bat they were not exempt
from famine, pestilence and savage war. Cape
Palmas was chosen on account of its eligible
location for commerce; tho land was bought
from the natives; it WAS settled by poor hum
Bile negroes. Providence has guided the desti.
ny OF the colony; no untoward event has &C.
CURED to Ietard lis progress. Its population
has slowly hut steadily increased. no white
man holds an Office there. Mr.. Ruswurn, the
Governor, is cuored man, and an excellent
scholar The form Of government is Republi-
can; the law i0rblds the drinking of spintuous
liauois. Schools, forts, militia and vo!uAtoer
Companies, churches and courts Of Justice; are
established a IN every well regulated counu-
nifty. The settlers are engaged chiefly in me-
chanica and agricultural pursuits The soil
IS extremely pionic-two crops year being
often produced from the same tree. Fish, oys
tiers, game and every animal and vegetable pro-
ducton of the tropics are more than sufficient
ly abundant for the sustentaii0G OF great po-
pulation. The conclusion OF Mr.. l.. y remarks
was very tetcIous, and We regret that we
have not space 20 give them more at length.
Alter benedlcton by the Rev, DE-. Johns,
the meeting was dismissed.
We omitted to mention in its proper place,
that the brig Kent, with Is or lG emigrants,
will sail from tI,s port on Monday or Tues iay
for Cape Palmas THIS vessel has been fitted
out under the auspices Of the Colonization So
rlety.