Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-04-30
Free Discussion.

The words placed It the head of this article have
been peculiar vortes with Abolitionsts from their
first organization to the present time. They have
all occasions earnestly contended that free discus
SiOn' was essential to the proper understanding OF
every important subject and under this motto have
taken great liberties in abusing every body and every
thing which would not join in with them In their
TRADE upon the South, and what they pleased to
call pro slauery men" in the North.
But to the sober and candid, who give to every SUBJ
Ject due consideration and Importance, and who have
made themselves ACQUAINTED with the dOingS as well
the sayings of this parity, will be manifest
that there is but little discussion of any kind
among them; but in the course taken there is a
:free'' of offensive ephets and sweeping denun-
Citations and but little else.
But to give case in point, and to show how very
far these Liberty opposed to .'discus-
sion, will here state the policy determined upon
by the Indiana Colonization Society in regard to
sending emigrants Liberia and their conduct in
reference to it.
The Board of Managers of our Society, being well
convinced that the free people of color of State
would greatly better their condition by emigrating
to Liberia, where there is now a most happy and
prosperous community of their color, enjoying
the full blessings of civil and religious liberty, and
an extensive commerce. determined TO offer them the
OF fully investigating the subject for them
selves at the expense of our society. 10 effect which
object they adopted the following resolution on the
board
Resoued, That it is expedient that person per-
of the colored people of this State should be
SENT with the appreciation of the American Colonial
ton Society, being Cor mem of worth, piety
and TALENT possessing the confidence of the colored
people, and the Agent of this Society to Liberia, and
Investigate fully 10 all matters of interest 10
grants from this country, and otter suitable absence
to return and report"
copy of this resolution was Immediately forward
ed to Washington City for the appreciation of the
American Colonization Society ;-and, they were
in favor of "fee discussion" they readily gave their
sanction. The next object to make the selection
of man ''of worth piety and talent, possess
ing the confidence of the coored people and the agent
of this Society,", go upon the proposed mission
of "free discussion and full investigation When
the subject was brought before the coored people in
indianapolis, several found disposed go, If
they selected. The Agent being stranger to
most Of them avaled himself of the counsel of some
of the Oldest citizens of the place in whose judgment
he had great confidence. He was advised to visit
Terre Haute and to present the subject TO Rev. W.
lis r. Rerels, the most suitable man, In the opn-
ion of many, in the State He did so. went to
Terre Haute and found Mr.. Reves, and was much
pleased with him. | was introduced to him by Rev.
A. Johnson, now pastor of the Methodist church
there and in his presence introduced the subject 70
him-read the resolution, and explained its objects
The subject was fayorabiy received by MIR. R., who