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

remarked that he should have no objection to going
upon mission of the kind if he was the choice of
the coored people, and could be released from his cir
cults informed him that I would put him in NOM
nation before them and taketheir decision upon the
subject; and that hoped some arrangement could be
made to supply his place in his pastoral charge. In
this he acquiesced, and of the opinion that the
Bishop of his church would likely allow his brother
who had just came to the country who was also q
minister to take his place.
After an address to the colored people Of Terre
Haute. from myself and the Hon. X. w. THOMPSON
on the subject they decided two questions presented
them. lst. Whether they would investigate the
character of Liberia by sending out man of their
color and choice, and at the expense of our So
ciety according to the resolution! And I'd. Who
was the of their choice
The first question was unanimously decided in the
affirmative and in reply to the second they unani-
mously elected Mr.. Revels.
AT Lafayette the course was taken. The
coored people were addressed, and vote taken on
the questions after 'free discussion of the
subject pro and con. On the first question we had
three dissenting voices; and on the second, four
against all others, in full house, in favor of Mr.
Revels.
We intended 10 have pursued the same course
throughout the State, where there were large settle
mens of coored people, but upon my return to Indi-
anapolis found that tidings of our proceedings at
Terre Haute had reached this place. and had produc-
SympdthiSe with the colored people," Many letters
had been written to Mr. R. demonstrating against his
course. Mr. r. said to friend here that his post
age amounted to about 671 cents per day, for some
days, on letters written this subject. And among
other things said to deter him from going Liberia
was, that if he did SO, he need calculate upon
being received again regular minister of the At
rican NJ. E. Church-that he would not.
Under the influence of such circumstances and
threats Mr. Revels declined going 10 Liberia, and
signfed the same to me in polite and respectful
note When it was known among the Aboltonists
that he had declined, there great exultation and
loy. The "fndidHd Fireman. in noticing it says
Rev Mr.. Kavanaugh in letter to the Liberia Her
aid says Mr.. Revels, (whom he is anxious to ban
ish from this country,) is very superior man." Will
Mr.. X. abate any thing from this compliment, now
that ii is known that Mr. Revels will not 90 to Lbe-
ria %
say, in the first place, that believe Mr. R., left
to the dictates of his judgment and inclination,
would have gone TO Liberia, examined the country
fully diScuSSed its claims "freely," and then have
returned and reported facts fairly and honestly to the
colored people Of Indiana, Just they And in
such a course he would have shown himself to be "d
rery superior man. in honesty and tried dignity wien
compared to you, Mr.. Freeman any of those
who seek, in this unworthy manner, to suppress the
truth on subjects Of this kind.
have to say, in the second place. that the asser-
ton that was ''anxlOuS TO Danish" Mr. r. "from
this country, as lchoRy false, and but serves to show
how little regard is had to truth in securing the
objects sought by such men.
have to say, in the third place, that all this pre-
tence about "Free Discussion" is, in my opinion,
false and deceptive. Why not allow investigation
to 90 forward which would show what Liberia was
I IF II is as worthless and miserable country as
Aboonists have represented, why not let the facts
come to the light If the citizens of Liberia are
suffering and discontinued, why not let colored man
90 and when he returns, expose all these facts to the
colored people, at an expense oftwo three hundred
dollars to the Indiana Colonization Society!
No, this discussion must stop. You do not believe
the stories you have been telling yourselves. You
are afraid Of The truth! You lore darkness And
why Because your eua deeds and falSehoodS lcOld
be erpoSed
But are you now safe! Can you always shut out
the light from those poor sufferers who held here
by your deusive policy! No, the light will shine
upon your darkness. and these people will it and
rejoice in it though ''you may not comprehend it"
You have greatly injured the coored both those
that are slaves and those who called free By
riveting the bonds of the slave more firm, and by
leading the free from their true interest. Butwe hold
the firm belief that colored are all other men,
disposed when they their interest, to follow it
and it will not be long before Liberia will be sought
after by the more Independent and intelligent and
light increases emigration will become the order of
the dav. The colored here will catch the noble
spirit of the free citizen of Liberia, and dsdan the
mean and servie walks of oppression here, and plant
his feet upon soil and breathe air that is Free
And when he bids adieu to earth for his eternal home
he will leave his poserty the free and equal heir
to all the rights of man. B. T. KAVANAUGH.
Indianapolis, April "a, 1876
-Mr Revels is an i.inerant minister of the African NJ.
+. Church.