The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-04-08
Adare.. Of Sea. a. M,Cu.nx, ESQ.

In an age like ours, peculiarly rich in
practical and benevolent schemes for the
advancement Of the human race. it is some
what surprising, at first glance, that AfIi-
can colonization has attracted so small
share of public attention, and so niggsrdly
an endowment from the public purse. This
evidently arises from no want OF philanthro-
ply, liberality, or enterprise. Thousands
OF dollars are annually expended by Chris
tan nations, in well intended efforts to
christianze and civiize the savage nations
OF the earth; millions have been spent by
Great Britain in liberating the African
slaves Of her colonies, and as yet with but
little effect in melioratiDg their social
condition. The other nations OF Europe
are rapidly following the example OF Great
Britain, in awaking TO a sense of the con-
dtion Of the African race in their colonies
but as yet no idea beyond giving them lib
erty, in the land to which they have been
transplanted, seems to have taken root any
where but in the United States. The phil
anthropy Of the Englishman, the French
man, and the Dane, looks no further than
the perilous gift Of freedom, in country
where certainly the full, moral advantages OF
the gift can never be enjoyed, and as yet
our country stands alone in the benevolent
and gigantic scheme Of removing the hber-
ated slave TO a spot where the degradation
Of centuries may be forgotten, and where he
may become benefit, instead Of nuisance
to the world. Even in our own country
the great subject Of colonization has as yet
created but little sensation in the public
mind. Nearly thirty years have elapsed
since the scheme was first broached, by a
few enlightened and benevolent statesmen
OF the old South and West, and during more
than half OF that time the result Of the effort
has hung in mournful suspense. Private
and individual contributors have alone sus-
tanned it. The Union and State Govern
ment have regarded it with cold indifference.
Powerful interests in the North have frown-
ed upon it, Even in the South, which has 80
vital an interest in its prosperity, it has a.
lines been regarded with jealous Ind dis
trustful eye, as tending to sap the deep foud-
dations Of domestic slavery. But under all
discouragements, and against all opposition
the great scheme Of colonization has still
CALAMITY held on its course, until family in
the distance we catch the dim and distant
outline Of that magnificent destiny which we
believe awaits it. 1t would be an easy task
did time permit, to point out the causes
which have rendered the progress Of coloni
cation so slow and painful. As have al
ready remarked, | attribute it to no want o.
Christian benevolence and enterprise. Blu
without adverting to other obvious and vel
known causes, arising from the deep pas
sions connected with slavery, il will be suf
icient to remark, that the advantages result
ing from colonization are much better cal
culated to attract the attention Of the states
man, rejecting in his closet, than Of thu
great masses, who throng the fields AMI
work shops Of our busy country. The dan
| ger which il seeks TO counteract is compare
lively distant, although surely approaching
Its fruits npen slowly, and do not presen
themselves glaringly to the eye. Time j
required FOR their development; and though
foresight and reflection are essential to
clear apprehension Of its distant consequen