The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-02-12
Colonization Meeting Mr. Clay's
Speech.
Speech.

The American COLONIZATION Society neld
its 3lst annual meeting at Washington, on
Tuesday. We copy from the New York
! Herald sketch of Hon. Henry Clay's re-
marks on being reelected President of the
Society:
Mr. CLAY then rose and was received WITH
nine times nine, which were repeated. In
deed, we never heard speaker greeted by
such tremendous applause. When order
was in some degree restored, he snid--
1t was rather against his wishes that lie
found himselfudyertised to address the soci-
ETY. this evening. Although he had no re-
proaches TO make against those who had
placed him in the position he occupied, Inc
must say, he could not but think, that those
who had selected him, as we'll as the vast
concourse before him, would be disappoint-
ed at the result He had Just terminated long
and vast journey, made in the midst OF winter
aud, wherever he had stopped, II had been
his lot to be surrounded by lhrongs, who had
prevented him from being able 10 collect his
thoughts upon any subject lie had come to
this meeting without a single note, and with
scarcely any mental preparation upon the
subject; and, therefore, he would advise all
who had come here with the expectation OF
hearing something extraordinary, 10 make up
their minds to be disappointed, aud YET Ie
owned there was something of intere9l III
The subject he meant 10 speak on. Besides
The circumstances already repeatedly aGNer-
ted to, of my having been one of those who
met in this city thirty years ago, 1t has been
some wears since he had the honor of stand
ing in the relation lie now was in, that of
Chairman of the society, and in all human
probability it was the last time he would
have the opportunity To 10 so. You have been
told that some thirty years ago Ike Rev. Mr.
Finley, and some other gentlemen, agreed
TO form Colonization Society. He lMr Clay
was one Of that number They did not a.
gree or propose TO do anything more than 10
found colony, to which any free person of
color might 60 We contemplated no COM
pulson; we intended 10 have the whole free
aud unconslrained conditions; home where
the blacks shond 20, and find themselves on
an equality with their fellows. Far was ii
from the intention of the gentlemen who
founded the society, TO deprive any one of
their propcrty-to place it in any danger, or
affect ii In any degree whatever. We did not
stop TO enquire whether slavery was right or
wrong; we merely considered the fact that
black people could rot live i'll a state oiequal-
ity with white people, and upon that fact we
acted. He knew there were men who as
serted there should he no distinction ofcolor
that all men were born equal. We did not
stop to argue that question, hut took The fact
as it existed, and acted upon it. We would
place the black man where he would associ-
ute with his own color, and where he would
enjoy all the liberty and privileges that were
eni, red by his fellows. As he stated before,
the obiects OF ,he society were confined 10
the free people % color They wished to
demonstrate the fact that suc! system could
lie produced, and leave it TO the owner OF the
slaves to do as they pleased. They wished
a. tl,n NNfhn (.
but they did not wish TO interfere in the slight
est degree with any MANS property or inter
est Well, gentlemen of the colonization So
ciety, it has been stated that since the society
had been started it had been surrounded
with difficulties. We've striven with fire
both in front and rear. Those who were in
avowed hostility 10 the dissolution of slavery
attacked us; whilst on the other hand, those
who were in favor ofthe abolition of slavery
attacked us, Well, what reason had either
of these parties to do so? He had stated the
objects of the society. They were merely
with the view TO The amelioration ofthe con-
dtion of those blacks already free. In carry
| ing out the object ofthe Colonization Society
colonizing the free blacks of the United
States vast amount of benefit 10 the human
race would be acquired. What is the objec
of the abolitionist? To emancipate forthwith
all the black population ofthe United States
Very well; ii tney accomplish mat lnen ou
object begins-our object is to carry them t.
a country where they are on an equality, boil
as regards color as we'll as feelings. W.
have gone on with this determination, neithe
turning to the right or left. 1t had been salt
that this Society was too limited in its powe
TO be able to be of any real service, even al
lowing it's objects to be good. But the Soci
ETY. had never supposed that, without the as
sistance of some of the States or fthe gov
, eminent, they should carry out their plan o
sending all the free blacks TO Africa. The
: intended merely TO demonstrate the fact tina
it was possible, and having done SO, an
l shown that the country is capable ofsuppor
, ing them, who can doubt that the Unite
- States will assist the work? 1t is urged in or
position to the plan of colonization, that Til
is the country of the black. Why,gentlemel
g undoubtedly all blacks born here, claim tn
as their country; and so could all the 1srae
q ties born in Egypt, claim that as their coul
: try; and so could those born in the desert n
O sert they belonged to the wilderness; but Il
= Lord directed it otherwise. The promise
0 land was their land, and to that they were
nally taken as their home. (Cheers.) Al
who can doubt that Africa is, in fact, Il
% home of the black man, although, casually,
= few blacks have been born here? Here tht
70 cannot happily remain; and is it not tollowir
= the divine example TO carry back TO the
l. homes those who have been dragged fro