The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-02-01
COLONIZATION SOCIETY
SPEECH OF HENRY CLAY.
Reported for the TriJ,tne

uoh OF regard ana enthusiasm, he proceeded
as follows:
Gentlemen Of the Colonization Society:
1t haslbeen some years since have had tb,
honor of standing or sitting in the place which
1 occupy this evening and you will allow m,
to say that, in all human probability. it will b.
the last instance IN which may ever appear
before YOU.
You have been told that about thirty wear.
ago, Rev. DIR. Finney of n J. and Others will
him, met here and consulted and agreed upon
the great principles Of the foundation of thi:
Society. l was one Of that number. At first
we did not intend to do more than establish 2
Colony on the Coast Of Africa, to which the
free people of color in the q. S might volunta-
MY, with then own free consent, without the
least restraint and compulsion, proceed and en-
JOY untrammelled those social and political
privileges which under the circumstances OF
the case they could not enjoy here. We sub
mtted the whole to their unconstrained voli-
ton. 1t was very far from the purpose of those
who came together on that occasion, to inter-
fere with the title to slaves; we did not wish
TO affect that title in the least degree whatev-
er. We saw, what is now manifest in the
country, that the people of color and the
white race could not possibly live together on
terms OF equality. We did not stop to inquire
whether this state of things was right or wrong
We took the fact Of impossibility, for these two
races TO live together in equal social conditions
and proceed to operate upon that fact. l
know there are many respectable men in the
country who contend that this is all prejudice,
and should be expelled from the bosoms of
men; and that we should recognize all as mem
beTs of the same race, Untitled to the same
privileges and immunities with ourselves: This
principle in their view, may be right But
we went on to the fact that the two races could
not live together, and on this foundation we
proposed;in view Of their religious, moral and
political degradation, that they should be re-
moved by their own consent from the United
States to country of institutions and privileg-
es which it would be impossible for them ever
to enjoy in this country. i repeat, that we
did not attempt in the least TO unsette the title
to slaves. We hoped to demonstrate the prac-
ticability of Colonization; in order that those
who had the control of slaves might avail them
selves Of the policy or not, according to their
views or wishes. Our object was nothing far
Their than to demonstrate before the world the
practicability Of establishing Colony of free
blacks in Africa
Well, as 1t has been Just started, throughout
the whole progress of our Society from its orr
gin, 1t has been surrounded by difficulties, and
beset by enemies in front and in rear; and on
both fanks.-[Cheers The Abolitionists
have assailed it, as well as those of the opposite
extreme. Both have united in assailing it, but
on what grounds, cannot vet well understand
1t is no more part ofthe object of the Society
to interfere with the progress of Abolition.
We contemplated simply the improvement OF
the condition of the blacks, and so, when the
object of the Abolitionist should be obtained.
in the emancipation Of the blacks, it would be-
come the object and employment of the socie-
ty to colonize them, and thus cooperating to-
gether, vast aenefit might accrue to the hui
man race, which might consist with the high
est pmpose Of abolition. But why should they
CONTINUE TO attack us? repeat, we do not
interfere with them, utopain and impracticable
as we suppose their project to be. Their at
tempt Is TO enancipate without moments de-
lay, the whole G. he black race in the United
States. Very well; to accomplish this very OBJ
lectln another way, Colonization vas begun.
We say to them, gentlemen, we cannot hope
TO accomplish your object, and because of the
inability OF the black race to come upon an e.
quality in social and political condition with
the whites, we will carry them where they
where they can better enjoy the immunities OF
freedom.
But 1t has been said that this Society is in
capable of accomplishing 50 great an object;
and l admit that its founders have not suppo-
sed that without the aid of the Government,
State or National, they could found in Africa a
very large colony composed wholly of free
persons OF color. But their purpose has been
TO show the practicability of the obiect.-the
power OF Colonization, in competent hands, to
carry out the work in all its great results-to
demonstrate this power throughout the whole
extent OF the Continent. If then those who
have taken the lead have been able to demon
strate the practicability of Colonization, who
can doubt the competency of Government to
transports to the shores of Africa all persons
of color who may be emancipatcd either by
the authority OF the States, or the disposition
of individuals? That demonstration has been
made.
But it has been urged particularly bv one
class of our opponents, to which we have re-
terred, that this is the country of the black
man, and therefore he should not be sent 10
Africa, which is not his country. In some
sense those blacks who have been born mon
the soil, may claim this for their country. and
so could the Israelites claim Egypt for their
country, because during a long period of fine
they were captives in Egypt. So could all the
lsraehtes born in the wilderness during their
progress from Egypt to the Promised Land.
claim the wilderness for their country: but
still In contemplating the beam which Guided
the progress Of that most remarkable of all the
families of man, neither Egypt nor the wilder
ness, but Canaan was their home, and IN that
home they were finally lead, Who then. can
doubt, in solitary instance, that Africa is the
home of the blacks, though they may have had
a casual birth upon this continent? There
they were placed, and remained originally I'M
I'll captured by the hands OF lawless ioience.
and there they can remain happily in the fair
est portion Of their original possession: and
does it not seem dispensation of an al -wise
providence; which has brought them to this
country, that they may be carried bach to full
fiji the holy purposes of Him whose ways are
inscrutable, but always Just But this sepera-
ton of the free people of color, with their own
consent from the country to which thew happen
- Ill