Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1848-01-28

the nations battles Renewed applnusc.l All, re-,
peat it, all the great enterprises OF men nave s'''"
beginnings
Dur colony has been in operation for twenty-five
years We have nearly five thousand cllisrnn's scn'
ont from this country besides thousand OF 'wo.
not pretend 10 be precisely accurate ~ 'hcsc ca wy
tios-oi captured Africans, who have been sem 10 We
care, and placed under the auspices OF ilrra, .osr'
cr with some twenty thousand na'ivc Ar'ca',s no" III
Liberia who are seeking the support ana eoi .I
nance and benefits Of our cxrrtons IN co'oHa,io"
wen, 80 TAR as We have gone good Is done IL u "'
better that that -FOUR five thousand Airicas' se u
Africa by means Of the Colonization Socie'y, nave
greatly improved ,hcir condition j. i not 'ier Iol
ns. who remain here that they should be sent away
from our midst, owing to the impossbll!ty OF any nc
iual union, social and political, with US As lar as !,
has gone, good has been the result and every year o.
pfosrcss IN the increase OF the colony mas wnhfsse
the realization OF happy results. 1t may be- 'nd at
we have proceeded slOwly--that every Tree African
who wishes to change his condition. might he trans
ported to Africa. But it requires time to effect such an
Object Great movements in human affairs are not the
work Of n day. The nation to which have referred
a'rendy, remained captive in Egypt, during TWO ~
three centuries. For two three centuries the Afrl-
can race have been cnptivc IN the Uhteu S'"tcs--
When the government shall lend its nd-we 10 not
speak OF any unconstitutional or doubtful nid-Mnry-
land, in our ncigborhood, has set noble example
SHE nourisles her colony she suppliesi annually with
an appropriation, liberal and bcl,fccht-whcu The
States choose to interfere when those who have the
power, choose to interfere in aiding 'iils emigration
there can be- doubt that there VIII be great rinigrl.
on and increase in the population OF thus COLONY ana
yet, perhaps it is desirable that 1t should be too
rapid In that case there would be no pioneers to pre-
pare subsistence and shelter.
But. besides all these considerations, urging the sep
aration between the two Incompatible and iiicongru-
Gus which can never become one harmonious
and homogeneous people, there are others. In what
state OF this Union, there I've one have no recol-
ecIons oft; il is possible il may be the ease IN Mas
sachi-ets lin what State Of this Union does the
black man, however free he may be- or from whatever
Inc o ancestors he is descended, ENJOY equal political
rights No where. Social rights are out Of the qncs-
oni IN no State of the Union ~ no city, town OF
hamlet Is the black man regarded as standing upon
an equal social condition, with the white portion Of the
human race. In thsrespect the free States are equal
y chargcabe with the ri.or Of the law us the States
IN which slavery IL tolerated. Your laws have in
creased, in gor, against the black population OF the
country In some of the States emancipation itself is
prohibited. Why, fellow citizens, remarkable case
occurred to mys in respect 10 some slaves IN Alna-
ina. a respected aud reverend citizen Of that State
whom had never known in his life time. on his DEATH
bed three or four years ago. by his last will and tesla
n'ent, devised to me- in absolute right, some twenty
will us to the and Of the beqnest to me
was surprised at il when heard OF it but had some
reason to believe that the devise made to me in
consequence OF his confidence in and his desire tina,
they should bc sent To Liberia took measures accor-
dinghy to accomplish the object though the Colonization
Society and have been happy to hear since my arri-
val at this place that twenty three OF those poor cea.
lures thus devised to me-and the others will follow as
they can--lnve actually embarked at the port
OF New Orleans Tor the coast Of Africa, chceruly and
happily going to that home of their ancestors. Now
let me tell you that they could not have been freed in
Alabama, Tor its laws prompted by the unhappy ngita-
ton OF hspOrtion of the North, prohibit cmancpation
either by last will or testament. deed any other
means. They could not then have been cmancipated
IN Alabama. had to take them ms my slaves 10 New
Orleans, and there they remained my slaves until
they were beyond the jurisdiction of the United States
But for the Colonization Society, therefore, persons OF
that dcscription--and mention single case only for
Alnl
ed in consequence OF the unhappy agitation Of this
subject at the north and in the free states pass laws
Of that charcter--w have no means OF obtaining
freedom. And then You the great office OF Cclon
znton, allowing individuals well rs Statcs--f the
States should ever arrive at the conclusion that il tor
their advantage TO emancipate their slaves, CRAFTY
their wishes by transporting free people Of color to the
On the subject of slavery shall not touch more tna
have done. The Society throughout its whole exis.
tence Inns left ii to depend upon the laws which regulate
1t. The Society has never attempted 10 disturb il in
any respect, whatever, COMMENTING itself with combining
its operations wholly and exclusively to those who
free and who being tree willing, voluntarily of their
own accord, without constrani without coercion, to
be transporiedto the shores Of Africa.
Gentlemen Of the Society," you have placed me in a
position which really is both embarrassing and painful.
came here ms have already stated without solitary
note mud with very slight preparation 10 address you
on this OCCASION have thrown out these remarks,
loose and disloncd as they are, TO crafty wishes.
which seem to me to be irresistible, to hear upon
this subject have gone through most of the topics
almost all Of them, indeed, OF which intended to
treat. ! would now implore all parties. would be-
scech the .AboIi,ionisls | would Lcsccch those who
carry the doctrines on the subject OF slavery to the eX-
IRENE, would besccch all men to look calmly. dis
pa>ssionaciy at this great project which conends it.
sell to their friendly consideration. ! i"seecli them
discard prejudice il they have iInhibcd any against
us. ask them in the name Of that t'od whose gra-
cous smiles willingly believe have followed us since
the organization Of the society, or it would not have
so long maintained its existence ; ! bcsccch them to
look on il with dispassonatc eyes. Contemplate Tor
moment the existence ot this society Tor twenty-five
years, without power, without revenue, without any
other aid than that afforded voluntarily y the bcncvo-
lent, charitable and humane! II has carried IN war,
OF an aggressive character, but defensive Of
the emigrnnts committed to its care-it has made trea
tcs-it has transported to Africa some five or six
Thousand Africans of the United Statcs-it has bought
n large extent OF tcrritory-lt owns three hundred and
twenty miles of coast upon the African Shore every
port at which, except solitary spot the slave trade
has been suppressed. And here ! would beg leave Ia
erIicnt Of the United States, who have united TO-
gcilcr tor the purpose OF accomplishing the great oh
ect OF suppressing the African slavcradc would lend
u small portion OF their force which they employ III
their respective navics to seize vessels laden with
slaves and about transport them from Africa To this
contincn-ithcy would contribute small portion o
their to that object, would be the most effect
ua mode OF supprcssing tina, infamous traffic that could
IN my opinion be adopted. believe no instrument
in the hands ot government Tor the suppression oi that
trade would be 81 operative and efEctual as 10
the coast, and especially the western coast at Africa
with colonies, all Of which would be many senti.
nes urged fidelity by every principle Of their ma
turc--all the synpathics Of their hearts-oi love u
race, and every actuuting consideration
1t has been said, and truly said, that the unforu
nat. degradation Of the black in this country il
such that large portion OF them fill our Inils and tina
there is more immortality amongst them than any 9th
cr classes and that the slaves themselves would b.
benefited in many Instances, by the withdrawal o
tree persons OF color from their respective ncighber
hoods The aboltionsls have seized upon this. an,
said that colonization is nothing but scheme to rvei
as they choose il. the chains OF slavery
tightly. But is il not rights il not lair TO look at TN
objects of Colonization! Consider, first ot ALL III,
condition Of the tree person OF color himself II is i'm
possible that he attain here social and political
equality Here, then, the high and elevated oh
jccts OF Colonization connected WIN The moral IN
provencnl oil the emigrants, and the advancement u
christianity and the arts in Africa. Is il right To Sc
cct an isolated motive, and ascrbe all our efforts 4
that taucied object Is il right to codenn the who'll
becaus.. YOU disapprOve Of ot the motives whic
YOU attribute to us Take them oil togetl,er-on
and invisible Judge us by that Standard and not b
nuy scpnrate and distinct motive torn from the mas
nj ruons which actuate the friends Of Colon
cation. a.,
But should fail to express the feelings which AM
nnie me nj this moment, il should conclude wlthOu
conara,ulating you the great and eminent sacccs
which has attended your labors. A Republic ha
.prnn into existence under the auspices 81 thus socei
"a free constitutional republic, formed after the no'
OF our own cherished nstitu has sprung up ON III
shores of Airica-a republic founded by black men
nut into operation by black mcn-and although b,
of brief existence, yet holding out bright prospect
TO The future Whether, therefore, gentlemen, IN III
congratulations which beg leave TO tender you, u
fruits now apparent as the consequences IN some d,
gree oi the rIeTtions which you have made, or whclf
l. carl mi the NXhptlPT GOntru