Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1849-04-25
A p p K A L
Of VIM. W. Findlay. to the Cozored
People of Indiana.

DEAR FaIENDs:--The writer being colored
man. it may be supposed that he desires the we'll
being of his race, Tot Of part Of the colored
race but Of the whole race Of Africans, in this
land and in Africa. Nor do I consider myself
guilty Of affrctation when / say, that arde Mt
ly desire their elevation, and am willing to con-
tribute all can to that end. 1t has long beer
an inquiry with me, how can our race be elevat-
ed7 How can eolored men be made truly indepen-
dent? After much anxious and painful inquiry,
have concluded, that TO he truly Independent,
we must enjoy rights aud privileges as broaf and
rs liberal as those EN- Dyed by the white citizens
Of the United States. In other words have the
right of elecing our law makers, and our ma
gistrates; and all the offices OF State should be
accessible to our color; and not only so, but we
should be free to move in such circles OF society
may be entitled to by our moral worth,
character and Tents; and likewise free TO form
alliance with those classes Of society. These.
in my humble opinion, are the rights and Privi-
ieges ice must possess before can be inIepen-
DENT
But now let US inquire in candor, do We as a
people enjoy such independence! DO colored
men in the most liberal Of the northern States
enjoy such indepe ndeuce! You all know that
they do not-ihe sad reverse is the case. And
will the time soon come in the history OF Amer
lean society, when the coIored man will he per
united to ENJOY such endence-indrPen
dence, not only in civil things, h9' ;Giepen.ence
in all the more delicate matters of social equali-
]
further, am bold 10 confess that any thing short
Of the above described indepe ndence will not
satisfy me. should any thing short satisfy
the man Of an indepen lent spirit
! But such independence, we cannot obtain III
the United States therefore | will seek it out
side the United States. ,cW seek IL ,rhrre
knor Gun fnd 1t, and that is in the Republic o!
Liberia, which is The only christian Republic
where the coiorcd man can find n quiet and Sc
cure home. Nor do I act dishonorabIy in thus
escaping from civil and social oppression, for
am only doing what thousands OF the FIRST and
best settlers Of the United States did, and think
it an honor to follow their example, in seeking
liberty though like them, be compelled to seek
il in wilderness. And the object of this ap
peal is to invite you who love true indie pc nd
enre. and are willing to endure some toll TO OBJ
tain It, TO go with us to that land Of liberty
wher" we may Iikew aid in the elevation anG
enlightenment Of our whole race. rhich duty /.
more obigafory on as. than upon the white race
many Of whom are willing to sacrifice their live.
and property in the work of converting Africa
! Some Of you may blame us for not staying in
this land and contcndng for all the above rights
Of man. Our answer to all such complaints i:
this: believe that civil slavery in this LAND
will he abolished by Divine Providence without
the cooperation Of the free co!ored man; lie
requires not our aid in this work-He can an6
will in his way. sweep slavery from the civil
institutions of America. But honestly doub
whe Their it is the will or order Of Providence to
grant Tvs perfect social equality ui the irhHe rae.
ut this time. am disposed to strive or quar-
rel with them for this favor, but would follow
the example Of Abraham, who disliked the strife
that hrd sprung mp between him and Lot, and re
ligiously proposed separation as remedy for
the quarrel. and a means of perpetuating peace
so we should separate from the white race, tina
we may be free and they enjoy peace; for doubt
less, God has given this land TO them. Acting
from the above religious, and honorable views
we confidently expect that God will bless us il
our movements.
II is the design Of the writer and some Of hi,
friends. to go out to Liberia about the month o
October or November next and il is desirable Il
have as many cmirrants from Indiana car
muster. Liberia holds out many attractions fo
4 the man Of color, but the greatest is that Of lib
crty and indie pc ndence. Thousands have gone
from this land to that. and all who have been in
dustrious have done well, many of them be
Gcr. Come. let MS go and cast lot in " i'll
them aud be free likewise If any Of YOU hav,
been cherS!Iing the spirit Of indepe ndence, an.
long for such freedom the free Republic o
Liberia offers and il YOU desire passage TO tina
land; Just let wishes b.. known to the Agen
Of the American COLONIZATION Society in thi
state. Address Rev J. MITCHELL at Tndianap
oils, who will be pleased 10 book your name a
an cmigrant and procure for YOU passage out
and send YOU all the information that ma,
want. No time should be 81, act no,r, act 70
yourselves, your children ~ vonr race.
WN w FINDIAY