Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1852-03-13
Colonization.

Extracts from Circular Of Gerri. Smith,
Esq, to Governor Hunt fNew York.
But for its great length, we should be glad
to give the whole of this eloquent able and
faithful rebuke Of American prejudice:
PETERBoRo, Feb. Goth, 1859.
GovERNoR IIuNT,-Dsdr Sir,-l see, in
the newspapers that some, u trust not Inuny,)
of the members of the legislature are dispos-
ed TO respond to your call for help TO the
American Colonization Society. Just hero
let me say, aud take pleasure in saying it,
that do not number you with the ,iespiseIs
and haters of the colored people. In my
pleasant intercourse with you, you have given
me proofs, substantial proofs, unknown to
the public, Of your benevolent interest in that
oppressed people.
Scarcely had the Anti Slavery Society pro-
claimed the doctrine of immediate and uni
| versal emancipation, ere the Colonization
Society made open war upon the doctrine
aud opposed all emancipation, unless ac-
counpanied by expa,riation. Its members
then dropped off rupidly--so rupidly, that ia
the history, which Judge Jay soon after
wards wrote of the Colonization Society, no
mentions myself as the only immediate
shame ofmy head aud the shame ofmy heart,
did not quit the Society, until the year
1895.
But we will pass on TO look at the Coloni-
zation Society, MS il now is. There is not
one person in all its membership, who is n
confessed nbolitionist--not one, who is will
ing 10 bear the reproach of that name. IL
says not word against the socinl, or politi-
cul, or ecclesiastical wrongs of the colored
man not a word against the crime of refu-
sing 10 eat or ride with him; not word
against his exclusion from the ballot-box;
not word against the erection ofthe negro
pew. 1t says not word against the "Fugi-
tive slave statute"-a statute, which is Of all
statutes Sntan's masterpiece. Indeed, the
warmest defenders Of this statute are to 10
found among its members. II sees men md
women chased down under this statute, and
plunged into the pit Of slavery, and il is ut
terly careless aud contemptuous of their hor-
rid fate. II sees one Stnte after another inn
posing, or attempting to impose, discrimina-
| ting aud onerous taxes on it's already crushed
and helpless free colored people; ono free
State after another excluding, or attempting
TO exclude, this prosecuted people from its
| borders; aud it never demonstrates against
this devilism. Nay, this devism is its own
work; prompted by the spirit, which il bo-
gets aud nourishes; aud performed by none
more eagerly than by its members and advo-
Gates. The Colonization Society apologies
for slavery, and Denies that il is sinful. IL
is, in word, as infdel aud inhuman, as the
current religion-that conventional and spu-
rious religion, which looks upon the battered
aud bleeding slave, and then passes by ON the
other side; that conventional and spurious
religion, which is divorced from humanity,
and which forgets, ny, and devours the poor
aud the small, in order to keep on better
terms with the rich aud the great. Aud who
are the officers of this Society? Many Of
them nre shareholders; and the President IL
Henry Clay himself, that notorious buyer and
seller of men, women, and children, who
has done immens urably more than any other
person to uphold and extend slavery. Aud
who is the Colonization Society Agent, that
has been in Albany, the present Winter, for
the purpose of gaining favor with the Legis-
lature for your unhappy recommendations?
Il is the same man, who argued, IN his Colo
nizntion Newspaper, year or two ago, that
il is dishonorabie and dishonest for n slave TO
run away from his master. As IL this Rev
erend hypocrite would not, were he to be-
! come slave, run away from his mnster, IL
he could. Ay, aud as if he would not make
mince-ment OF his pursurers, rather than suf-
fer himself to be carried back by them.
Such is the American Colonization Socie-
y And is such Society fit TO be entrusted
with the interests and disposal Of our poor
hunted, tormented, "killed.all-the-day-lon
colored brethren? IL il is, then nre wolves
, the fit guardians OF lambs. Nevertheless
f your Message holds up this Society as the
J friend, the best friend, indeed the only effes.
. tual friend, of the colored people! Said
/. not truly, then, that you have been deceived
n by il? Sorry, however, as l am for this de
!. cepton. l, nevertheless, am not asionished ny
l. il. know we'll the Janus-face Of that DO