Daily American telegraph., 1852-02-17
Colonization, slavery, sympathy, sc.

Colonization, Slavery, sympathy, 40.
We have not seen the pamphlet recently issued
by James G. Birney, esq, on the condition OF the
negro race in this country but we learn from
contemporary that it is in the form of an Ad-
dress to the Colored People," and argues that
the whole drift of popular sentiment, legislation,
and adjudication in this country is adverse to the
free blacks that it is rendering their residence
among us more and more intolerable and degrad-
ing that they must and should emigrate; that
Canada is too cold fer them, and will never treat
them as other than an inferior race; that in the
British West Indies they will also be degraded
caste and that Liberia offers the best prospect
open to them,
1t is perhaps known to most of our readers,
that Mr.. Birney was a few years since the
leader Of the Liberty party" in this country,
and that that party was party of direct eman-
cipationists. Experience has therefore been to
him safe and profitable instructor; and he is
now prepared to act with his countrymen in be-
half Of just and humane cause, which involves in
its success benefits to many and injury to none.
The social and political prescription of the ne
gro in the non-savehoding States of this Union
merits the close attention of the world as it re-
veas either the nsincerity their crusade against
slavery or, schich as more probable, their own in
voluntary prejudice and aversion to holding in
tercourse with negroes on terms Of any kind of
equality. The history of our free States is a
history of injustice to the negro race, if the
avowed sentiments of the people of these States
be taken rs standard by which to judge Of their
own actions.
We are not here speaking of slavery, but of
the condition of the negro in the most favored
situations, in which he has been placed in our
country. That exceptions exist to the general
rule, is certainly true. We have seen families of
ing in the Northern States; but in almost every
such instance the predominance of white blood
was with them matter Of pride, and afforded a
proof affirmative of the general rule assumed.
In Africa the depressing causes are not pres
emit; and the negroes we send thither have as
good opportunities as were possessed by the
greater portion of the people who came to this
country to take up their habitations in its ear
ler days. Thus far they have done well, and
exhibited capabilities which the people of neither
section of this country have been willing to ac-
cord to them. The responsibilities resting upon
them have inspired them with confidence: gov
ernor was raised up among them, who has proved
worthy his high position and everything has
tended auspiciously. An enterprise thus fortu-
nate should be extended, for the benefit of the
people of color amongst us, for our own benefit,
and for the benefit of the people of Africa.
The civilized world, or such portions of it as
have not witnessed slavery, are united in the de-
nunciation of it; and the doctrine of INTER
vENTIoN" has, in this respect, very extensively
prevailed. Are our fellow-men in earnest about
this matter? Do they really wish to annihilate
slavery? The free States practically assert that
this only be done by the removal of the Afri-
can from amongst us. The slave States very
generally concur in this. The sympathizing
world without has, not tested the matter, but in |
this, in most questions Of public policy will no
doubt be guided by such lights of experience as
are reflected upon the subject; and all agree that
the civilization of Africa by the civilized descend
ants of Africans is an object worthy the most
earnest efforts If so, should we not all heartily
unite in grand scheme of African colonization
and improvement? We think so.
But in this as in all other matters affecting
the interests of our country, we do not require
external aid. All we wish is that the sympathy
of all people beyond our own limits, with respect
to the slaves within those limits, may be elo-
quently expressed in such acts of kindness and
encouragement to the republic of Liberia as may |
encourage the emigration from our shores. Take |
of our most improved people; let them go
thither in thousands and tens of thousands; and |
as fast as they can be established securely in |
their future homes, so fast will others be here |
prepared to follow them. But of this be sure, |
that no appeals in behalf of the slaves in this re-
public will ever be recognised as honest or sin |
cere that proceed from people whose sympathy
and material aid' are not given to the new and
helpless colonies of Africa.
We do no wrong to our fellow-men we do not
impugn their motives unjustly; we are willing to
credit professed phianthropists with the posses
sion of the true spirit Of philanthropy; but we
will not acknowledge the existence of this spirit
where the corresponding actions are not evinced.
Other motives are here suggested: jealousy II.
valry, envy and hatred are among these, and
should ever be rebuked and punished when de-
tected
Navigation to Richmond.
If the estimates be reliable which call for only
S115, 900 to remove the bars in James river,