The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-03-06
mr.. WetstSr's Views VI Colonization And the
Colony Of Liberia.

We have seen little nVtice taken oil some
very important declarations made by Mr. WE.
srsR, in New York, in relation to extending
Z" the fostering care of government" to colonlzA-
ton enterprise, and the recognition OF the gov
ernment of Liberia The expression OF these
opinions is certainly very frank, and shows lhe
South precisely what it has to expect rom MI
WEBSTER on these points. The citation OF lhe
examples of CLARKsoN and "hBERfoNoh' Is
exceedingly opposite, and there can be 10 dii'
Guilty in tracing the analogy.
| Mr.. WEBSTER however, should not nave gone
abroad for illustrations Of the policy of"Prlvate
and individual effort setting springs in motion,
which are finally to move the springs Of govern
ment" The American Aboltionists afford even
more striking illustrations of this policy, and its
encroaching tendencies.
The following condensed statement OF the
views of Mr.. WEBSTER, will show what ne de-
signs and desires:
Mr.. Webster was very handsomely enter
tanned at the residence of Arson u. Phelps Jr.'
esq.,, corner of l54th street and Union square. "a
large party of gentlemen were present. many OF
whom were clergymen, and nearly all ofSwhom
were friends of colonization.
In the course of the evening, Mr. Webster
was invited by DIR. Spring, in behalf OF the
company, to express his views upon the subject
of colonization. Whatever diversified views
theie might be upon the subject OF slavery, ne
presumed all present were in favor OF the colony
which had been established in Liberia.
fha mid
intellectual body of men in the city, and very
briefly and with his usual simplicity of manner,
spoke of the cause of colonization. All pres
ent were most attentive listeners. He remarked,
IN substance, that it now was about twenty
wears since his attention had been called to the
subject of colonizing the colored people of this
country in Africa At the time he was made
vice. president Of one OF the societies, Bushrod
Washington was its PRESIDENT and after him Mr..
jaw. The subject excited very general interest,
and since the topic, to which al'usion had been
made. Slavery had become more considered,
the interest in the colony of Liberia had become
more and more rife The colonization enter
prise. like most benevolent enterprises, began
with individuals Clarkson and Wilberforce
Iabored long before they could enlist the sym
pathies and influences of the government in its
behalf. Such was true here. Pirate and indi-
uidual effort set these individual springs in mo
ton, aohich are finally TO more the machinery of
government
"For my part" said Mr. Webster, g knov
of no reason ,ohy This enterprise should not re-
ceiue The fostering care of The government. Colo
nization was no longer an experiment. Its sue
cess is now beyond dispute. Just before the
late Rufus King left lis seat in the United
States Senate, he proposed that the proceeds of
the sales of the public lands should be devoted
to the colonization of the free colored people,
and must say that | have heard of no good
reason, and known of no good reason, why this
would not be measure of expedieLcy and pro-
prety.
On a recent occasion, Ohc anniversary meet
ing at Washington [ took occasion to express
nv views on this point The colony of Liberia
has certainly given proofs Of the power Of self
government. The community there appears TO
be one of much intelligence. Their affairs seem
to be conducted with much prudence and saga
CITY, and do no see why we should not recog
niZe them as u government, as we have recOg.
nized countries possessing people inferior in
intelligence The government of the Sandwich
Islands take to be less intelligent than that o
Liberia. They have, it is true, nominal king
| who is native, but four or five of the persons
composing the government, are foreigners
Some of these persons have come from oui
own country; some of them were selected from
the missionaries some came from the North
some from this section, and some from the South
! We deem it no disparagement to hold inter
course with this people, and Mr.. Webster saw
no good reason why the colony of Liberia NIGH
not be as much favored"