Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-01-17
gotal ann 4frsOnal.

American Colonization society.-There was
at Trinity Church, last night in celebration Of the
thirty-eighth anniversary of this society.
Several eloquent speeches were delivered by
distinguished and devoted friends Of the cause
Governor H. w. Dutton, Of Connecticut; Rev, DR.
Haight, of New York, and Commander Foote. Of
the United States navy. Altogether the services
were of a highly interesting character.
The annual report was read by the secretary
and from il we make the following abstract
aAt the close of the year, which has been re-
markabe in its general history is our privilege
10 refer 10 the gracious providences which have
surrounded our enterprise, and 10 present our
need of praise To the Ruler of the Universe for his
gracious care aud continued blessing. Many cities
and districts in our widely extended country have
felt the desolating touch of the 'pestilence which
walketh ia darkness and the destruction which
wasteth al noon-day.' Great excitements have
agitated the public mind and sent the unnerving
streams Of their influence through all the ramifi-
cations of society. Financial embarrassment and
commercial disasters have touched with appalling
power many Of the great enterprises OF business
and sent alarm and anxiety through the wide cir
Gle Of society. We in common with others have
felt the shock and been embarrassed by the pre-
vailing depression and the impending prospect
that the end was not yet. But in no individual in
stance, in no signal manner, has our enterprise
been singled out as one destined 10 suffer, or
marked by special dsfavor. On the contrary, the
descent OF blessings upon has heen gentle and
refreshing as the dews of heaven, and the tokens
OF favor from on high have been cheering 70 the
heart and ever bcckoning us onward"
BY reference TO the long list Of distinguished
vice presidents and life directors of this society,
it will be perceived that only two names have
been removed during the year-Elliot Cresson,
esq, Of Philadelphia, Penney vania, and the Rev
Leonard Woods, D. D., of Andover, Massachu-
sets.
All the available means have been exhausted
The entire amount of the receipts is SG5,a35 30
This falls short OF that received the previous year
by Sl6,96i 80. In consequences OF this, the So
ciety has been obliged to "hold back for want OF
means, aud has been compelled 10 say to persons
applying for passage 10 Liberia, you must wait;
we cannot accommodate you now, our means are
exhausted
Notwithstanding this, the society is not dis.
Outraged, and. the report says, The year has
closed upon us with brighter showing than We
could have anticipft ted
II is also worthy Of remark that our contrlbu-
tions come from no particular section OF Inc
country, from no one sect 10 religion or party IN
politics. There is sense in which colonization
may be considered an orphan. Almost every
other benevolent society has some denomination
OF christians who feel bound to support II, and 10
which il can appeal with full confidence OF pa
rental love, But colonization a. scheme OF DO
nevoence, originated In the broades' philanthropy,
and appeals TO the most enlarged and unselhsh
principles for support. II belongs 10 no sect, TO
no party, which Is bound TO support II Of all haz
ards and any sacrifices
The total amorat received from iegacies len 10
he society the past year. Is SO ,s64l6 But OF thls
amount the society has had the use OF only S5,29o
II; the balance having been paid TO relieve the
requests from membranes Imposed by the les
tators. This small amount of legacies WILL in
part, account for the difference between the gen.
eral receipts this and the preceding year.
The number of expeditions 10 Liberia was hve
with total of FIVE hundred and fi.tythree passen-
gers. OF these, one hundred and sixiy-one were
born free, three hundred and sixty were emanci
paied, and twenty mine purchased themselves
Ever since the formation of this society and
foundation Of Liberia, the work has gone on IN
this same quiet and limited manner There bar
been nothing grand or imposing, such as ordlna-
rily attends upon nations movements. Inc
resources have been small, the progress has been
slow. But something has been accomplished.
which promises further results, and leads on 10
Interior ends. The foundations OIL Tree ana
happy nation have been laid; all the appliances Oh
education and religion have been put IN MOTION
SO that Liberia holds out 10 the colored man
brighter prospects than are visible IN any other
quarter of the globe. substantial good IS tnere
re done 10 every person who IL removed 10 ~"
land and placed in circumstances where re 10
relieved from the civil and social disadvantage
which overhang him in this country! FOR himself
alone, and as an isolated individual, this good Is
Unreasonable. But this is not all. he there
becomes an integral part Of great community.
He sheds around him an influence and puts Iorln
an agency tending TO spread over the whole west
ern coast of Africa and difuse among the numer-
tribes of the interior all the arts and comforts
of civilized life"
The report contains favorable accounts of the
condition OF the Liberan Republic in all its rela-
tons, and concludes as follows:
In closing this report, we feel called upon 10
make special appeal to the several State socie-
ties and the friends and patrons Of our enter
prize for renewed exertions TO give increased i'm.
pulse TO the cause during the present year. We
commence the year under the pressure OF a too
heavy debt Extensive improvements must be
made in Liberia Numerous applications have
already been made for passage in our regular
spring expedition which will be utterly impossi-
for 10 accommodate, without greatly enlarged
resources are placed at our command
The City Councils and judiciary Reform.
On Monday night, Joseph H. Bradley, esq, the
Corporation attorney, transmitted to the Coun-
ellis his answer TO their resolution calling for his
opinion the bill TO reorganize the courts of the
District Of Columbia, which is now pending in the
Senate.
After pointing out what, in his view, are fatal
defects, he says the bill will not satisfy the peo-
pie. We need new organization and a new fab
rick The only scheme that he can suggest which
will be conducive TO the public interests is to re-
ject the whole bill, and pass for the prepare
ton OF code. "All experience heretofore he
SAYS, /" shows the futity Of reliance on Congress
for this, oppressed is with the Legislation and