Eastern times., 1855-10-18
For the Eastern Times.
African Colonization.

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African Colonization.
Mr.. EDiroR Your readers, many of them
at least, we believe, have been gratifed in
times past, to find in your columns words
commendatory of the cause of African Colo
nization.
While that cause has been gaining in
strength and active encouragement in every
part of the Union, and the young republic of
Liberia is rising in domestic vigor and politi-
cal order, and, at the same time receiving the
acknowledgment of its political Independence
and importance by some of the principal gov
ernments of Europe, we feel confident that the
people of Maine have lost none of their inter-
est, and will exult in a movement which is
Just now taking effect amongst US, and which,
if carried out successfully, as we presume it
must be, now that the ball is in motion, will
prove an honor 10 Maine.
The movement to which we allude, as must
be already known to some of your readers, is
under the auspices of the Maine Colonization
Society, which has appointed, by their consent,
a committee Of gentlemen located in remote
sections of our territory, who, with their agent,
Rev. R. R. Gurley, have taken in hand the
work Of raising by subscription, funds adequate
10 build a ship, which, when equipped, is TO
be presented, in the name OF the state of Maine,
to the American Colonization Society, for the
noble and philanthropic purpose of transport
ing to Liberia those colored persons in the
United States who are desirous of emigraiing
together with such implements of husbandry
and other means Of promoting their comfort
and progress in the arts Of life and, on re-
turning, 10 bring to our ports the rich products
of Africa.
That the provision of such means of trans
portation is exceedingly necessary 10 the
American Colonization Society is becoming
more and more seriously felt; and that the
state of Maine should take the lead and furnish
the first ship, will hardly be disputed by any
of her sister states. Other ships will be need
ed, and they we may trust, will not be back
ward to follow in the noble work of supplying
them.
! While, as an independent state, we claim 10
have no authority over the existing negro
slavery in the United States, and, to bear no
portion of the responsibility pertaining to 1t
we cannot, nor do we wish to escape the obi
cations of humanity, which urge us TO do what
we can to provide for an oppressed race the
means of civil and religious freedom, and for
the millions of benighted Africa the hope OF
rescue from paganism.
While such considerations should prompt
US to action, we are at the same time invited
to the work in question, By the most cheering
prospects of successful result.
In the history of every nation which has
heretofore struggled upwards from barbaric
state into civilization, we find much that seems
to our limited vision dark and mysterious, and
In the history of no people more so, perhaps
than they who now constitute the British En-
| pire /; and yet We may, indeed, We must con
clude that all those dark shades were permitiet
by wise Providence for important ends.
<huu Su1ii VIC iul d uOuub NY
millions of Africans who have been transport
ed in chains to America to endure the hard
ships of slavery have failed to experience The
care and paternal forecast of that same goot
Providence He who ''causeth the wrath o
man to praise Him and restraineth the remain
der," is, in His providence, already exhibit
ing 10 us, through the instrumentality of Airi
cas- great injuries and suffering, the brightes
/ prospect of her regeneration that any pagal
nation ever enjoyed. Shall we not, then, es
TEEN it privilege if we may be permitted t
contribute even spike, plank, or mast t.
aid in the construction and equipment of tn
ship which shall go forth from Maine as a to
ken of her earnestness to extend the bounds O
civil and religious liberty and thus of huma
happiness! A SUBSCRIBER.