Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1856-09-11

which ever mantle upon your cheek at tn
tale of sorrow,-to exert your influence owe
the more rugged nature and disposition G
man, In behalf of forlorn and sufferin
people. Many of the names of your Sc
already adorn the list of membership G
this society, and would, that there wer
many more. Here we may behold one @
the noblest and admiring attributes Of la
ture; not more grand and glorious is tn
blue payillioned. arch that eBcircles tn
unlverse-not more beautiful and sublim,
is the rainbow in the east, where ius.;c,
and mercy meet, than the glorious galax,
of benevolence and charity in unison witt
the charms offemale virtue. But TO return
When We look abroad throughout this wild,
extending republic and rejecting upon it:
future destiny, will not public policy alon,
impel us onward to the full attainment G.
the great object for which We have thus
embodied ourselves and for which We have
this day assembled. Ny Friends and Eel
low Citizens, Iappeal to the sincerity O
your hearts and to your experience TO beal
me out; l viii venture to affirm, that there
is not an American, when in his calm and
retired moments, who has reflected upon
the blessings and privileges which this na-
| ton affords, but what the sui blect of slavery,
like an eoI genius, has presented itself to
his view. Docs not the mind of a freeman
sicken at the sight? Does he not turn
from the thought as from pool impreg-
mated with deadly mclaira? Few there
must be indeed, who can look upon this
great and accumulating evil without regret.
If may indulge in the sentiment, it be-
comes us to Judge of the future, by the past
and by the present; for it is fixed and
unrefutable position, that similar cases Will
produce similar effects, while ever the na-
ture of man remains unchanged. As to
what has ever been the effects of vile op-
pressions, at your perusal, the history of
nations will unfold a horrid scene. Who
then can look upon this fast accrmulating
evil without rejecting upon the future des-
tiny ofthis Republic? In the name of
those immunities which yon enjoy. ap-
peal to your sober jud gements, if it becomes
US as men, as freemen, as Americans, as
the decendents of generation, who achiev-
ed more for the liberties of man, than all
the generations that have gone before them,
to sit with folded arms whilst there are up
wards of two millions of a degraded popu-
lation in our very midsi; in state of ab-
ject slavery, groaning under the iron hand
of oppression, and who are all possessed of
vigorous and robust constitutions, Injured
to toll, to hardship and fatigue, and whose
annual increase Of population is almost as
two to one, Of equal numbers of the white
population. When We consider the vast
extent of this population and the astonish-
ing rapidity of its increase, together with
the great physical force they may have in
their power to command, does itnot afford
sufficient evidence 10 the discerning mind,
to convince us of the course Of policy which
We ought to pursue, or at least that some
course of policy ought to be persued, which
would have direct tendency to lesson the
growing evil and TO pave the way for its
final extinguishments Is it said that they
are careless and Indifferent as to their con-
dition. and ignorant of their strength, and
consequently, there is no apprehensive dam
ger! True it is, that they are ignorant of
their physical strength, (and that the trtie
policy of their holders, is, to keep them so,)
and although they may appear careless and
Indifferent as to their condition as people,
yet they are human beings and The princi-
pie of liberty still turks within their bosoms.
Then let me ask you if it is a presumable
case, that this people who are daily acquir
ing strength will always tacitly remain in
a state of involuntary servitudes No.
The very languageof naturei itself, responds
in the negative. If it is not an impossible
case, it is highly an improbable one; for it
is contrary to the genius, and to the very
nature and disposition of man; and if there
is nothing effected towards the mitigation
of thi; alarming evil, that period Of time
will arrive, when the vast extent of their
population will rend this vail of ignorance,
and their physical strength, will to them,
become as manifest as the noon day. Ex-
lsperated by long series of cruelty and
oppression, then will this principle ofliberty,
oined with the ungovernable and infuriated
passions, appear clothed in dark and terrific
louds Of indignation, flaming with ven
yeance, and awful indeed must be its de-
consequences ere the storm sub
sides.
The founding of a colony of free blacks
lpon the coast of Africa, is, in the opinion
If this society, perhaps the best course of
,olicy that could have been pursued in re-
alton to this people and to the future des
inv of this nation. 1t will afford an out
ct for the slave. whenever his master may
zee proper to emancipate him, OF whenever
he exigencies ofa higher nature may deem
1. Well we know that even with their
freedom, they are in state of political deg
-adation, and so must remain whilst in this
country. There is nothing to stimulate
hem, it is in vain 10 expect them ever TO
-kise to an equality with the whites; and
f they are ever to be Kissed from this pit of
human misery, it must br by plading them
II the situotion in which they were originally
,laced by the God of nature and their inn
,ortance in society Will be readily recogniz-
ID. If there is any other, and better prop
,sition than the one adopted by this socie-
V for the ameEoration of the condition of
his people, this society would be thankful
o receive it. would here ask, if you are
wiling TO entail this curse of the nation up
IN descendants without making one effort
owards its removal? If not, then as you
egard the honor and glory of your country
as you regard the feelings of humanity
as you regard the sacred principles Of
iberty-as You regard your children-as