Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-06-25

shall, have recorded their high appreciation of il
desigu and operations. We doubt if there is an,
other measure OF State policy which can plead .rci
| brilliant constellation of authorities.
Our attention, too, has been attracted by the aeg
ed fact, that all the leading religious denominations
the State have in their ANIMAL conventions with una
nimous voices, stamped this scheme with their sppro
baon ss among the most useful OF Christian mssionp
These expressions Of opinion by general assemblies
by many potcians of al! parties, and by rnsuy
Christians of al sects, is certainly no mean exponen
OF public sentiment. 1t wcald be a suggestive con
trsst to array in parallel columns the names for anc
against this measure. In ce column, in addition &c
those already enumerated, We should have the name;
of oil tbs Presidents Of The United States from Jefer
son to Buchanan, except Join Quincy adams anc
Martin Van Bnren, who would fgure in company
with Garrison and Greeley Sumner and Wilson. Fred
Douglas and Abby Kelly, &c. Garrison has writer
book, in which he maintains the following PROPOSE
tons viz:
"The Colonization Society "a the friend of the
Shareholder and the apoogist of slavery IL is The
enemy of immediate emancipation; it frsduces the
free coored people, and would exile them from their
native land; il rivefs the chains Of the slave, and
quiets the conscience of the STAKEHOLDER. Some one
has sent us tract issued by the anti Slavery Society
10 which it ia objected TO the Colonization Society
that had lite origin i, Virginia that its first President
was George Washington, Of Virginia, whe sold fifty
OF his slaves in New Orleans; that its second Presi.
dent, Ch Carroll, bequeath-d 1000 slaves at his
death; that another Of its Presidents II. Clay was
stakeholder and said that he considered that proper.
ty ss inviolabe any other that II. A. Wise said
ihe original principle Of the Society was friendship
10 the siavehoder; that its managers say I'VE are
strsiDed by association from making emancipation
an object that colonization retards emancipation
and enhances the value Of saves; and, finally. that
the enemies of slavery We're the enemies vi cooniZs
tion.'"
In the face OF facts like these, it seems TO to be
unjust and unkind to charge coonizationists with
any sympathy for abotoniss. The only ground for
such suspiciop, is found ip the admitted fact, that
in some OF the earlier reports and speeches, emanci
patton set forth Of the ultimate efforts OF
the society. But tLis was mere expression Of an
opinion which wac then common sentiment, and il
is not fair TO judge past generation by the standard
of the present. The application OF such q teat would
abolitionze some OF the foremost champions of the
South. BIT there ia one fact which speaks volume.
upon this subject We observe that in the very heat
of the abolition debate iu the General Assembly OF
1892, when go many wise men were swept from
their noorngs, the Colonization Society met in the
Capitol at Richmond and passed unanimously the
following resolution Resolved, that We deem Il our
duty at this time to renew our pledges 10 adhere 10
that original feature of constitution which con-
fues it's operations to the removal of the free people
Of color only, with their own consent"
We must distinguish between private opinions and
authorized expostions Of principles. No party or
society could survve such test But all doubt upon
this pon: is disspsted by the following reaolution
passed, on motion of the Rev. Mr.. Slaughter OF Vir
ginia by the American Colonization Society at il.
anniversary in Washington In January, 1855:
"Whereas, The exclusive design of the Coloniza
ton Society declared in its Constitution s 10 re
the free colored people and, whereas, in carrying
;s principle il has been ordered that all eugges
ons and schemes of emancipation shall be excluded
from the documents Of this society; and, whereas II Is
necessary 10 the copsummstlOn OF this policy, thai
the same principle should be applied to The couduc
Of our public meetings; therefore,
"Resolved, That Tho Executive Committee should
have stric regard 10 this principle, in all arrange
ments for our annual mestinG. y
Whenever any other body composed OF delegates
from all the States can be induced 10 pass such con
servative resolutions, it will be time enough TO cs,
the first stone al ,be Colonization Society.
Whatever may b- the meEi;- Of THE scheme, it i:
due to The reputation q the Ilustrious men wh'
founded it, and 10 that ls'ge body OF slave holders
who have baen and are lie officers, patrons snc
friends, that they should be acquitted OF all dIsoyal
ty to our institutions. II would be hard to find hilEt
number OF Vrginans who could furnsh more as;Ir
factory testimonials Of attachment TO, and interest u
the community. IL is our purpose TO return 10 th
subject and discus. il fully nothing ex,enuaing apt
setting down nought 10 malice