Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-01-16
AxS1vKR,.RY or rHs AMERICAN COLONIZATION

ASNIvERsARY OF THE AMERICAN CoLoSIz ALTON
SOCIETY The thirty-fourth anniversary meeting
OF the American Colonization Society was held at
the Smithsonian last night. The Society was
somewhat disappointed with theif audience, as
they had hoped to enlist the services of represent
atves by exciting their interest in the matter, but
the disagreeable state Of the streets and weather
prevented a very large turnout.
At half past seven the President, Mr.. J. III. B
Iatrobe, called the meeting to order, and Rev
DR. Parker, late missionary to China, offered an
The President then, in an eloquent address, said
they had met to commemorate the thirty fourth
anniversary Of their societya society that had Its
origin on the first of December, 1915, the early
DAYS OF this Republic The country had lust
emerged from war with Great Britain. Victories
upon the SEA and upon the land had Characterized
mon danger which had united ali men Monroe
had Just been elected Pr sident After his In.
augursnon we prospered In the quiet Of peace-a
peace better appreciated after long struggle-and
we found ourselves a proud, happy, and powerful
nation. IL wes at this time that this people at
oacted the philanthropy Of scholars and states
men. Clay, Randolph, Madison, Mercer, and
hey-orator, statesman, philanthropist, scholar,
lawyer, and pOet;-these were the men who Der
1ected the plan Of the home Of our cclored peo-
pie OF this continent upon another shore. In all
progress Of arts and sciences in all the ualed
growth Of this glorious nation. there was nothing
more worthy or man than this great undertaking.
History has not vet spoken Of colonization but
suffer her founders to be fore often.
In their society all political discussions had been
avoided Occupying as they do position be-
tween the North and the South, they had invaria-
bly, omitted everything that would lead to sec
uOnal strife. Nor would they depart from IL in
referring to the hallowed memories Of their cause
He said, when we think OF eur position one
wear ago. Of the proud and glorious future of this
nation when last we met, and that In another
year there may be no America, we may be per-
united to look back through tears to that day
A vOice NJ
be permitted TO recall the "reminiscences of the
past, IL iii only to comparethem with the present
and as they are common to the people, the hearts
II The people may swell at the thought of them
Come what may, the importance Of colonization
TO free people of color can not oeimpaired Should
our glorious confederacy be split In fragments
should this great Republic be divided and subdi-
vided into thrty-three republics and free and in
dependent cities spring up around us, COLOMBIA
tion will not be impaired. Should the example
Of Arkansas, of Virginia, or Maryland, be fol-
lowed in the free States then Liberia will be what
u was intended to be, place of refuge for the
feelng free man of color. Africa stretches out
ne, hands for help. Nations rise and fall, and
colonization shall have its turn. While they
cherish the memories of united people, from
which colonization sprang, we must also aid our
yeung sister republic. If we are surprised at the
growth Of our own nation, how much may we ex-
Feet Of Liberia, if she has the aid of expert
tnce and our strong arm? The full extent Of her
growth, the full development of her being, may
be enjoyed by her people when the nation from
which she sprang is no more.
The secretary, Rev. r. X. Curly, then read ex-
tracts from his annual report, but they are very
lengthy. and much of II now known among the
people, we will not give very comprehensive
synopsis.
The Secretary read notices of distinguished men
formerly connected with the Society, prominent
among whom was the name of our late fellow
townsman, Mr.. Gales. Letters Were also read
from Dr. Breckenridge, of Ky, and others inter-
ested in the cause. The ship Stevens owned by
the Society, has carried several hundred to Libe-
ria, and in the last year about 4, 900 recaptured
Africans have been sent there. The report that
had been circulated here about those sent over by
the Echo having been sold into slavery on the
African coast was false, az they now in Ii
IBERIA alive and well. The statistics Of popu1a-
ton had not been collected, the officers OF the
colony so busy that they have not the time to
engage in the work. Cotton and coffee are raised
in large quantities some OF which In used in this
country. fund of $50, 600 is established for a
college, but owing to unavoidable difficulties It
had not yet been carried into effective operation
Much valuable information was given In the
report-which our limited space will not admit
of publishing clearly proving the success of the
movement
After the report, Rev. DR.. Sunderland addressed
the Society in a few brief but eloquent remarks
his illusions to the brig ht future Of Liberia and
rthe possible downfall Of our own nation, his re-
larks were particularly affecting, and drew tears
from the eyes Of many.
" At the close Of Mr. Sunderlands remarks, the
Society was dismissed with the Benediction by
"a Rev. Mr. Gurley.