receiving from persons of very opposite character from themselves, should lead them to inquire whether they may not be mistaken. It certainly does not follow, that a system must be bad, because bad men support it; but it does follow, that when mobs and infidels espouse a particular object, it is because that object is recommended to them by other than religious considerations. Yet Colonizationists are fond of representing their Society as a religious institution; and the ministers of the Gospel are earnestly urged to preach annual sermons in its behalf. That multitudes of religious men belong to the society, is not denied, but the participation of such men in an object, does not necessarily render it a religious object: otherwise the slave trade was a Christian Commerce, because John Newton was a slave trader; and Free Masonry must be a holy fraternity, since it can boast the names of more good men, than were ever enrolled in the ranks of Colonization. But in what sense can the Society be termed a religious one? It is not professedly founded on any one principle of the Gospel of Christ. It exercises no one act of benevolence towards the free blacks in this country; and in transporting them to Africa, it is by its own confession removing nuisances. It takes no measures to Christianize Africa, but landing on its shores an ignorant and vicious population. It employs no missionary, it sends no Bible, and it cannot point to a single native, converted to the faith of Jesus, through its instrumentality. On the contrary, may we not, in reference to the facts disclosed in the preceding pages, affirm, without the imputation of bigotry or prejudice, that the general influence of the Society, is decidedly anti-christian. We have seen that it practically tends to the debasement and persecution of the free blacks; to the hardening of the consciences of the slaveholders, and to the indefinite continuance of slavery. The objects of the society, as stated in the declarations of its orators, are of such vast importance, and such_godlike benevolence, that it is no wonder good men have been so dazzled by the gorgeous visions presented to their imaginations, as to have omitted to scrutinize the machinery by which these visions are to be realized. No one surely needs an apology for having believed in Colonization, when WILBERFORCE could thus express himself: "You have gladdened my heart by convincing me, that sanguine as had been my hopes of the happy effects to be produced by your institution, all my anticipations are scanty and cold compared with the reality." Letter to Mr. Cresson. 15th Rep. p. 15. No one surely needs to blush at acknowledging that he has been deceived in the society, since WILBERFORCE placed his name at the head of a protest against it. The following extract from this protest will show how truly the Society is now estimated by British philanthropists. "Our objections to it, are briefly these: while we believe its pretexts to be delusive, we are convinced that its real effects are of the most dangerous nature. It takes its root from a cruel prejudice and alienation in the whites of America, against the colored people, slave or free. This being its source, the effects are what might be expectedthat it fosters and increases the spirit of caste, already so unhappily predominant-that it widens the breach between the two races-exposes the colored people to great practical persecution, in order to force them to emigrate; and finally is calculated to swallow up and divert that feeling which America, as a Christian and a free country, cannot but en tertain, that slavery is alike incompatible with the law of God, and the well being of man, whether of the enslaver, or the enslaved. We must be understood utterly to repu diate the principles of the American Colonization Society." The opponents of slavery in England, as well as here, at first hailed the society as an auxiliary, and the antislavery societies there, in the warmth of their zeal, began to remit contributions to its funds: by these same people, the society is now regarded with detestation. Probably no religious periodical, possesses in an equal degree, the confidence of the religious community here, as the London Christian Observer. The Observer formerly commended the society. Hear the present sentiments of its late Editor, the distinguished Z. Macauley, Esq., M. P. "The unchristian prejudice of color, which alone has given birth to the Colonization Society, though varnished over with other more plausible pretences, and veiled under a profession of Christian regard, for the temporal and spiritual interests of the negro, which is belied by the whole course of its reasonings, and the spirit of its measures, is so detestable in itself, that I think it ought not to be tolerated; but on the contrary, ought to be denounced and opposed by all humane, and especially all pious persons in this country." Letter 14th July, 1833, to Mr. Garrison. For a quarter of a century, William Allen, a London quaker, has been prominent in every good work, and his name is familiar to all acquainted with the great Catholic institutions of England. This eminent and zealous philanthropist thus writes: 86 Having heard thy exposition of the origin and main object of the American Colonization Society, at the meeting on the 13th instant, at Exeter Hall, and having read their own printed documents, I scarcely know how adequately to express my surprise and indignation, that my correspondents in North America should not have informed me of the real principles of the said Society; and also, that Elliott Cresson, knowing as he must have known the abominable sentiments it has printed and published, should have condescended to become its agent." Letter 15th of 7th Month, 1833. Mr. Buxton, the successor of Mr. Wilberforce as the parliamentary leader in the cause of Abolition, thus expresses himself: "My views of the Colonization Society you are aware of. They do not fall far short of those expressed by my friend Mr. Cropper, when he termed its objects diabolical." Letter of July 12th, 1833. But is it only in Britain, that good men have found themselves disappointed in the society? Who compose our present Anti-slavery Societies? Pious conscientious men, who, with scarcely an exception, were formerly advocates of Colonization. A Clergyman of Massachusetts, in the following passage, expresses the sentiments of a numerous and increasing body. "I have been constrained to withdraw my confidence and co-operation from this scheme. It is a scheme in which I was once deeply interested. I have spoken and preached, and written and taken contributions in its behalf. I did not then understand the real nature and tendency of the scheme. I meant well in espousing it, but I now see my error and my sin; and though it was a sin of ignorance, I desire to repent of it." Almost daily do we hear of Colonizationists awaking as from a dream, and expressing their astonishment and regret at the delusion into which they had fallen. To the Christian members of the society, we would now address ourselves, and ask, have we not proved enough to induce you to pause, to examine, and to pray, before you longer lend your names, and contribute your funds to the purposes of Colonization? Do no secret misgivings of conscience now trouble you; and are you perfectly sure that in supporting the society, you are influenced by the precepts of the Gospel, and not by prejudice against an unhappy portion of the human family? If on a full investigation of the subject, you discover that Colonization is not what you believed and hoped it was, remember that it is your duty to obviate, as far as possible, by a frank and open declaration of your opinion, the evil your example has done. Be not ashamed, be not slow to follow Wilberforce in entering your protest against the society. If that society leads to the degradation and oppression of the poor colored man-if it resists every effort to free the slave-if it misleads the conscience of the slaveholder, you are bound, your God requires you to oppose it, not in secret, but before the world. Soon will you stand at the judgment seat of Christ; there will you meet the free negro, the slave, and the master-take care lest they all appear as witnesses against you. |