The Condition, Elevation, Emigration, and Destiny of the Colored People of the United States | Page 9

good. Like Christianity, the principles are holy
and of divine origin. And we believe, if ever a man started right, with
pure and holy motives, Mr. Garrison did; and that, had he the power of
making the cause what it should be, it would all be right, and there
never would have been any cause for the remarks we have made,
though in kindness, and with the purest of motives. We are nevertheless,
still occupying a miserable position in the community, wherever we
live; and what we most desire is, to draw the attention of our people to

this fact, and point out what, in our opinion, we conceive to be a proper
remedy.

III
AMERICAN COLONIZATION
When we speak of colonization, we wish distinctly to be understood, as
speaking of the "American Colonization Society"--or that which is
under its influence--commenced in Richmond, Virginia, in 1817, under
the influence of Mr. Henry Clay of Ky., Judge Bushrod Washington of
Va., and other Southern slaveholders, having for their express object, as
their speeches and doings all justify us in asserting in good faith, the
removal of the free colored people from the land of their birth, for the
security of the slaves, as property to the slave propagandists.
This scheme had no sooner been propagated, than the old and leading
colored men of Philadelphia, Pa., with Richard Allen, James Forten,
and others at their head, true to their trust and the cause of their
brethren, summoned the colored people together, and then and there, in
language and with voices pointed and loud, protested against the
scheme as an outrage, having no other object in view, than the benefit
of the slave-holding interests of the country, and that as freemen, they
would never prove recreant to the cause of their brethren in bondage,
by leaving them without hope of redemption from their chains. This
determination of the colored patriots of Philadelphia was published in
full, authentically, and circulated throughout the length and breadth of
the country by the papers of the day. The colored people every where
received the news, and at once endorsed with heart and soul, the doings
of the Anti-Colonization Meeting of colored freemen. From that time
forth, the colored people generally have had no sympathy with the
colonization scheme, nor confidence in its leaders, looking upon them
all, as arrant hypocrites, seeking every opportunity to deceive them. In
a word, the monster was crippled in its infancy, and has never as yet
recovered from the stroke. It is true, that like its ancient sire, that was
"more subtile than all the beasts of the field," it has inherited a large

portion of his most prominent characteristic--an idiosyncrasy with the
animal--that enables him to entwine himself into the greater part of the
Church and other institutions of the country, which having once entered
there, leaves his venom, which put such a spell on the conductors of
those institutions, that is only on condition that a colored person
consents to go to the neighborhood of his kindred brother monster the
boa, that he may find admission in the one or the other. We look upon
the American Colonization Society as one of the most arrant enemies
of the colored man, ever seeking to discomfit him, and envying him of
every privilege that he may enjoy. We believe it to be anti-Christian in
its character, and misanthropic in its pretended sympathies. Because if
this were not the case, men could not be found professing morality and
Christianity--as to our astonishment we have found them--who
unhesitatingly say, "I know it is right"--that is in itself--"to do" so and
so, "and I am willing and ready to do it, but only on condition, that you
go to Africa." Indeed, a highly talented clergyman, informed us in
November last (three months ago) in the city of Philadelphia, that he
was present when the Rev. Doctor J.P. Durbin, late President of
Dickinson College, called on Rev. Mr. P. or B., to consult him about
going to Liberia, to take charge of the literary department of an
University in contemplation, when the following conversation ensued:
Mr. P.--"Doctor, I have as much and more than I can do here, in
educating the youth of our own country, and preparing them for
usefulness here at home." Dr. D.--"Yes, but do as you may, you can
never be elevated here." Mr. P.--"Doctor, do you not believe that the
religion of our blessed Redeemer Jesus Christ, has morality, humanity,
philanthropy, and justice enough in it to elevate us, and enable us to
obtain our rights in this our own country?" Dr. D.--"No, indeed, sir, I
do not, and if you depend upon that, your hopes are vain!" Mr.
P.--Turning to Doctor Durbin, looking him solemnly, though
affectionately in the face, remarked--"Well,