Colonization is practicable.

A British cruiser gives chase to a slaver-up go American colors! America denies the right of search in the case, and off goes the slaver untouched and unharmed. Thus does America nullify her own law, and, so far as she can, the laws of all other civilized powers, and unfurl her flag for the escape and protection, rather than the arrest and punishment of the slaver !"

CONVERSATION XXVII.

"As in ancient Rome, it was regarded as the mark of a good citizen, never to despair of the fortunes of the republic; so the good citizen of the world, whatever may be the political aspect of his own times, will never despair of the fortunes of the human race; but will act upon the conviction, that prejudice, slavery, and corruption, must gradually give way to truth, liberty, and virtue."-Dugald Stewart.

'I HOPE, Pa,' said Caroline, that the scheme of the Colonization Society is, beyond any doubt, practicable?'

'Some have pronounced it otherwise,' said Mr. L., and so almost every great enterprise has had to encounter similar objections. The first suggestions touching the feasibility of employing the agency of steam-the first proposition for supplying by artificial means the absence of natural facilities for inland navigation-and the object of our revolutionary struggle, were treated by many as impracticable. So were the plans of him

"who first unfurl'd

An Eastern banner o'er the Western world."

*The expeditions of Columbus, Cabot, Raleigh, Hudson, Winthrop, Oglethorpe, were all considered visionary.

Colonization is practicable.

But the experiment in this case also is made; the obstacles have been overcome; and their remains, in my mind, not the slightest doubt of its entire practicability.

The views of those who at first asserted the impractica bility of the enterprise, and augured its defeat, were certain* ly entitled to consideration; nor am I even now disposed to join with such as say that those who, at this late day, asserts the impracticability of the colonization enterprise, "deserve a straight jacket”—but it does appear to me that since a pros perous colony has been established, and the most formidable difficulties have been encountered and overcome, ultimate success, on a scale of vast magnificence, may be confidently expected. It has been well remarked, by a sound philosopher, that "the greatest of all obstacles to the improve ment of the world, is the prevailing belief of its improbability, which damps the exertions of so many individuals; and that, in proportion as the contrary opinion becomes general, it realizes the event which it leads us to anticipate.” Mr. Dugald Stewart further remarks that "if any thing can have a tendency to call forth in the public service the exertions of individuals, it must be an idea of the magnitude of that work in which they are conspiring, and a belief of the permanence of those benefits which they confer on mankind, by every attempt to inform and enlighten them." This enterprise has suffered much from unnecessary discouragement and opposition; but it is a noble work, and in respect to the benefit which it promises, may well rank among the first of the benevolent and patriotic efforts of man.'

'It certainly appears no more than just,' C. remarked, that we seek in this way to do Africa good; we have long enough done her wrong.'

True, my daughter; and I cannot better express my sentiment on this part of our duty, than to use the language

Colonization the best way of redressing Africa's wrongs.

of Mr. Frelinghuysen :-"We have committed a mighty trespass. Africa has a heavy claim against us. It is a long and bloody catalogue of outrage and oppression. The report of our national crime has gone up to heaven. It rose upon the groans and tears of her kidnapped children-the infernal horrors of the slave-ship have, in ten thousand instances, wrung from distracted bosoms the cry for vengeance; and there is a just God to hear and regard it. On the front of this blessed scheme of humanity is inscribed, in better than golden characters, RECOMPENSE TO THE INJURED.'”

6

There is another consideration of interest to every one who loves his country and the cause of God. We shall, by colonization, establish the liberties of Africa, under our own, the very best form of government, and cheer that whole land with the pure light of Christianity.'

Pa, I cannot think of an object which seems to afford a fairer field for the exercise of the finest feelings of the true patriot and Christian."

What is patriotism?' said Henry: I have thought it would be difficult to define it, according to the generally understood meaning of the term at the present time. Is it not a feeling that influences to the practice of benevolent acts of self-denial and noble deeds for one's country's good?'

"That, Henry, is the very best meaning of the term when properly used. True patriotism is not a mere selfish love of country, but an expansive feeling that regards the evils that threaten or afflict the community at large, and every portion of that community, and labors to avert or remove them. Show me thy patriotism without thy works, every true patriot may say, and I will show thee my patriotism by my works. Empty is the boast of a patriotism that nerves the grasp of sordid lust when our country calls.

Colonization has claims on the patriot.

"Can he be strenuous in his country's cause,
Who slights the charities, for whose dear sake
That country, if at all, must be belov'd?"

There is much such patriotism in our day; and also too much of that which will sacrifice every benevolent, and Christian, and patriotic cause on the altar of sectarian illiberality, and the littleness of party interests. Ours should be a patriotism that is worthy of the descendants of revolutionary heroes. The evils of slavery in this country, extend their influence to every part of the Union; and the guilt of having encouraged, in times past, the introduction of slavery and the continuance of the slave-trade, rests upon every part of our country; and all should be willing and desirous to do what may be done with propriety to avert these evils and to expiate this guilt. As respects Africa, the wrong which she has received from us, is, in an important sense, a national sin; and as such, its expiation should be national. What our country, as such, however, is not yet prepared to do, true patriotism may attempt, according to its ability, to accomplish. If we wait for national action on this subject, Africa in the meanwhile suffers, and our country must suffer. Without arrogating to ourselves any disputed right whatever, we may individually or in associated capacities, do much for Africa's relief-much for our country's relief; whilst, in so doing, we also confer a great blessing upon the colored people in our land, both bond and free. And what may thus be done without offence, surely ought to be done, and done at once. There is danger in delay, for God is a God of justice. We may shut our eyes to the fact, and the mercenary hand of avarice may clench the fist which ought to be the open hand of benevolence and patriotism, but the evil will one day obtrude itself upon our notice. We were now the happiest people upon earth, but for this leprosy that is upon us. These 2,000,000 of bondmen who tread this

Colonization or ruin.

soil of freedom, and those 500,000 of their brethren who are nominally free, but are connected with them in all their sympathies and in all their interests, with their constantly and rapidly increasing numbers, greatly eclipse our prospects and are portentous of calamity!

'It surely needs not a prophet's ken to foretell what will be the result of a continuance of the present state of things. A slight knowledge of human nature, aided by the history: of the past, is sufficient for the purpose. Our black population was once a mole-hill, comparatively; it is now a mountain-and what is worse, that mountain is, as we have seen, volcanic! Short as yet have been its irruptions and few; but they have laid waste valuable lives, and have caused many a family to mourn, sending also a thrill to the very extremities of our land. These momentary emissions, are probably but the prelude, if something more efficient be not done for our relief and that speedily, of a general and awful explosion. Southampton and St. Domingo furnish some idea of what may be, unless the Christian and patriotic of this republic, so backward in its duty to itself and to Africa, awake to vigorous effort. The same causes with concurring circumstances, will produce like effects so long as the laws of nature remain unchanged, and the nature of man the same.

'Some, it is true, make a mock at the evils of slavery, and always puff at the idea of danger; but for myself, although not made of so yielding materials as to be easily alarmed by merely imaginary fears, I confess it appears far more than possible, that should we be indifferent to our duty, and angry discussions continue, the great and glorious Author of all our happiness and prosperity may be provoked by our sins, to blast our national blessings, and lay prematurely in the grave all our prospects. Empires rise and fall at His command. We look back through the long vista of ages, and many nations that were once, are now no more.

Others are mere