The abolitionists of Europe, with few
exceptions, have seen the error of their former course of
action, and are now striking directly at the root, instead of
lopping the branches of slavery; and if further evidence of the
evil tendency and character of colonization is needed in the
United States, the recent proceeding of a meeting of the
Maryland Society at Baltimore, must convince all who are
friendly to the true interests of the people of color, that it
is a scheme deserving only the support of the enemies of
freedom.[A]
[Footnote A: "The following resolution was passed at the meeting
of the Maryland Society above alluded to:--'That while it is
most earnestly hoped that the free colored people of Maryland
may see that their best and most permanent interests will be
consulted by their emigration from this State; and while this
Convention would deprecate any departure from the principle
which makes colonization dependent upon the voluntary action of
the free colored people themselves--yet, if, regardless of what
has been done to provide them with an asylum, they continue to
persist in remaining in Maryland, in the hope of enjoying here
an equality of social and political rights, they ought to be
solemnly warned, that, in the opinion of this Convention, a day
must arrive when circumstances that cannot be controlled, and
which are now maturing, will deprive them of choice, and leave
them no alternative but removal,'"]
"The rapid progress of public opinion, as to the iniquity of
slavery, and the entire safety, as well as advantage, of its
immediate abolition--the attention which has been awakened to it
in all parts of the civilized world--the movements in France,
Spain, Brazil, and Denmark, and other countries with
slave-holding dependencies, all indicating that the days of
slavery are numbered, should serve to encourage and stimulate us
to increased exertions; and while it is a cause of profound
regret, that any thing should have disturbed the harmony and
unity of the real friends of emancipation in this country--the
hardest battle field of our moral warfare--I am not without
hope, that, in future, those who,--from a conscientious
difference of opinion, not as to the object, but the precise
mode of obtaining it,--cannot act in one united band, will
laudably emulate each other in the promotion of our common
cause, and in Christian forbearance upon points of disagreement;
and that, where they cannot praise, they will be careful not to
censure those, who, by a different road, are earnestly pursuing
the same end.
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