Condition of the American Colored Population, and of the Colony at Liberia — John Shaqi
Condition of the American Colored Population, and of the Colony at LiberiaAmerican Colonization Society
History
Condition of the American Colored Population, and of the Colony at Liberia
American Colonization Society
African Americans -- Colonization -- Africa; Enslaved persons -- United States -- Social conditions
That the Colonization Society in its operations has a contrary effect,
appears from the circumstance that before this scheme commenced, little
or no interest was felt for the blacks, except by a few individuals.
Prejudice ground them in the dust; and, had their condition remained
unaltered, would have continued to oppress them to the end of time.
No sympathy was felt for them in their suffering and wretchedness.
Indeed, it did apparently no good to sympathize. It was like weeping
for the souls of the lost. Men will not feel when feeling is without
effect. At any rate, this was true in the case of the blacks. They were
despised, not because they were degraded merely; but because respect
could do them no good. But when the plan of colonizing them presented
itself, the case immediately altered--a way was open by which the black
could be benefited, and the hearts of all who understood the plan
prompted them to action. As soon as people saw that something could
be done to ameliorate the condition of this wretched race, they were
ready and willing to do it; and this feeling has gained strength with
the increase of light, and with the success of the enterprize--and may
we not expect that it will continue to gain strength as the colony
on the coast of Africa increases in magnitude and importance, and as
the practicability of the scheme of benevolence in question is with
every successive day made more and more certain? It must increase.
But some may say, and they have said, that this interest in behalf
of the blacks, so far from being an evidence that the prejudice is
diminishing, results directly from prejudice; and that if men would
show respect for the blacks, or any interest in their behalf, they
must treat them as they do themselves. Now this objection supposes two
things. First, that the plan of colonization is one of positive evil to
the blacks, not only in tendency but design. This assertion requires no
argument. Finley, and Mills, and Ashmun, did not lay down their lives
to sustain an Institution, which they thought would either directly or
indirectly prove an injury to the blacks. Christians do not now pray
for the success of this Institution because they hate the blacks, and
wish in this way to do them evil. Heaven forbid that any one should
charge them with such a crime! What, Christians pray and contribute for
the support of the Colonization Society because they hate the blacks!
Charity that endureth all things alone can endure this.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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