History of the Negro Race in America from 1619 to 1880. Vol. 2: Negroes as Slaves, as Soldiers, and as CitizensWilliams, George Washington
History
History of the Negro Race in America from 1619 to 1880. Vol. 2: Negroes as Slaves, as Soldiers, and as Citizens
Williams, George Washington
African Americans -- History; Liberia; Sierra Leone
"This spirit of persecution was the cause of our Convention. It
was that first induced us to seek an asylum in the Canadas; and
the Convention feels happy to report to its brethren, that our
efforts to establish a settlement in that province have not been
made in vain. Our prospects are cheering; our friends and funds
are daily increasing; wonders have been performed far exceeding
our most sanguine expectations; already have our brethren
purchased eight hundred acres of land--and two thousand of them
have left the soil of their birth, crossed the lines, and laid
the foundation for a structure which promises to prove an asylum
for the colored population of these United States. They have
erected two hundred log-houses, and have five hundred acres under
cultivation.
"And now it is to your fostering care the Convention appeals, and
we appeal to you as to men and brethren, yet to enlarge their
borders.
"We therefore ask of you, brethren,--we ask of you,
philanthropists of every color and of every kindred,--to assist
us in this undertaking. We look to a kind Providence and to you
to say whether our desires shall be realized and our labors
crowned with success.
"The Convention has done its duty, and it now remains for you,
brethren, to do yours. Various obstacles have been thrown in our
way by those opposed to the elevation of the human species; but,
thanks to an all-wise Providence, his goodness has as yet cleared
the way, and our advance has been slow but steady. The only thing
now wanted, is an accumulation of funds, in order to enable us to
make a purchase agreeable to the direction of the first
Convention; and, to effect that purpose, the Convention has
recommended, to the different Societies engaged in that cause, to
preserve and prosecute their designs with double energy; and we
would earnestly recommend to every colored man (who feels the
weight of his degradation), to consider himself in duty bound to
contribute his mite toward this great object. We would say to
all, that the prosperity of the rising generation mainly depends
upon our active exertions.
"Yes, it is with us to say whether they shall assume a rank and
standing among the nations of the earth, as men and freemen, or
whether they shall still be prized and held at market-price. Oh,
then, by a brother's love, and by all that makes man dear to man,
awake in time! Be wise! Be free! Endeavor to walk with
circumspection; be obedient to the laws of our common country;
honor and respect its lawmakers and law-givers; and, through all,
let us not forget to respect ourselves.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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