When we compare the public sentiment relative to slavery at this period, with what it was, even a few years ago, have we not reason to hope that a propitious epoch is now at hand for benevolent humanity to exert itself in the cause of the afflicted innocence? Is not the evil which avarice and cupidity have drawn around our senses, gradually vanishing? Is not the monster of cruelty beheld more generally in his native form? We hail the increase of this sentiment as the beginning of auspicious consequence both to ourselves and the unfortunate sons of Africa. We hope that the sentiment will spread until we become a willing people to forsake our iniquity, and let the sufferers go; not by a miraculous interposition do we look for it to be accomplished with precipitation; but by such means as deliberate counsel and the direction of Providence may dictate, to be conformable with Justice to those who claim their services, and to the circumstances of those in servitude, by alleviating their wretched condition, and instilling into their minds such instruction as may prepare them for assuming their proper rank and station among rational beings, when the universal principles of propriety, justice, and equity, shall sanction it.[26] It has already been pointed out that interest in manumission began to wane in 1825. In 1827, the annual convention of the state society was poorly attended. No records of its life and activities after 1830 have been found.[27] A definite change of policy toward the free negro was being formulated during this period and it found expression in the Exclusion Act of 1831. This change of policy of the state meant the death of manumission as an organized movement. There were also some independent anti-slavery societies in the state. November 21, 1820, the Humane Protecting Society was organized in Greene County. Its purpose was to extend the rights of man to all, irrespective of race and color, and protect those “unlawfully oppressed.” The qualifications for membership were good moral character, friendship toward the government of the United States, and agreement to pay ten cents on the hundred dollar’s worth of one’s unencumbered estate as dues.[28] In 1826, there was organized at Nashoba, Shelby County, West Tennessee, the Emancipating Labor Society, by Miss Frances Wright of Scotland. In 1825, she bought eight tracts of land, aggregating 1,940 acres, lying on both sides of Wolf River, in the vicinity of Germantown and Ridgeway, paying $6,000 for the land.[29] The society was managed by a board of trustees under certain restrictions.[30]