It is seen from the arguments of these distinguished Tennesseans that colonization of the free blacks was to them a pro-slavery, rather than an anti-slavery, movement. It was pro-slavery in that it made for the security of slavery, but it was anti-slavery in that, in Tennessee after 1831, emancipation could take place only on the condition of removal from the state. The prophecy that the negroes would receive the franchise is interesting in the light of what actually happened. Undoubtedly, the removal of the free blacks from the United States would have lessened friction between the North and the South. The colonization movement in Tennessee was a failure either as an abolition or as a colonizing agency. There were only 287 free negroes sent to Liberia from Tennessee from 1820 to 1866.[77] A few went to Hayti. Manumission was able to number only 7,300 free negroes in the state in 1860. Of course, free negroes were constantly leaving the state, especially after 1831, but not in any considerable number. The greatest good that came from these movements was the fostering of a humanitarian spirit toward the negro. FOOTNOTES [1] The Knoxville Gazette, January 23, 1797. [2] American Historical Review, V, 599. [3] Indiana Historical Society Publication, Vol. 12, p. 236. [4] Publication of Vanderbilt Southern Historical Society, No. 2, p. 11. [5] “We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, having met for the purpose of taking into consideration the case of the people of color held in bondage in an highly favored land, are of opinion that their case calls aloud for the attention and sympathy of Columbia’s free born sons, and for their exertions in endeavoring, by means calculated to promote and preserve the good of government to procure for that oppressed part of the community that inestimable jewel, _freedom_, the distinguishing glory of our country; without which all other enjoyments of life must become insignificant. “And while we highly esteem the incomparable Constitution of our country, for maintaining this great truth ‘That freedom is the natural right of all men, we desire that the feelings of our countrymen may be awakened, and they stimulated to use every lawful exertion in their power to advance that glorious day wherein all may enjoy their natural birthright.’ As we conceive this the way to ensure to our country the blessings of heaven, we think it expedient to form into a society, to be known by the name of the “Tennessee Society for Promoting the Manumission of Slaves” and adopt the following: CONSTITUTION Article I Each member to have an advertisement in the most conspicuous part of his house, in the following words, viz.: _Freedom_ is the _natural_ right of _all men_; _I therefore acknowledge myself a member of the Tennessee Society for Promoting the Manumission of Slaves_. Article II