Volume II Part 7 (1/2)

[15] Sumner's Works, vol. i. p. 336.

[16] At the election that took place on the 9th of November, 1846, the vote stood as follows: Winthrop (Whig), 5,980; Howe (Anti-Slavery), 1,334; Homer (Democrat), 1,688; Whiton (Independent), 331. The number of tickets in the field indicated the state of public feeling.

[17] Sumner's Works, vol. 1. p. 337.

[18] Church As It Is, etc., Introduction.

[19] Channing's Works, vol. ii. p. 10, sq.

[20] American Conflict, vol. i. pp. 25, 26.

[21] The following were the objects of the Colonization Society:

”1st. To rescue the free colored people of the United States from their political and social disadvantages.

”2d. To place them in a country where they may enjoy the benefits of free government, with all the blessings which it brings in its train.

”3d. To spread civilization, sound morals, and true religion through the continent of Africa.

”4. To arrest and destroy the slave-trade.

”5. To afford slave-owners who wish, or are willing, to liberate their slaves an asylum for their reception.”

[22] The Republic, Sept. 11, 1850.

[23] National Intelligencer, October 23, 1850.

[24] Tribune, December 25, 1850.

[25] Herald, December, 17, 1850.

[26] It is to be regretted that William Still, the author of the U. G.

R. R., failed to give any account of its origin, organization, workings, or the number of persons helped to freedom. It is an interesting narrative of many cases, but is shorn of that minuteness of detail so indispensable to authentic historical memorials.

[27] Judge Stroud, William Goodell, Wendell Phillips, William Jay, and hundreds of other white men contributed to the anti-slavery literature of the period.

CHAPTER VI.

ANTI-SLAVERY EFFORTS OF FREE NEGROES.

INTELLIGENT INTEREST OF FREE NEGROES IN THE AGITATION MOVEMENT.--”FIRST ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE PEOPLE OF COLOR” HELD AT PHILADELPHIA.--REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COLLEGE FOR YOUNG MEN OF COLOR.--PROVISIONAL COMMITTEE APPOINTED IN EACH CITY.--CONVENTIONAL ADDRESS.--SECOND CONVENTION HELD AT BENEZET HALL, PHILADELPHIA.--RESOLUTIONS OF THE MEETING.--CONVENTIONAL ADDRESS.--THE Ma.s.sACHUSETTS GENERAL COLORED a.s.sOCIATION.--CONVENTION OF ANTI-SLAVERY WOMEN OF AMERICA AT NEW YORK.--PREJUDICE AGAINST ADMITTING NEGROES INTO WHITE SOCIETIES.--COLORED ORATORS.--THEIR ELOQUENT PLEAS FOR THEIR ENSLAVED RACE.

The free Negroes throughout the Northern States were not pa.s.sive during the agitation movement. They took a lively interest in the cause that had for its ultimate end the freedom of the slave. They did not comfort themselves with the consciousness that _they_ were free; but thought of _their brethren_ who were bound, and sympathized with them.

”_The First Annual Convention of the People of Color_” was held in Philadelphia from the 6th to the 11th of June, 1831. Its sessions were held ”in the brick Wesleyan Church, Lombard Street,” ”pursuant to public notice, ... signed by Dr. Belfast Burton and William Whipper.”

The following delegates were present: