VOL. I.] THE ABOLITIONIST. JANUARY, 1833. THE ABOLITIONIST. THE object of the Abolitionist, as its name indicates, is to promote the abolition of slavery, and also to improve the condition of the free people of color in the United States. The work will be under the editorial supervision of a Committee of the New-England Anti-Slavery Society. We believe that very unsound opinions and unchristian feelings, in regard to slavery, prevail throughout our country. Even in the states in which slavery is not tolerated, the great majority of the people are its apologists and supporters. Many, while they acknowledge that slavery is an evil, seem quite unconscious that to keep men in bondage is a sin. They pity the unfortunate slaveholder, but have no sympathy for the wretched slave. While they lament that a large portion of our country should have its morals corrupted, its wealth and strength impaired, and its future prospects shrouded in gloom, by the institution of slavery, they with the greatest inconsistency brand every one as an unprincipled incendiary, who attempts to point out any remedy for these present and future evils. [NO. I. no admission in the Abolitionist, and will receive from it nothing but reprobation. We shall address ourselves to the reason and humanity of our countrymen. We see among us a large proportion of our population distinguished from the rest only in color and features, who are yet, on account of this distinction, made the victims of an inveterate and unchristian prejudice. Knowing that our countrymen are men, and that the great majority of them are Christians, we shall endeavor to show that this prejudice is not sanctioned either by reason, religion, or humanity. We shall, therefore, call on every individual, who feels convinced of this truth, to exert himself to impress it upon his neighbors. Believing in a superintending Providence, we cannot doubt that truth and justice will finally prevail. We shall recommend the moral and intel We shall advocate IMMEDIATE ABOLITION. Let not our readers startle at the words. We shall show by abundant facts before the year is out, that wherever the experiment of immediate abolition has been tried, it has been successful. Even the history of Hayti, which has been so much misunderstood and misrepreWe contend that slavery is as proper a sub-sented, affords unanswerable evidence of this ject of discussion, as any other topic in which truth. large numbers of men are concerned; and no good reason can be shown for restraining the liberty of the press on this subject, which will not apply to many others. Bonaparte, and other despotic rulers, have thought that no measures of government ought to be freely canvassed in the public prints. If it be once admitted that there is any one topic in which the public is concerned, on which the press may not speak freely, there is no principle on which the freedom of the press can be defended. lectual education of the people of color in our country, both bond and free. Even corporeal liberty is of little comparative value to its possessors, while their minds remain enenslaved to ignorance, sloth and sensuality. We cannot, in the course of these brief introductory remarks, present our readers with all our opinions on the momentous subjects which will be discussed in our publication. While, however, we advocate the unre- All that we can promise is, hearts devoted to strained right of expressing opinion, we are the great cause in which we are engaged. If far from recommending the publication of any our publication shall in some degree, however thing designed to excite the slaves to insur-small, promote it, our labors will not be in rection. Pieces with such an object will find vain. VOL. I. 1 2 CIETY. New-England Anti-Slavery Society. NEW-ENGLAND ANTI-SLAVERY SO- [ has been shed where all was obscure, though in some instances the darkness 'comprehended it not.' The First Annual Meeting of this Society takes place on the second Wednesday of January, instant, on which occasion a general invitation is given by its Managers to all the friends of the colored race in New-England to be present. A particular account of the proceedings (which are expected to be of an interesting character) will be given in the Abolitionist for February. This Society was formed on the first of January, 1832. The second article of its Constitution explains the purposes of its organization: The Society commences its operations for another year, with a rich accumulation of experience, hope and zeal. Cheered by the promises of Him who cannot lie, relying upon His gracious assistance, and warmed by a love toward all classes of men which many waters cannot quench, it resolves to persevere in its benevolent enterprise, through evil as well as good report, whether men will hear, or whether they will forbear. May all its measures be such as to commend themselves to all who sincerely desire the welfare of their fellow 'Article 2. The objects of the Society shall be to en-men, and be acceptable in the sight of the deavor, by all means sanctioned by law, humanity and Most High God, who has made of one blood religion, to effect the abolition of slavery in the United States, to improve the character and condition of the all nations of men to dwell upon all the face free people of color, to inform and correct public opin- of the earth'---who regards the cries of the ion in relation to their situation and rights, and obtain for them equal civil and political rights and privileges prisoner, and has given us his word that he with the whites.' ' will maintain the cause of the afflicted and the right of the poor '! We think it may be truly said, that no society, commencing under such adverse cir- Whatever differences of opinion may precumstances and possessing such limited vail, respecting the best mode of attacking the means, has ever risen so rapidly in import-slave-system, there is one object cherished by ance, or so widely operated upon public sen- the Anti-Slavery Society, for the promotion timent, or at the expiration of its first year of which all parties and denominations should given so much promise of usefulness, as the coalesce---namely, 'to improve the character Anti-Slavery Society. It is true, extraordi- and condition of the free people of color.' nary efforts have been made to crush it, by How many more of this unfortunate class are the enemies of full and immediate restitution we determined to scorn, and proscribe, and to the slaves; hideous caricatures of its fea- ruin? Do we not owe them an immense debt, tures have been held up to the public view; for years of suffering, infamy and oppression? its claims for the victims of southern oppres--Public odium, like the atmosphere, sursion, although graduated by the lowest scale rounds them. A sense of inferiority is made of justice, have created in various quarters alarming apprehensions, simply because they have been misinterpreted by ignorance, or exaggerated by prejudice :---but, in despite of the opposition of a rival, well-disciplined and powerful association, and of these various hindrances, the Anti-Slavery Society has accomplished much for the cause of liberty and justice, by a wide dissemination of its principles, and the employment of a zealous and intelligent Agent. Probably, through its instrumentality, more public addresses on the subject of slavery, and appeals in behalf of the contemned free people of color, have been made in New-England, during the past year, than were elicited for forty years prior to its organization. These efforts have excited a spirit of inquiry, and a vigorous discussion in the community; the hearts of multitudes have been touched with a flame of sympathy; light to press upon them with a mighty weight. With what face can we, who are persecuting our colored brethren here, assail southern oppressors? If we are unwilling to do justly by them, how shall we plead for justice toward the slaves? If we refuse to educate their children, and leave them in their degradation, how shall we dare arraign the people of the south for keeping their slaves in a similarly ignorant condition? Before New-England can go forward boldly and efficiently in the cause of emancipation, she must elevate her colored population, and rank them with the rest of her children. Reform, not partial but entire--not in the letter but the spirit----must first commence at home. Philanthropists and Christians! come forth, then, to sustain by your contributions the Anti-Slavery Society in this benevolent work, and the blessings of many shall rest upon your heads. |