The Liberator

[For the Liberator.]

CUSHING'S ORATION.

The Hon. Caleb Cushing, of Newburyport, delivered an address before the Massachusetts Colonization Society, on the 4th of July, in which I find the following erroneous statement of the object of the Society.

'What then is the object of the Colonization Society? Is it laudable? Is it honorably pursued? This object is simple, direct, visible; there is no concealment of real design, there is no profession of a simulated one; it is to establish colonies on the western coast of Africa, by means of such colored persons, or emancipated slaves in the United States, as voluntarily emigrate, under the auspices of the Society.'

The establishment of colonies on the western coast of Africa, does not appear by the constitution, or resolutions of the Society, to constitute any part of the object of that institution. What a pity it is, when men attempt to give to the people of the non-slaveholding States, the object, and character of the American Colonization Society, that they always substitute their own notions of what it should be, for the official declarations of the Society itself of what it is. Permit me, therefore, to recommend to the Hon. Mr. Cushing, to turn to the 22nd page of the last Annual Report of the Society, where he will find the following resolution, unanimously adopted at the last annual meeting.

'Resolved, That the true and single object of the Society, is that which is expressed in its original constitution, viz. To promote and execute a plan, for colonizing, with their consent, the free people of color residing in our country, in Africa, or such other place as Congress shall deem most expedient;' and that this object will be hereafter, as it has been heretofore, steadily adhered to.'

By this resolution, it appears that the only object of the Society is, to get rid of the free colored people, by sending them to the coast of Africa, or any other place which Congress may deem expedient. The Colonization Society, by leaving it to Congress to fix the place of banishment for the unfortunate free colored people, have demonstrated in the clearest manner possible, that their only object is, to get them out of this country, where they are regarded as walking mirrors, reflecting the light of freedom into the dark bosoms of the slaves.' Not one word is said in the resolution of the Society, about 'emancipated slaves;' and I very much question, whether the Hon. Orator can find any official publication of the Society, which will bear him out in the statement which he has given of its object. I think, therefore, he has been guilty of a 'concealment of the real design,' and of the profession of a simulated one.'

CANDOR.