The colonizationist, 1847-05

The colonizationist; published under the sanction of the Indiana Colonizationist Society

Description:	This is volume 2, issue 2 of The Colonizationist, a monthly publication of the Indiana Colonization Society. It was printed by the Indiana State Journal in Indianapolis. The ICS, formed in 1829 and based in Indianapolis, advocated for the relocation of free people of color and emancipated slaves to settlements in Liberia, Africa. Overwhelmingly white, supporters of the Colonization Movement argued that an integrated society was impractical and impossible, and that black people could find liberty only in Africa. Free black people voiced strong opposition to this movement, as did abolitionists, who viewed the agenda of the Society as counterproductive for racial reconciliation and ineffective as a scheme to combat slavery. The publication was edited by B.T. Kavanaugh and P.D. Gurley and published by the Indiana State Journal, which was owned by publisher John D. Defrees. Kavanaugh, (1805-1888) was a Methodist minister and the agent of the ICS. P.D. Gurley, (1816-1868), was the minister of the First Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis (1840-1849), and later in 1859, was appointed the Chaplain of the United States. The publication contains essays by Kavanugh and Gurley, excerpts from like minded publications, such as The Colonization Herald, and an excerpt from the Cincinnati Herald on the topic of Liberia and its progress as a colony. It also includes poetry by a contributor with the penname Stella. In the essay Speaking the Truth in Love the author argues that opponents be engaged with less harsh criticism in order to persuade them to the cause of Colonization. Divisions in Political Parties argues for parties but against geographic division as the basis for conflict between the states. Evil Overuled for Good argues that colonization is part of a divine plan to bring Christianity to Africa. Underground Railroad argues against abolitionists who work to free slaves and empower them to escape. The essay claims that freed slaves are in a worse state in Canada than slavery, that those left behind suffer for their escape, and that breaking the law is always wrong, that the practice negatively impacts relations between states and causes further division. A short piece titled Indiana expounds on the growth of the movement in the state and correlates it to the states success and role model status. Other topics covered include the role the Colonization Movement has played in furthering emancipation, the difficulties of being an agent of the society, and a short statement on the tenets of the society.
Origin:	1847-05
Created By:	Indiana Colonization Society
Contributor(s):	Kavanaugh, B. T., 1805-1888; Gurley, P. D., 1816-1868
Publisher:	Indiana State Journal (Indianapolis, Ind.)
Source:	http://indianamemory.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p1819coll6/id/63031
Collection:	Indiana Historical Print Collection
Rights:	http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/
Copyright:	No Copyright - United States
Geography:	Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Subjects:	Indiana Colonization Society Back to Africa movement Colonization African Americans--History African Americans--Indiana African Americans--Social conditions Emigration and immigration Liberia Indianapolis (Ind.)--History Underground Railroad

Further information on this record can be found at its source.