I have in the preceding pages endeavored to show, that the visionary schemes of abolitionists can never accomplish anything for the slave; but that they are on the contrary, potent for evil, and powerless for good.  It is therefore incumbent on me to reply to the interrogatory, what can be done?  By what means can slavery be abolished in the United States?  Is it practicable?  Yes; it can be done; and the only means by which it can be accomplished, is by colonization.  There is no other safe and practicable method, or way, by which slavery can be abolished in the United States.  It is probable that an objector will point to the African colonization society, and ask, what has it accomplished towards the abolition of slavery?  But little, I admit.  The reason is obvious.  It grows out of the immense distance of Africa from the United States and the vast difficulties, and expenditures, consequent upon the transportation of free blacks from the United States, to the colony in Africa, and also the unwillingness of a majority of the free blacks to leave this country, or at least, to be transported to Africa.

Those philanthropists, who originated the African colonization society, had another object in view.  Their prime object was, the regeneration of Africa; and in this they will probably succeed.  We must colonize the free blacks nearer home.  We must have territory set apart for that purpose, somewhere on this continent; if we expect to accomplish anything toward the abolition of slavery by colonization.  Slaveholders must get their eyes open.  They must have light on the subject.  They must become satisfied that it is not only their duty, but their interest, to prepare and qualify the rising generation of slaves for the enjoyment of freedom.  Slaves must be educated and enlightened before they are liberated.

We of the North must approach our Southern brethren in a spirit of kindness, conciliation and concession; and talk to them as brothers, and not denounce and stigmatize them as murderers, rogues, rascals, slave-catchers and kidnappers.  We have mistaken Southern men and Southern character.

We may lead Southern men, but we cannot drive them.  We must treat them as gentlemen; we must approach them as friends, holding the olive branch of peace in our hands, and treat them with that civility, kindness and condescension, to which they are accustomed, and to which they think themselves entitled.  Don’t talk to Southern men about liberating slaves, until some provision is made for manumitted slaves—­an asylum provided where they can quietly repose in peace, and enjoy the blessings of freedom.  Don’t urge them to liberate their slaves, when both the condition of the master and the slave is made worse thereby.  ’Tis folly—­’tis sheer nonsense; and well informed men ought to be ashamed thus to conduct themselves.  If you know anything, you ought to know better; and if you know nothing, you ought to say nothing, until you are better