MR. GARNET’S
DISCOURSE.
THE
PAST AND THE PRESENT
CONDITION, AND THE DESTINY,
OF
THE COLORED RACE:
A DISCOURSE
DELIVERED AT THE FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY
OF THE
FEMALE BENEVOLENT SOCIETY
OF TROY, N. Y., FEB. 14, 1848,
BY
HENRY HIGHLAND GARNET.
TROY, N. Y.:
STEAM PRESS OF J. C. KNEELAND AND CO.
1848.
Troy, Feb. 22, 1848.
Rev. Henry H. Garnet—
Dear Sir:—The members of F. B. S., having listenedto your discourse with great pleasure, and being desirous to present it to thePublic, have requested us to solicit a copy for publication, and we trust, sir, thatnothing will prevent you from granting our request,
Most respectfully, &c.,
Troy, Feb. 26, 1848.
Ladies:—I have received your polite note of the 22d inst., and, while I considermyself fortunate in serving you acceptably, I deem it my duty to complywith your request.
I am, Ladies, and ever hope to be, your friend and servant,
H. H. GARNET.
Mrs. H. B. Rich,
Miss Charlotte Putman,
Miss L. A. Gideons.
ADDRESS.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
My theme is the Past and the Present condition, andthe Destiny of the Colored race. The path of thought whichyou are invited to travel, has not as I am aware, beenpursued heretofore to any considerable extent. The Present,is the midway between the Past and the Future.Let us ascend that sublime eminence, that we may viewthe vast empire of ruin that is scarcely discernable throughthe mists of former ages; and if, while we are dwellingupon the desolations that meet our eyes, we shall mournover them, I entreat you to look upward and behold thebright, scenery of the future. There we have a clear sky,and from thence are refreshing breezes. The airy plainsare radiant with prophetic brightness, and truth, love, andliberty are descending the heavens, bearing the charter ofman’s destiny to a waiting world.
All the various forms of truth that are presented to theminds of men, are in perfect harmony with the governmentof God. Many things that appear to be dis