Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-07-06

Colony is regarded by the Native Tribes IN whose
vicinity it is planted. Are those feelings hostile
or friendly!.In high degree friendly! In the
l4th Report of the American Colonization So
ciety. we were told that native Chief, with his
people, had sought the protection and placed HIM
self under tue authority Of the laws OF the Co
lony Other Chiefs and tribes have followed this
example, and the Colonial Agent observes, in
late letter, that the natives deem it no small
privilege to be permitted to call themselves Anne
ricans. Indeed the humanity and justice OF the
Government and people, in all their intercourse
with the natives. has won so much upon their
confidence and esteem, that nearly all the tribes
in the neghborhood are disposed 10 yield up their
Independence for the additional peace and secu.
ritv they would enjoy under the direction and
guardianship of the Colony. Distant tribes, too,
are beginning to sue for the same blessings; and
it is the purpose of the Board. and OF the Colo
NAL Government, to comply with such requests
in all cases. except where, by the remoteness or
peculiar situation of the applicants. it may be
impossible to extend over them adequate control
and protection. 1t is hoped and believed. that
the oppressed natives Of Africa will find IN the
Colony Of Liberia power friendly and Christian,
ready at all times to be exerted in defence OF the
helpless but con6dng, and to confer upon them.
WIN a NOeral manu-, tne IneetlHduie ulessiuSo
with which she is entrusted. =
Here let US pause moment, and bringing these
few facts into one point Of view, let Us see what
is the present condition Of this experiment. There
is Colony Of more than 5000 persons, once de-
graded slaves. now happy freemen, living under
a Government of their own choice. Here are re-
spectacle Observation-Disclosures farmers-pros-
porous trahesmen--here are courts administering
justice, schools imparting knowedg e-churches
celebrating the praises of the Living God. Yes,
here, where for centuries, the man-stealer once
| walked in proud insolence, and scattered fire.
brands, arrows and death-severed with ruthless
hand the tendrres ties of humanity filled the
whole surrounding population, with "lamenta.
| tation, weeping and woe" we now see ram
somed, enlightened, and patriotic people-the
germ Of great epublic-layins the foundations
of their Government in justice and humanity,
making it one of their fundamental laws, that
| ..slavery shall never exist in the ColoEy"-each-
| ing the natives both by example and precept-how
they can live without the slave trade-how they
can escape its evils-hOw by the arts of civilized
life, they may elevate themselves from degrade
ton and poverty, to competence and respectabi-
| lity--breaking up the trade in human blood and
| bones as far as it existed along the cOast-ex.
tending over their feeble and oppressed neigh
bors the strong arm of protection-and inviting
| their brethren in this country and in Africa, to
share with them freely. in all the blessings they
enjoy, and in oil they anticipate.
Is there free person of color among us, who
has looked, can look upon this people, his own
people. who have braved so many dangers, and
encountered so many hardships, to open an asy-
| lum. for their brethren at home and abroad:-can
he look. we ask, upon this people. and not feel
pride of heart, that he can call them his breth-
rem. And can he think of the blessings they have
already conferred upon his own Nauon-upon
| Africa,
Sand feel his heart cold and dead.
| As nev.r to h mself have said
| This is my own. IN, native iand!"
Can he be content to sit down here in compa-
ratve idleness 4 degradation, and leave his breth-
rem to serve alone in work OF so much honor.
and Of so much promise.
Perhaps the designing, or the unlnformed white
men. like the spies of old. have brought up an
evil report of the land Perhap, they have told him
that ..it Is land tnat eateih up its inhabitants"
that there he will see the Giants-that there
fell dscord holds her unsettled throne, and keeps
her unhappy subjects in perpetual tur,noit-that
there, in word. grim death. detes'ed death. calls
daily for his millions at meal. We throw our.
selves between these evil reporters, and the VIC
tins OF their duplicty. or ignorance. Like Ca
leb of old we would still the murmurings "f the
people, we say to them. if the Lord delight
in you, he will bring you into that land: for it is
to you "the land of promise" Should we how
ever not be believed, Others ,DiI be believed -
When those who are now in Africa shall return,
bringing not a bunch Of grapes between two, but
their Coffee, and sugar, and Camwood. aud In.
digo, and Ivory and shall tell Of their peace, and
glory, aud riches, will they not be credited? And
will not those whose welfare, is the great leading
object of our society. be then as anxious. as they
are now reluctant to 60 to the land OF their ia.
Tiers.
Let US indulge in pleasing anticipations. We
! have shown you the Colony as ii Is: let US look
to what II Is to be andfo do. IL is 10 increase in
populati6n-sIowIy, if you will have it so: but
certainly it is to increase in numbers. As its
numbers increase. it must stretch forth the cur.
tains of,s habiIa,ioR. IL mi4 spread itself along
the coast. And the more rapidly the better for
bleeding humanity For alas! the slave trade,
though denounced by every Christian nation. is
still carried on with increased horrors. Though
England and France and the United States are,
in good faith, seeking to terminate its enormites,
! = has haop cbpc pd nnly in he m yici-