The Northern star, and farmers' and mechanics' advocate. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1830-1834, 1833-07-20
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NORTHERN STAR.
r. ]. SATURDAY, JULY 20. 1898
COLONY OFLIBERIa.

COLONY or LIBERIA.
Among the many projects for amelioratng the
condition ofthe African race, which the phan-
ihropc and benevolent have devised, none promis-
es to be ofsuch extensive benefit as the one put in
to operation by the American Colonization Socie-
ty. Scarcely ten years have elars.d since the
landing Of the first emigrants at Cape Mesurado
and yet, agreeably to recent report Of the Socie-
ty, the Colony Of Liberia now possesses popula-
tion Of nearly three thousand souls. Obstacles,
both physical and moral have been encountered,
and in great measure, overcome. New settle
lions have been vanquished, or become tributary
to the coionists, and large acquisitions Of territory
have been added to the original boundaries ofwhich
the colonists are now in the quiet and undisputed
possession. The fame ofthe colony has already
spread far into the INTERIOR and promises to be pro-
ductive Of an increased intercourse with regions
heretofore unexplored by European or American
travellers A profitable traffic with the natives Of
these inhospitable regions has commenced, and
means have been adopted to give increased facili-
part are contened and happy people. The eli
mate is congenal with the constitution Of the
blacks, and is considered healthy to most Of the
colonists. The soil is fertile aud produces in a.
bundance, and with little cultivation, all the neces-
saries and even luxuries Of life. Liberty, both po
litical and religious, is enjoyed to the fullest extent
compatible with individual rights and the security
Of social order. Schools have been established un-
der the superintendance Of competent teachers, SO
that the means Of knowledge are alike extended to
all, and the expenses betrayed from the public
treasury. The report, on the whole, represents
the situation and present prospect Of the colony to
be such to afford cause ofrejoicng to the friends
Of African emancipation throughout the world
To US it appears that the question, whether this
hitherto degraded species Of our race, are suscep
bic ofintellectual improvement, and can be raised
to civilization and refinement, depends for its sou-
ton and the issue of this audable enterprise. 1t
is presumed that there can be no better test of in
tellectual stamina in any people than their capaci-
ty to organize and maintain those civil and political
regulations by which the social compact is held to-
gethsr, and in which each individual has an equal
voice.
For, until within comparatively short period, it
has been questioned, even among nations Of high
intellectual attanments, whether man, in the ag
gregate, possesses the capacity Of selfgovern-
ment. If, therefore, the few blacks, transported
to the colony Of Liberia, shall succeed in estab-
fishing and maintaining those principles Of govern
ment by which they have been thus fas prosperous
united, and happy we shall ask for no further
proofs ofntellect, nor wait for its further devel-
opement, in order to place them in that scale ofbe-
ing to which their whole physical system SO plain
ly declares them to be entitled. What has already
transpired augurs well for the future. What ten
years ago was decreed the wild project Of fanatics
and fools, has now the prayers and patronage Of
the vrtuous and enlightened Even the enemies
of colonization like reasonable men and true christ
ians, having become convinced Of the practicable
ity of the plan, and witnessed the astonishing pro-
gress that has already been made, have ceased
their opposition, and Of the slave holding States
has made provision for an annual appropriation OF
nearly twenty thousand dollars, in aid Of the OBJ
jects Of the Colonization Society.
We look upon this appropriation as an import
ant era in the transactions ofths society for we
believe it is the first aid that has been received from
either the State or General Government. We
hope it will not only strengthen the hands and
stimulate the members to renewed exertions in
the cause they have espoused, but serve as an ex-
ample to the other slave holding States to 60 and
do likewise