New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1842-05-03
VOL. III. NO. 20.

The formation IF the American Colonization So
cicty IL. object. the commencement OF a colony IN
Liberia on he western coast Of Afrcn and it, pro-
orcs. M 10 hi. time. are known to the American
public. Whatever Bay be the fate Of that colony.
The scheme Of colonization itself was evidently wise
and benevolent and adapted to the end IN view
The object OF the society wns to remove free coli
orcd men with their own consent, from country
where in,urnountabc difficulties appeared to be in
toe way of their elevation. 10 a country where all
thoir energies could be called into action and have
f.l srope Some of the early friends of the socie
~. nD doubt had other views than those cXPres sed
In giving IT thci support this docs not, however,
detract from IT, merit, nor from the wisdom and
bencyoencc Of is founders. II the chances OF sue
cess had been ever 80 doubtful the experiment was
bold, and commended Itself to the benevolent
world. The good to be attained. if sacce.- 'ul,
would embrace the whole African race. But the
scheme itself was practicable, and tie partial ssc-
cess which has attended it. prosecution Is attnbu-
table To causes which could not have cniore,een,
and the errors which might have been avoided.
The disease, on the coast Of Africa proved more
fatal TO the cmigran,s than had been anticipated,
and the frequent changes Of physicians occa.ioned
by death and other causes, rendered it impossible
to extend the medical aid required, as neither
knowledge Of the disease, nor the means of conn-
tersc,ing It's fatal influences, could be attained but
by practice and experience.
1t was known that the climate Of Africa had
proved uufavorabe to the health Of white men who
had visited it. but those had been most travellers
Or trader. exposed to the malaria of the low land-
nj the mouth, sf rivers. II reasonable {" be-
lieve that emigrants settled on high and sry table
land., provided with good houses ard supphed
wiih rood watcrand provisions, would pas, through
the accmaling sickness which Is generally attend
ant on emigration from a temperate 10 tropical
climate, without extraordinary suffering 1t the
location fixed upon did not possess these advanta-
gcs it was either tn error Of the agents who So
l-cred IT, or the result of circumstances which could
not be controlled, and u. therefore not chargeahe
upon the plan itself. Even a the place selected
much suffering ~ well as expense might have been
avoided could Ike socicty kave made suitable pre-
partitions for the reception ct the hr-i emlsfaht'
liy bull ding good cabins. clearing and planting
pubic farm, and securirs the irlcnd'hlp oil the
natives. But "A company of einisrantS mad been
settled ri Shcrbro which Plac" proved go unhcatiy
thar the settlement had bees brcb ken up, and Tie
surviving cmierauis carried To Sierra Leone where
they waited inpatcnlv until new location could |
be selected for colony. Delay or hesitation on
the part of the society in making immediate pro- |
vision for these ernganis, and in sending those
then offered, might have weakened pubic comb
dence in the infant society, and thus Parayzcd IT.
efforts. Il was therefore compelled TO advance,
and encounter all hazards. settlement was
Mt Monrovia, but the natives from
whom the territory was purchased proved iai,hle's,
md became hostile and the little band of colored
heroes. in building their houses, were obliged like
be jew, in rebuilding Jerusalem, to do it fighting
they however triumphed a, by miracle.