The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-12-16
LIberin.

among the many mOmentoUs events which
have rendered the past year memorable no On.
It seems 10 Us, IL more deeply interesting than
the recognition of the independence of Liberi.
While on the continent Of Europe. nation,
have been rent asunder, and blood has beer
freely shed in the struggle for liberty, on the
continent of Africa, despised, degraded Africa,
alittle band of cOlOnists has, quietly and unob-
served, except by few phiIanthropists. been
laying broad and deep the foundations Of mos
Perity and good government, and, 10, now, TO
the surprise Of all, this little band Of colouisls
steps forth in maturity and demands recognition
among the nations OF the world.
Her claim awakens much feeling and is ~
garded with respectful interest, for it is present.
Ell by one whose intelligence and bearing an
HOunce a true man. The principles. more
over, proclaimed in the Constitution of the new
republic, are such commend themselves 70
the European mind at this period, when all
hearts are glowing with love and liberty. The
claim is admitted and Liberia takes her place in
the great world's sisterhood.
We rejoice with unmingled iOy over the re-
cOgnition Of Liberisn independence. No. mot
with unmingled JOY, for eur pleasure is dimin-
ished by the reflection that Europe should have
anticipated America in this act of Justice and
benevoleBce. But, il matters not. Her indie
Pendence has been recognised, and, to the honor
Of France and England, be it said, pronptlv. |
cheerfully recognised, and Liberia now is ready |
to fulfil her appointed mission.
And what is this mission One which COM
mends itself TO the heart Of humanity as Of
transcendsnt importance. Il is, in the first
place, TO illustrate and demonstrate the capacitv
Of the black man foI sef-government, and. Tins
TO ameliOrate the condition, and elevate the
character Of the black man everywhere Let
Liberia continue, as she has commenced, her ma
tionsl existence, and the man must be singular
ly endowed with stupidity, who will adduce the
iBcapscity of the negro, as reason for DOOM
ing him e, bondage and everlasting degradation.
AaOther ilnPert-nt work confided 70 Liberia
Is TIE suppression Of the slave-irsde.
We 90 not mean that il will be in her power.
even though literally aided by England, France
and America, entirely 10 destroy this atrocious
traffic, foE long slavery exists, cupidity
will excite men TO engage in the traffic, and Gu
pioiIy can defy ali the armies and navies ofl
ChTlstenoom.
Our minds have been appalled,, in reading Of
late some authentic accounts Of the manner in :
which the sleye-trade is at present conducted
No horrors, which cur Imagination has ever .
ronjared up, can compare with the fendish cru i
cities designediy. habitualIy prsctised in the q
slave ships. And what adds TO the enormiiy Is, o
thst these crueities are determined upon before q
hand. enter as essential elements into the bust
aess calculations az the trader. Take one il y
ustration, Cor one ia snOngh A Brazilian cap :,
lam wishes 10 lsnd on the South American :.
soast cargo Of three hundred slaves. His YES u
sel, tbniifs probably, in some seaport Of our
Dn.on.j viii hold with close slowing four hun t
a-es and fifty human beings. This number he a
lakes on board. In a few hours the feeble and il
weakly Of his captives sicken from the foul air il
and the terrible pressure. These are pulled up Il
from die hold and thrown 10 one side of the az
isck. and there left to starve. and then are =
brown overheard. In q few hours more, others -
II the wresched victims become sick They -
.re torn up from the hold and left to die in the
'ams manner. And so the Internal work goes so
IN, until about one hundred and fifty ara de- M
troyed. and three hundred comparatively strong
md able slaves are lsft for sale in Brazil These
istais. reader, horrible as. they seem, are mat
srs Of fact, established by suthsntic testimony =