Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-08-22
steamships for Liberia.

Steamships for Liberia.
In this number of the Sentinel will be found an
extract from the report of MIR. Stanton, from the /
committee on Naval Affairs, to whom was referred /
the memorial of Joseph Bryan and others, praying
the establishment of line of steamers from the /
United States to the coast of Africa, to promote the
colonization of free persons Of color, to suppress
the African slave trade to carry the mails and to
extend the commerce of the United States
The present plan is to build three steam vessels
be employed in the above service. We have re-
Gently conversed with Lieut. McDougal Of the Ma |
Wy, at present visit to our city, and who has
been, for the last two years and half on the Afri-
can coast and who has frequently visited the Repub
lie of Liberia. He unites with most others, who
have given their views on the subject that the most
effecual of preventing the Slave trade, is to
plant colonies on the coast and consequently is
warmly in favor of plan, similar to the one adj
vocated by Mr. Stanton With regard to missionary
efforts in Africa, by white men, he believes nothing
will be accomplished. If ever Africa is re-
deemed from the darkness of heathenism that sur
rounds her, it must be by planting colonies the
coast, of enlightened colored men from the United
States, where wide field viii be opened before
them to extend the blessings of civilization and
Christianity to their benighted countrymen.
The present emigrants to Africa of the better
class of our colored population-many of them. ed
ucated and qualified at once to engage in CONNER
cial and other pursuits. Lieutenant Med gave an
instance of a colored man of his acquaintance, who,
in few years, had accumulated a handsome for
tune: He represents the soil very fertile and but
little labor necessary 10 procure subsistence.
What field is here presented TO the intelligent
son of Africa A field where he may be man, a
freeman. A field, where, if he loves the gospel, in
which life and Immortality brought to light, he
may be active agent in retaining millions that
are perishing for the lack of vision-not only igno-
rant, but brualized to the lowest point of degrade
ton. Here, in this country, his condition will
be daily getting worse. Should men Of the South
become convinced of the evils of slavery and eman
cpate their slaves to any extent they will be thrown
upon the free States, and in selfdefence prohbtory
laws will be enacted. The question has already
been mooted in Indiana, and many advocates of a
prohibtory clause, against people of color, will be
found in our Convention that is shortly to assemble
A petition to their Convention is now circulating
amongst the people of Ohio, which has been pub
lshed in the newspapers, not only for prohibiting
the emigration of people of color, but for the
val of those already residing in the State This Pc
tition says:
SIN the year 1900 there were 500 negroes in the
States OF Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, but in the wear
1S4S they estimated 30 900 in the State of Ohio
alone. This shows that colored population has
been doubling itself once in every eight years, ratio OF
increase which, if continued for fifty years longer will
give colored population of over two millions of
groes and mixed bloods. These facts alone we think
present matter of much moment for your consideration,
and call for prompt and decided action.
Formerly the emigration of white people this State
was OF equal ratio to that of negroes, but snch we
think longer the case. But on the contrary the
more Western States and Pacific territories now
take away many of white people Eastern EN-.
graton send in But the negroes induced here by oul
recently adopted policy and excessive negro syn1pa
thy in people, flowing in much rapidly thur
ever. Ii then connexion With this state of things
the emigration from Europe should he checked either h,
{ connect itself with the negro sympathy ncces
sarly decrease at least very slow increase
the white population, while the negroes ncreas,
rapidly. To meet these consequences which seem nov
to he inevitable, what shall be dong!
To place the two upon entire equality is al
act at repugnant the order Of nature which
wise Legislature will tolerate ever suffer to be done
To keep them terms of inequality in free State
presents inconsistency with the idea of free nstu
TONS which well be defended and which canno
long be continued when the black population becomes
numerous is about to become. Therefore, in tn
opinion of your petitioners of three things only
possble Either the trhue people must rom III
State and qce up the negroes; races must anal
gansate; or the negroes must be re1noUed."
We have room for comments at present. w
have a firm conviction that, under the Providence,
e of God, much will be done for the African race du
S ring the present generation. We are for something
c practical.