The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-09-09
African Civilization.

+ A vast continent has waited upon the agencies
OF civilization for share in those blessings it
fers; the of waiting at length is passed, and
the time for action has begun. And how very re-
markahle is the character of that action, and how
noble the purpose it contemplatcs. Never in the
history Of the world has similar event commanded
the admiration of mankind. II is without prece
dent and can have no parallel.
Africa, which has supplied the civilized world
with mental service, seems at length about to DO
honored as no country has ever been before. The
! work of colonization, wherever il has been con-
| Quoted heretofore, has always been commenced
with prospect of etriic; IL has almost invariably
contemplated the subuga ton of an aboriginal race
| by force of arms, their expulsion, extinction.
| The exceptions have been partial and rare. Such
a cause for Instance that of Penn stands out in
prominent relief upon the page Of colonial history;
but even the philanthropy of Penn insufficient
for its purpose he could not prevent the expulsion
bf the Indians, and the Anglo Saxon occupies
HE place Colonial history has involved
! enormous expenditure Of wealth, health and hui
man life, and, according TO the best excuse Of hu-
man judgment by the standard Of the times. una
yoidably
! The great colonial project Of our day is that
which relates 10 the continent Of Africa, and in its
details it exhibits most admirable and striking
contrast with all that have preceded il, The colo
nisis il il proposed % put upon ts COASTS arc the
civilized Defendants of those who were snatched
from their native soil, IN condition OF barbarsn,
and carried into slavery. la restoring them to the
land of their forcathers IL is not with arms in their
hands 10 subduc 10 cXpel the present occupants
Of the soil There is no physical warfare 20 insti-
tutc against antagonism Of blood. On the con
trary the only warfare to tie anticipated IL that OF
mind with mind; encounter Of civilization with
bar barisn, under the auspices Of natural kindred.
IL is the reality Of the fable Of Valentine and Orson,
i'm which the former has only 10 the stratagem
dictated by fraternal love, and his blOodless
quest is cure. The weapons are those of ciyza-
! ton and christianity; and never was there time
f,ofr talf If epfftf
ually employed. The industrial arts enjoy the
benefits of science IN wonderful degree; agricul-
ture is learning thrift from enlarged berality and
commerce POSSESSES the means and appliances Of
steam by which she measures the pathways Of
the great deep, and times her ocean trips by the
hour.
II il at this era Of the worlds career and under
these auspices, that the American people have en-
tered upon the great and glorious project Of Arican
| redemption. work, whose design sanctiies tho
expenditure Of every dollar that be judiciousy
applied for its promotion, and demands the genial
| sympathies Of every true son Of humanity. To
what extent socyer the growth and success OF the
enterprise may contribute to our monumental advan-
tages, it, claims upon our cooperation are incon-
/ tcstaby genuine. The work IL one Of which the
nature Of the end can be understood from the be-
ginning, altbough its grandeur can perhaps be only
ecby conceived. II requires in its earliest stages
the confidence, the cheerful aid, the generous cup
| port and the patient expectation Of the civilized
/ world. And We should be niggards, indeed, IL in
view Of the object to be attained, we would with
hold these; while history would throw up, from the
vain records Of the past, her reprOaches against ms.
Let us but glance at the story Of the crusades and
think upon the vast expenditure OF wealth and life
freely lavishcd in such superstous services for the
attainment Of visionary purpose. For three cen
turtles has that stupcndous power, incorporated IN
der the name Of the East India Company, struggled
with varying success, and at the most inordinate
sacrifice Of human life, for the Advancement of ex
| cusively selfish and sordid schemes. And shall
VIC hesitate to accept opportunity, which Provi.
donce Ia. opened before us, 10 rescue continent
from the degradation Of heathensm, and provide
an attractive and perpetual asylum for that race,
| helplcssy depressed in the social economy OF our
vcxcd and troubled landy
The project, 10 will be observed. embraces two
results, both Of which alike benevolent in their
design. One Il 20 effect the redemption OF tho
present tribes Of Africa from barbarism, and to in
troduce them TO the enjoyment Of civilization The
other IL 20 induce such flow OF emigration on the
part Of the free colorcd people Of America into Az
RIGA ne will relieve this country from the incon-
venionco aud Generalization consequent upon the
social disestcem they everywhere experience here,
and at the same time place them in position
where neither natural nor conventional distinctions
erist 20 curb the spirit Of ambition, or TO Obstruct
the labors OF the boldcst enterprise. The latter il
will be observed in the order Of events, must take
precedence Of the former; for while both are con
templated by the advocates Of colonization, one Is
looked for az the result Of the other. Under the
present instrumcntaiities aud inducements, the
work Of African colonization has been slow and
costly; but the season for past effort has been the
Hfst staBe OF N gTanu oc3lgns Wnlth VIII BinnuallJ
develop Inean5 and energies adequate to its fulfil
ment TO what extent the proposed system oil
steam communication before Congress may tend
to the removal Of the coored from this CONT.
nent is varousy coniecturod by different individ-
uals who have the Same data upon which to rect
their opinions. Upon this point we shall take o
future opportunity 60 advance some views OF our
own, though it ia 20 be denied that tho absercc
Of all precedent leaves opinion With no higher char
acter than that Of conjecture in any cesc.
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