The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-24


interior towns of Africa with whom we have had in
teroourse, either personally, by letter, by pub
lished accounts, Coincide without exception,
important particular, namely, that the natives Of
that vast continent exhibit remarkable degree of
genius, and display in their numerous manufac-
tured articles such knowledge Of mechanics as to
agrceably surprise all who have heard OF or been
privileged TO behold their handiwork.
By statement Of the Rev. Mr.. Walker Mis-
sonary of the American Board, G. +. M, at the
Gaboon, a large town Just below the equator-and
who has lately given TO the public brief descrip.
ton of his recent visit to the neghboring kings and
their subectsit appears that the Africans, although
long debased by the bghting effects Of heathenisIn,
MahomedanisIn, and the evils and atrocities of the
accursed slave trade, are susceptible Of change to
the truth, by the powerful example Of christianity
and civilization.
This fact has been, and now 10 being, fully veri-
ied by their improved condition in every respect,
especially of the native tribes in the republic OF Lii
IBERIA, and by thousands of others not yet under its
jurisdiction, but to whom good influence has gone
forth. Very many Of the original Africans are
daily relinquishng their former modes of life, and
are becoming more and more accustomed to the
means Of civilization, and are rapidly and anxious
ly following in the paths indicated by the Christian
light set UPON hill, as il wereby the citizens OF
that young nation.
II our readers have any desirc to follow out these
thoughts, by examining some of the products Of
these rude, untutorcd people, they will meet witha
kind reception on calling at the Colonization rooms,
walnut street above Sixth, where, IN addition TO
numerous specimens Of art and skill, may be seen
various objects of natural history from Africa; and
a large collection of portraits, engravings, &c.
Iron ore is found in Africa in immense quanti-
ties and from it made, by the untaught natives,
various ornamental and useful articles, such as
spears, arrows, knives, armlets eglets bracelets,
&c. small but regular amount Of this important
material, made into a peculiar shape, is called
'bar," and appears to be the standard of value by
which their currency is regulated They
ceedingly skiliul in the tanning and manufacture
of leather.
Thar amulet cases smear and da oper abeaths
whips, brides, pouches, powder TASKS, sandals.
&c, made OF this material with remarkable
neatness They also manufacture their own cotton
cloths, and dye with indigo and other vegetable
dyes and have the art OF permanently fixing the
colors they employ. In addition to these may be
named, as evidences Vi their industry, their war
horns, made from the tusks of elephants and other
animals; their musical instrunentsthe strings OF
the "banjo'' beng formed from fbres of trees
Their for table use, bags for carrying various
materials, and baskets of all sizes and descriptions
are wrought with great symmetry and beauty from
grass, and the leaves of their innumerable and
useful trees, plants, &c. The palm tree, says
traveller, sis applied by them to three hundred
and sixty five uses. Hats are matched with palm
leaves; its ibres used for fishing tackle; rough
cloth ID made from the inner bark; the fruit is
roasted and is excellent; the oil for butter
the palm wine is a favorite drink"
The native African, il is ~ be understood, is nat
urally INDECENT and although the various articles Of
labor here mentioned would perhaps convey the i'm
precision that they industrious people, yet the
contrary Is the fact.
What u market is here opened for the sale of our
manufactured Who can rightly calculate the
amount of employment it would afford the opera
tiyes and workmen Of our own land to clothe her
600 600 OF inhabitants, and the enormous trade
which she could afford in the luxuries, and what
consider the necessaries of life from her prolific
tropical soil!
Well might the poet, speaking Of Africa, ex
claim:
"Regions immense unsearchable, unknown,
Bask in the splendors OF the solar zone;
A world of wonders-where creation seems
No more the works of nature, but her dreams"
*"They use none but native iron Of their own
manufacture, and it is Of the inest quality. Many
Of their knives ring like cast steel. and flaw
other mperfection can be discovered in them. They
will not accept imported iron a present, for they
do not consider it worth carrying home. brought
away numerous specimens OF their iron."
wM.C.
NasLpiHe Conventions at the South, and ABOLITION
Ercitsments at the North! How little do they affect
the onward course of this great republic! Eddios
and ripples in the tide-how soon they are alb
sorbed in the mighty current which, knowing "no
retiring cbb, still keeps due on, charging as it
goes, ''strong without rage, without overfiowing
full, !" and bearing upon its bosom destiny in COM
parison with which the fortunes Of Cesar are no
more than the theme of nursery tale! With what
ever freedom or fppancy men in any part OF the
Union politicians, enthusiasts, fanatics, others,
may indulge in talk concerning the unity of this
republic and the facility with which it may be dis
integratod, they would be very apt, If they should
embody their ideas and purposes of dissolution in
overt act, to find themselves confronted by one
of the sternest and most terrhc realities that ever
frowned upon treason. In the mean time, the talk
docs little HARM Baltimore american.
Truer words were never uttered. This American
Union has strength which few seem properly to
appreciate, and which will never be fully under
stood until the formidable front of
con shall threaten its destruction The Union is
strong in the affections OF the great mass OF the
American people, and still stronger in the necessi
ties and inevitable tendencies of social and national
existence. There laws Of life higher than paper
constitutions, and more binding than solemn con-
tracts and by them this Union will stand ii every
thing else should fail The United States have a
destiny to fulfil among the nations Of the earth.
That fact, and that purpose arc deeply implanted
in every American heart. All sections, and all
classes share the courage and the determination to
which they give birth. Every American, at the
North and at the South, consciously minimizing
ly, that this Republic shall go in the high
career which il has already made such unparsl
leed progress; and he knows that Union Is the first
necessity, the thing essential TO its accomplish
ment. No paltry questions Of sectional interest,
Of sectional feeling, will ever be permitted 10 put
its existence in serious peril. The people, more
over, and understand the hollowness OF the APP
prehensions that are felt or feigned by politicians
on this subject. All the disunion feeling in the
country IL in the minds Of politicians or fanatics
men who seek their selfish ends at any cost, or
who lack the judgment TO perceive the real ends at
which they aim.
For the last six months the whole country has
been made 10 ring with talk of disunon. IL has
done harm TO the Union itself-it has rather for
tilted and strengthened il in the hearts Of the
American people. But IL has not been wholly in
nocuous. II has fulfilled, to some extent, the pur
poses OF those who have uttered it. II has formed
the convenient cover for designs and plans which
they dare not bring forward without cover Of some
kind. IL has been used 90 tcrrify the hmid-to
misead the weak, and 10 coerce the credulous into
measures against which their judgment and sense
Of justice would have revolted IL has produced a
temporary ehect-created temporary alarm in
the minds of upright and devoted men, whose pa
triotism easily takes alarm, and who seek, in
any device, and in any degree Of concession, eg-
cape from dangers that seem, TO their tmid imagi-
nations, impending and momcntous. In this way
il has done harm.
This talk, moreover, about disunion, and the
measures that have been pressed upon the country
under of IL, have Dasfiy incrsased the anti
slavery feeling iH The northern States. We believe
this 10 be fact which will demonstrate itself in
due time. IL has awakened new jcalousics, i'm
planted new distrust, and created new sensitive
mesa upon the subject Of slavery among northern
men Scores thousa nds of men at the North, who