Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-03-13
Written for the Eastern Times.
The Republic of Liberia.

Written for the Eastern Times.
The Republic Of Liberia.
This young but thriving community, already
extends its sway over about 700 miles of the
western coast of Africa, and its influence far
into the interior; and it may at this moment be,
unquestionably, considered AZ presenting to the
christian philanthropi,t, the advocate of hui
man progress and equal rights, or the champi-
on of civil and religious liberty and popular
government, with all the corresponding inn
provements in social order and happiness, the
BRIGHTEST SPOT, any where to be found in
the whole Eastern Hemisphere.
As an incipent mart of a commerce TO which
we can give no bounds,- AS an organized me-
dium of the popular diffusion of practical SCI
ence, literature and general knowledge AS an
example of well adjusted fabric of popular
government and civil institutions, spontaneous
ly emenating from, and adapted to the people
as a well regulated moral and religious COM
mnnity, and missionary station, towards
which multitudes are beginning TO look as the
point from which they are to derive the bene-
fits of civilization and christianity in all these
points Of light, and perhaps others might be ad-
ded by its more intimate friends, we believe
that the claims of LIBERIA to the above distinc-
ton, cannot be disputed.
We repeat fake the present aspect of this
young Republic as reported by those who
have had the best opportunity of judging
and we have from his own lips, the tes-
timony of one of our venerable and veteran
Naval Commanders, who taving been ordered
by government to visit Liberia respectfully
assured us, he could say that, in his whole
life he had no where before witnessed so
pleasing evidence of the general prevalence of
good morals attended with so pervading a
sphere of sober piety,-to which may be added
the testimony of many others,-taking these
reports in connexion with her past history and
the hopes and confidence which recent events
have tended to inspire, and there will appear
no extravaganza in saying that, on that side Of
the water, from the British Isles in the west, to
those Of Japan in the east, no spot can be found
so pregnant with the rich benefits of civil and
religious liberty unadultcred and SO radient
with hopeful promise for the future.
How interesting the fact, that, while the
population of Europe is focking by thousands
to the shores of America here to find the pos
sibility Of subsisting together with opportunity
for free human developments on the other
hand, America is returning to Africa, her sons
fully imbued with the principles of civil and
religions liberty, and trained to practice OF
the useful arts and commerce, with some quail
fcations for establishing for themselves civil
and religious institutions. The oppression
which is driving from Europe some of her
most energetic sons, that they may, in Ameri-
ca, add to the vigor of re-acting power-the
power of light and of sympathy produced by
examples-by which the sources of that op-
preston will eventually be undermined, and
adding another proof ofthe self-destroying pow
er Of evil while, on the other hand, the cruel
injustice which has for over two centuries been
heaped upon the African race, has, under the
hand of a wise and bene6cent Providence, been
secretly preparing the elements and the instru-
ments, by which alone the rescue of Africa
from barbarism and wretchedness can be expec-
ted. In all this, how manifes,ly do the selfish
designs of men run counter to those of Divine
Providence, and add proof of the impotence Of
human prudence in comparison with the over
ruling and unerring power for good, of that
Providence.
In the progress of human events, we are not
usually permitted to see the hand of benef-
cent Ruler of universe until those events have
passed by, but patient faith in the guardian
care of this government should quiet all our
disturbance by the inauspicious aspect which
events may assume for the moment, and this
faith will be most efficaciOusto to unveil His face,
and show to us good in all He permits. We
look with just indignation, abhorrence and grief
upon the enormities practiced in prosecuting
the African slave trade as no,D existing and
if we contemplate the history of that nefarious
traffic, from its origin under the express sane
ton of Christianity, as it then existed, we are
ready to hide onr heads with shame and dis
gust that, not two centuries ago, all the light
possessed by our christian ancestors was not
adequate to teach them that the stealing, en-
shaving and selling their fellow men was !
sin against the Parent of all. sa