The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-08-01

The STEAM LINE ArRIcA.-The Richmond
Republican publishes the following article on the
subject of line of steamers to Africa. II is one Of
deep interest and should not be allowed to fail of
accomplishment in consequence of proper encour-
agement on the part of the friends of coonization
in all sections of the country The hope s INDUCED
that, at the coming session of Congress, prompt
and decisive measures will be taken for the esab-
Slishment Of the contemplated line:
"We trust that the friends OF African colonial
ton and OF southern commerce will keep their eyes
steadily fixed upon the plan of establishing line
Of steamers to Africa These steamers should sail
from the southern ports, in which are collected the
great body of the free colorcd people The removal
of this class Of the population would be but one OF
the benefits which the establishment of such line
would confer. II would open to the richest COM
mercial relations with Africa. The vessels might
take out the products of our factories, and the
merous articles of every description which are in
demand in Liberia, for trade with the natives.
They might bring back ivory, gold dust, oil, cof-
fee, lemons, oranges, lines, and other tropical pro-
auctions. To strengthen Liberia is the surest way
to open to the commerce OF Africa Let us enable
her to open roads into the interior as far prac-
ticable. 1t is believed that by prudent and ener
getic effort the whole trade Of the river Niger and
the valley of Timbuctoo would be thrown through
Liberia into the bands of American merchants
"Nothing can exceed the variety and value Of the
productions of Liberia Sugar cane grows rapidly.
Cotton is native plant. Corn and hemp flourish
there in great perfection. Oranges, coffee, wild
wood, and rosewood, abound there. Mules, oxen,
coarse wool sheep hogs, fowls, horses, and goats.
are found in great abundance. Here is rich
temptation to commerce, and strong inducement
to emigration. In fact, if the free negroes do not
embrace this opportunity Of advancing their
fortunes, we should not be surprised to the
white men establishing colony the African
coast, and appropriating to themselves the spos of
the golden harvest.
"But, as we have before said, we believe that the
free negroes would be much more willing TO emf
CRATE il there established easy, regular, and
short mode of reaching their destination. By the
present mode Africa seems such long way off
that it appears TO them going out of the world.
The introduction of steam between the two CONT
ncnts would amount to cutting off at least two
thirds of the distance. Establish line of steamers,
build up the commercial enterprise Of Liberia, and
we doubt not that the free blacks would be eager
to remove. The effort ought to be made, if for no
other object than the advantages of American com
merce. And emigration would follow the rapid
and direct intercourse which steam would estab-
lsh.
awe trust that southern men will consider these
suggestions. The various non slaveholding States
are, one after another, closing their doors against
the free blacks. What is to become of them?
Where they to go' Happily, in the case of
African colonization, the dictates of humanity and
ofinterest combine, and both point to the coast of
Africa"