Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-10-30
From the Cincinnati Gazettel
The Republic of Liberia.


There may be and is a diversity of opinion about Al.
riean colonization as a means Tor the gradual extinction
OF slavery in the United States. There can be none
however, upon the fact that a Christian Republic has
been founded upon the coast of Africa, which promises
important consequences to that ~benighted continent and
the world.
Liberia proclaimed herself an independent Republic
in IS47. There is nothing in her history or condition to
raise a doubt of her stability among the nations of the
Earth. Her independence is recognized by England,
France and the United States. Ii as compared with
those powers or the civilized States of Europe, she has
little means of protection and defence, she is exempt
from dangers of foreign collision and aggression, and
has little need OF them. No one can ontemplat the
struggles of that colony of emancipated slaves upon the
coast whence their ancestors were carried IN the holds
OF slave ships, their present prosperous condition, and
the relation which they sustain TO the continent on
which they are planted. without feeling a deep interest
IN the growth and development OF this nation in embryo.
The Liberian colonists have organized and established
a free Christian commonwealth, with all the requisite
machinery Of government and institutions OF civilization
They have ports, custom house, and shipping, schools,
churches, and social Institutions suited TO their wants
and calculated TO promote their welfare. They possess
a country OF great fertility and resources, and varied
products. In the exchange of their tropical produc-
tons for the merchandise of other countries, they have
the elements OF a commerce which may one day rival
that of the West Indies. At the same time the CONN.,
try is permanently inhabited by no other race, but be-
longs to the African alone. They are secure, there
lore, from %conquests prompted by the cupldity OF other
nations.
Liberia embraces about 500 miles Of sea coast, be.
tween the fourth and eighth degrees of north lalitude ;
its colonial population is about 1000; the native popula.
ton within its territory, under their protection and in
huence, and so accessible to missionary efforts, is esti-
mated at from 200, 900 to $50 900. The settlement of
Liberia may be dated from about 1922, though attempts
to establish a settlement on the coasts had been made
for two or three previous years.
President ROBERTS, formerly a Virginia slave has
proved HIMSELF man of sound sense and sagacity, well
qualified to discharge in a creditable manner, the duties
devolvng on him as the Chief Magistrate Of the infant
republic.
Thus, in about thirty years has the problem of celo-
nizing Africa by Africans heen solved. The possibility
of the undertaking is demonstrated its actual success
is hardly a matter of question. The great obstacles
have been overcome. Those which remain are less for.
midable, and will be encountered with greater means
and more confident hopes. The whole amount expended
on the Colony in this thirty years is stated at about one
million two hundred and fifty thousand dollars; a little
more, perhaps, than the cost of a fTst-rate ship-ol-the-
line, in building equipment and armament. A trifing
sum, when the magnitude of the results accomplished
by 1t are considered.
We do not see how any rejecting person, looking at
what has been effected in so short a period, from feeble
and disheartening beginnings, with means apparently
inadequate to any great enterprise of the sort, against
difficulties and p~rejudices not easily overcome, can doubt
the ultimate success of the Liberian Colony, or can feel
anything less than a deep interest in her growth and
prosperity. The undertaking was one of great magni-
tude it has been begun, and is now going on with au.
spices betokeninQ success.