American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-11-06
African Colonization.

For centuries-from the earliest period known
to history, indeed-the great body of the Afri-
can continent has been terra nacognita-an
unknown region-shut out from the rest of the
world and secluded as it were within impassa-
BILE barriers. Egypt and the Barbary States
the latter being known as the Nunidia, the
Lydia and the Mauritania of the Romans, famil-
iarized to history by the crimes and exploits of
Jugurtha, and as being the theatre of the opening
greatness of the two powerful rivals, Marius and
Sylla-those portions of Africa bordering on the
Mediterranean, and those only, have been in
| cluded in the annals of human knowledge and
| transactions. The bold enterprises of modern
commerce which have dared so much and pene-
trated go far have failed in their attempts
upon Africa. The interior has never been
reached in any manner calculated to open or to
establish intercourse. 1t is for colonization to
accomplish what commercial enterprise has not
succeeded in achieving. A foothold is now Sc
cured upon that vast continent, and a gateway
is opened through which the unknown reeesses
of the interior may be visited. Nor is the in
teresting nature Of this contemplation lessened
when we behold in these colonists on this Afri-
can coast the descendants Of the native Africans
returned from bondage which was to them a
school of discipline, and which has qualified
them to be the ministers and heralds of civil
Ration to their race, now and for centuries con-
signed to a most degrading servitude at home.
Nowhere has the negro improved SO much as in
the United States, under the relations of SER
vice which bound him to a master from whom
he could learn. Every year of his residence
here has been year of progress. The whole
race has thrived in the midst of civilized com
munity, in which they held an humble yet
harmonious position, making profitable ex-
change of their labor for instruction and pro-
lection.
When, in the order Of events, this relation is
to be changed, how admirably is manifested the
wise overruling of Providence in directing the
footsteps of the emancipated negroes to the
land of their forefathers, bearing with them
the elements of culture and the rudimcnts of
religion-the best of missionaries the most eff
ficient Of teachers! The climate of Africa, IA
tai to the white man, is salubrious to the sons
Of the sable race it is like wall of fire TO
keep the domineering Caucasian from intruding
upon land which Nature seems to hold re-
served for one special portion Of the human
family.
The commerce of Africa, now in its infancy,
is destined, we doubt not, to great extension
and with commerce and its extension the growth
and progress Of colonization will 20 hand in
hand. Each will aid the other The project of
n line Of steamers to run between our Southern
ports and the western coast of Africa, as pro-
posed by Mr.. Stanton in the last Congress, will
not be suffered to die away, we may be sure.
The cause Of Colonization requires the establish
ment of such a line, and the cause is important
enough now and strong enough to make its re-
QUESTIONS needed. 1t can speak for itself and
claim to be heard. 1t holds forth the problem
of slavery in this country, and avows its ability
to solve it-and its declarations on this point |
are words of truth and soberness, and rs such |
they are belicyed.-BaH 1hierican.