The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-02-28
THE REPUBLIC
From ths Louisoiils Courier.
The Ebony Line.


There are variety OF considerations urging the
establishment Of line of steam vessels between this
country and the coast Of Africa We purpose only
70 glance at them, with the view OF showing the
increasing our steam marine. The proposition
now before Congress, and which has been fasorably
reported upon by the Naval COMMITTEES In the House
Of Representatives., provides for the of the
sels employed ID this liue by the Government, when
required for purposes Of war. Great Britain was
the first to adopt this plan Of connecting the COM
mercial and military marine, go az 70 promote the
interests and meet the wants both, and at the same
time reduce the naval expenses of the Government
and she has practised upon it toa very large extent
having now upwards OF two hundred vessels en-
ployed in carrying on the commerce of the
country, which. II necessity required, she could
at any moment convert into war sleamers.
France, in like manner, has embraced the same
plan, and has some seventy vessels Of that
description. Our own Government has, to very.
limited extent, practised upon the same idea, but
falls far short of what has been done in England
and France. We have not more than fifteen of
these vessels whose service could be commanded
in an emergency. In this point OF view, them il
Is matter OF Importance to increase our naval
force, while we avoid the expense OF keeping up a
large arGlament in time ofpeace. Again, IL is i'm
portanty as means OF increasing our commerce.
The colonization movement upon the coast of frica
is now beginning to deyelope It's importance. A
young republic, modelled after our own, has arisen
upon its shores, and is now seeking position
among the governments of the civilized world.
Already has its existence been formally recognized
by two OF the great European powers, and It will
progress with Increased rapidity, scattering light
and civilization throughout that dark and benight
ed country, developing it's vast resources and open
ing wido door for commerce, which has hitherto
remained closed. The capacity of that country for
agricultural operations is immense and the addi-
tons il is capable Of making to the commerce Of
the world can scarcely be estimated.
If we wish to obtain our due. share in the advan-
tages OF this commerce, we must employ the means
to secure it. Great Britain, ever watchfu OF her
n considerable
with Africa, amounting now TO about twenty -fiye
millions OF dollars per annum. Y
Again, IT 10 OF Importance as a means Of promot-
ing and assisting in the work of African COLOMBIA
tion-a work which is rapidly gaining in public
favor throughout our country One Of the stipula-
tions embraced in the plan proposed is, that the
American Colonization Society is to have the priv
ege Of sending each trip Of either Of tho vessels
OF this line four hundred emigrnns, at the rate OF
ten dollars each for all twelve years of age,
and i've dollars for all under that age Under such
an arrangement, the Society's operations will be
greatly facilitated, while the schcine will be rem
dered more popular with, the free black population
of our country. The increasing prejudice against
this class Of our population, in the non slayehod.
in the former by constitutional prohibitions
against their immigration and in the latter by con-
stitutional restrictions upon the emancipation OF
slaves, except upon provisions made for sending
them out Of the State, is gradually forcing con-
yicton upon the minds of the people OF the neces-
sity Of adopting suitable measures for transport
mem 70 tnc bnOrc8 OF tnclr u1sitc laEu. We
find, accordingly, that many Of the States, while
they feel 1t necessary to protect their own interest,"
by expciling free negroes from their midst, are
moved, by considerations OF humanity, to provide
for them suitable asylum elsewhere. The expo
riment of coonizing them upon the coast of Africa
having met the most sanguine expectations OF the
early friends Of this benevolent enterprise all eyes
are now turned to this means, affording chan
/ mel through which the country may be drained OF
this population, while a home is furnished them,
adapted in every respect to their wants, and the
interest of both races are thus promoted by the
same agency. As valuable auxiliary in carry
ing forward this desirable work, the proposed line
of steamers IL of the highest Importance.
Again. a means of suppressing the African
slave trade, the proposition under consideration is
TO exert greatinfiuencc. We,havc, as nation,
shown detestation of this abominabie traffic,
by the efforts have made, at great cost, to put
a stop to it, keeping up large naval force upon
the coast, with this view. The means we have
tried, although involving great expense, have been
found almost wholly inefficient, inasmuch as II has
been ascertained thata constant traffic is still kept
up between Africa and Cuba and Brazil, of which
hundreds of thousands Of natives are every year
made the victims. The colonization enterprise
has already done more to suppress this inhumnn
traffic than every other and all other efforts
bned; and with every year its power and infiu-
ence becomes greater. Hundreds OF miles of the
coast have been redeemed by purchase, made by
the government of Liberia, over which its protec-
ton Is extended, and from which slavers are now
entirely excluded. II is by means of immigra-
ton from this country that the power and strength
Of the young republic is to be increased ~