The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1852-08-07
MIS- ELL A N NE0 . S.
Liberia,

The following letter, (says the New
York Tribune) written by an intelligent
and respectable colored man, who left
this city for Liberia in October, 1851,
was addressed 10 colored friend Of his
in this city. As he might have objec-
tions TO giving his name TO the public,
it is withheld, but the original will be
left for few days at the office of the
New York State Colonization Society,
to satisfy any one who may have the
curiosity to call and read ii:
MoNRoyIA, Aprir7, 1852.
" With respect to this country, my ex-
pectations are more than realized. ]
have found the opinion formed of
Liberia while in America was very
nearly correct. This country is cer-
tainly most beautiful one, and the eli
mate delightful have often thought,
since my arrival here, how the better
class of colored people, or at least
great portion of them, would flock to
Liberia If they only knew the real con-
dition of the country and people. |
always thought that il was their ignor-
ance of the country that caused their
opposition to it, but now | am convinced
Of that fact. With regard to the United
States having claims on Liberia, I would
ask if England, Prussia, France and
Brazil would acknowledge her inde-
pendence if the United States had any
right TO or claim on the country? Eng
land has made this government a pre-
sent of small armed schooner, and has
a consul residing here. Brazil has also
a minister here, but of higher grade
than consul-he is charged d'affaires.-
These facts are, | think, sufficient to
convince any reasonable person that
Liberia is really an independent repub-
lie, and that the United States has no
claims to this country. There is kind
of blind prejudice which keep most
colored people from coming to this
country, and for the life of me cannot
conceive why this prejudice exists; for
in the United States we are exposed to
all kinds of insults from the whites,
which, in nearly every case, we dare
not resent; whereas in this country we
are all equal, and can enjoy the shade
of our own vine and fig tree without
even the fear of molestation. In the
United States we are considered the
lowest of the low, for the most con-
aemptible white man is better in the
eyes of the law, and in the opinion of
the majority of the whites, than the
best colored man; whereas, on the other
hand, in this country there is no dis
inction of color, no mans complexion
is ever mentioned as reproach to him,
and furthermore every one has an equal
chance and right of filling any office
in the government that they may be
qualified to fill. Liberia ought to be
fhe most interesting country Ito the
oolored people in the United States) in
the world, from the fact that it is the
only republic entirely composed of and
governed by colored people, and it is
the only country where colored man
can enjoy liberty, equality and frater-
nifty without having to encounter the
prejudice of the whites, which exists,
more or less, in some degree, in every
country where the whites predominant.
If this prejudice ever dies away, l be-
7lieve that many generations yet unborn
viii have passed away before it. AL
though this country offers many induce
ments to colored people, yet it is not
paradise; it has few unpleasant fea-
iures, owing principally to its being
new country. The most unpleasant
feature that / know of is the acclimating
fever, and that is far from being as bad /
as most people in the United States
think tits. On account of the improve
tnenss made in the country, such as
eleering and so forth, it is much more
healthy here than formerly, and also
the kind Of treatment better adapted to
che soclimating fever is better known.
45o scclimaiing fever is nothing more
than . simple chill and fever, and per-.