Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1854-11-18
SOCIETY AND MANNERS IN LIBERIA

The Tribune contains a letter from n correspOn-
ent in Liberia, which we have no doubt reveals the
true state Of society and manners in the Model
"African Republic" of American Missionaries.
The writer is an American enigrant. with six
months residence in the Republic, a minister, and
as it seems by his own testimony, n social reform
err, who is interested in civilizing and Christianiz-
the heather Africans. lie seems, even to have
commenced his system Of social reform, by adj
vancing his young men to the privilege of roceiv-
ing wages, wearing clothing, and eating with
knives and forks, at the Hil table, for which start
ling innovations upon Liberian customs, he is hero
ically awaiting a martyrs fate.
After speaking of the acclimatine fever, which
the writer says much resembles our American
chill fever and which very few escape, (Which some
persons take at the expiration Of one week, some
at the cud of two, three, five or six, and others ut
the end Of as many months. Some regard them
selves as acclimatcd in six or nine months, or Il
year, and the majority not till they have been
here from two to four and six years"
Here is the writer's picture Of society as it is in
Liberia. They have evidently been apt scholars
under their aristocratic teachers in America.
He says;
CAS- far as ! am able to learn in my short expert
encc OF six months, society may be divided into
three classes the intelligent, respectable, wealthy
and refined the poor respectable laboring class.
into which Oh account Of circumstances an inferior
class link themselves, and the native population
consisting Of several tribes, rs Congoes, Ebocs.
Nics, Pessa, Goulah, DC. The first, for the most
part, came here poor, but Intelligent and respect
able, and having engaged in trade with the natives
and in foreign commerce, have made themselves
comparatively wealthy. They are very conscryn-
,;ro +nro,inpc nf ilcir ouciopt r;-Its, oA1 ~,
old landmarks. And perhaps it is well for the
young republic that they have been so. For hay
ing the power to control ali other classes beneath
them, ambitious schemes and hasty measure.
might have thrown them Into Il state of d~csrolisup
or anarchy, and brought them under tie protection
of some foreign power. Their freedom has In.
spircd them with the desire and necessity Of culti-
waiting the intellect, and this they have done to m
extent that they would not have uspircd to under
their oppression in America. From these arc Sc.
.lected the government. They hold all the Offices
of power and influence, and have taken some pains
to qualify themselves for such positions. Buthay-
ing had no opposition till some recent Northern
intruders came here TO find a home, and having
kept all matters of state, agriculture and com.
merce safe in nearly the same place, they have been
apparently satisfied if they only took care that the
republic receive no detriment. From this state o!
things has arisen a new party calling themselves
Anti Administrationists consisting Of n different
class of mcn with different measures. They possess Il
large share ofthe Hlenta and wealth Of the commuui-
tn. Whether they are safe and iudicious leaders and
citizens remains to be seen. AS | know but little
about their politics, AMI have not sufficiently stud.
led their men, principles and measures, | have
nothing to do with either party or any matters Of
State. This first class OF citizens Though not pro
gressiyc in the American sense OF the term have
more of the spirit Of reform and progress than is
exhibited III the other classes. But this | suppose
is only because the other CLASSES have felt them.
. SolvoS n,nraSsnl and Iisrnurorol md u,t;I I,t,l.
no one has dared to lead them, and thus have slum.
bercd their will uncXercised and daring thoughts
suppressed. But the absolute necessity Of radical
reforms in all the departments of State, the .oprn.
ing OF roads into the interior, harb0r, river and
other internal Improvements, is so glaring, and 5,
imperativcly necessary for the present and future
! safety and happiness of community, that the pcu
: pie have decrGcd that since they cannot compel the
lexisting administration to do it Il new one must BIZ
elected that will. The ladies of this class vii
compare well with some Of the first, but mainly
with the middle classes in the States. They are
graceful in manners, intelligent in conversation,
: and writing and constantly improving, by means
of private classes in the sciences, institute lectures
. &c. And notwi!hi tanding they are generally well
! instructed in the grammar OF cur language, many
Of them, from chuicc or habit, use certain inGccu.
= rate phrases peculiar to ccrtain CLASSES in the south.
ern States. But III this MS well ms in their better
language they are very happy and graceful, boti
' As to style and expression. With this first class
j the profession of religion is almost universal. Ia
, this, as in morals, they resemble (ns far MS one can
: see who is not behind the scenes the first settler.
5 in New England, while Mt the same time their gen,
e eral treatment of the natives, and the avaricious
| ness Of many of them in matters of business
I seem wholly inconsistent with both Of these vir
: tues"
? The writer draws a parallel between the fortune.
V of Liberia and those of Puritan New England, il
which he ascribcs the preference to the latter, anl
!, asks:-
"And why is this? Because we never have hal
Il fair start and because, when we began tn
march of nations we had none of the weapons o
IS science and art. The same sun shines here glori
ously, and the same silyery moon beams on gu
glowing waters rs in more northern climes. TIL
Idusky tribes of llam-children of a burning zone
paddle their light canoes upon our rivers and basI
ut MONDAY in the meridian sun. Trees, fruits an
Towering shrubs flourish without the hand of GU
e ture. These and the shady tribes are all native
of this tOrrid zone. But woe be to us, if we dar
lave as freely in their waters or brave the fury q
of their scOrching sun. We are an eXOti
o plant, o~ffsprings of Il foreign cline. As soon a
we dare to tread the shores we must battle wit
u disease for months, and when we have passed til
fiery ordeal, and conquered the enemy, we hay
well nigh exhausted every Cner " of mind an
4 body. With thsse shattered wrecks, destitute c
a means, we are expected to conquer the land, t
v PROSTATE the forests, and compel the earth to di.
u gorge its illimitable stores of hidden treasure,
This we cannot DO alone for ages. We are withou
capital and means. The mountain is lofty, tn
. path is steep and winding, lions beset our path Il
IS every step, and we are without weapons for delenc
or advance
The hospitality and benevolcnco Of these pee
If pie is of n practical, kind, and in this they are a
free and liberal, as any people | have ever seer
l. The miscrery and Indebtedness of the hundreds {
destitute slaves, sent to these shores is no evidenc
5 10 the contrary for it would be Il matter Of impoi
sibility for them to sustain or even expect to It
iicye such a mass Of wrCtchednGss and dGstitutio
II without suicide Of themselves. Besides this, thcs
poor people are generally all sent up the river
reside beyond tho reach of their charity. Th
~ middle class are generally employed us laborcrs i
> various capacities, or as small merchants, three
cent traders and spectators. They have no cap
tai to farm with, and many if they had the near
N would be too lazy. Some Of them having been