Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-03-07
LIBERIA.

A few days ago, we published an interest
ing extract from the annual message of
President Warner, of the African Republic
of Liberia. He gives an encouraging ac-
count Of the condition Of aflairs-a glowing
description of the beauty, fertility and
superintendent fruitfulness of the country
and powerful appeal to the blacks of
America to take under serious consideration
the subject of emigration to their native
cline
1t may be, in the course of time, that this
subject will become Of paramount interest to
the more intelligent negroes of this country.
The most casual observer cannot have failed
to notice unexampled decrease of the negro
population during the war and since its
close. Sickness has been more general, and
the per cent. of mortality much greater
among them than was ever known among
any class in this country. We have, of
course, no detailed statistics on this sub
ject but it cannot be questioned that this
stat rs. PESTS upon fact. The natural ten
dency io'ease and idleness, stimulated by an
imperfect notion of the rights and obligations
incident to freedom.-the discomforts of pow
erty and Representatives. vice and
consequent disease, have combined to make
terrible inroads upon their numbers. An
eminent physician of this city stated to us q
few days ago that for the past three years,
three-fourths of the negro children born
here have died within six months of their
birth, and that a souEd, healthy negro child
is now the exception to the general rule
To the genuine philanthropist, such facts
bring painful forebodings of the ultimate fate
ofthe race. If this process continues it is easy
to foresee that, in a few generations, the ne
gro will become measurably extinct in
America. His true friend and that of Christ
ian humanity will desire to shield and pro-
tect him from such fate The first step in
this direction, without which all others will
fail, is to lead him into the paths of virtue
patient industry and frugal economy. In
this way alone can he obtain and be fitted
for the enjoyment of home, whether as
hireling or householder. In the nursery of
home the excellent virtues of mature man
hood alone have their origin and training.
The family is the foundation of the Common
'rcalih, in all States and among all peoples
and the family is the well-spring of instruc-
ton and training for all the duties and obi
cations of all classes of society, superior or
inferior
While the former master Of the Negro is
at issue with the Freedmen's Bureau, and
his false friends are struggling to place him
in condition where he cannot work, and
where he has no business, he receives no aid,
and is swiftly passing away. Generally
speaking, without regard TO the Bureau, the
people Of the South are eager to give them
all the advantages other people are entitled
TO by reason of patient industry and faithful
services, The true interest of the negro can
alone be subserved and promoted, therefore,
by protecting him in his rights of person and
property and letting him alone He will
then learn his necessities and duties. But,
If he is continued as the object of strife and
contention among politicians, he will be ac-
tolerated in his doom. And il win soon be-
come serious and pressing inquiry whether
he shall not accept the invitation of Liberia,
and seek safety from remorseless extinction
in his fatherland.