The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-12-25
Colonization of American Negroes In
Liberiu.

II is probable that many persons in the
Nor'hern States suppose that Colonization is
now at an end, under the idea that the
changed condition of the black race IN the
South renders emigration no longer desirable.
The fact, however, is very much otherwise.
The negro migration to Liberia has been re-
newed, aud greater numbers are going out
than ever before. As to the motire for 90
ing the emigrants themselves know what
their motives are, and-in one way OF stating
the case-they are altogether the best judges
of what is the most desirable course for them
to pursue under the present changed condi-
tion of affairs IN the South. Right or wrong,
they are going by hundreds, men, women and
children. Besides the large emigration which
went from near Lynchburg, Virginia, in 1896,
sir hundred sailed from Charleston, South
Carolina, in the Colonization Societys ship
Golconda, in May last, and three hundred
and t,uelre more sailed in the same ship from
| the same port on the 18th of November. In
ALL 1851 emigrants have gone out within the
last fifteen months.
In respect to the merely material question
of immediate and comfortable subsistence,
these emigrants, it would seem. may be con-
graduated in view of the distressing accounts
we are now receiving by every days newspa-
pers, and reiterated in Congressional debate,
Of the suffering in which the Southern peo-
pie, white and black, are now involved by
the extremely low price of cotton. The crop
of the year has not paid the cost of produc-
tion. There is no surplus with which to pro-
cure subsistence, or to encourage the employ
ment of labor upon another crop.
The Colonization Society secures six
months provision to all emigrants, and all
are furnished with land as fertile as any in
the world. Frank Simpson, who went out in
May from Charleston, wrote back to his sister
in August
Give my love to the people Of the planta-
tion, AMI tell them if they can get to Liberia
they must come, for Liberia is a country
where man can make a support by working
half his time. Coffee grows all over the
woods. Cotton grows here into tree. The
sugar cane grows here larger than have
ever seen. Potatoes grow all the time. !.
have long heard Of Liberia, but now see
| it, and will say, positively, that Liberia is
| one of the best countries in the world.
In respect to the migrating party, 312 in
number, which went from Charleston in No
yember last, the Daily News of that city
| says
They were mostly families from southwest
ern Georgia and were of all ages, many chill
| dren being among the number. They were
| apparently well supplied with money, and
many OF them took out an abundance OF
clothes, provisions and planting utensils, with
which to commence operating on their ex-
peeted farms. They We're all in high spirits,
| and visions of future prosperity in their new
homes were dancing before their eyes. As a
| general thing, the emigrants were well dress
| Ell and appeared to be superior to the COM
mon field hands; they had evidently studied
the subject and had fully determined to sun
der the ties which connected them with this
country, and seek home on African soil.
Seventy-seven of these are said by the
Colonization Societys Journal to be church
communicates; forty lone Of these can read
and twenty-one both read and WRITE The
Journal adds, "This company is above the
average ofthe colored population in worldly
substance and intelligence. They go volun-
tarily and without drumming or temptation.
except that of their own spontaneous prompt
ing and matured conviction that they can bet
ter their condition"
The same Journal adds: "Never in the
history of the Society have so many pressing
appeals come to it for passage and settle
ment in Liberia. In addition to companies
OF from fifty to one hundred persons, offering
from different points, applications have been
raeoiva6 II, hoha lf of tlro
E, Alabama, and six hundred at c.,
Georgia, who desire TO emigrate under the
auspices of the Society in May, 1868"
No rejecting person expects that all the
black population of the South will go to Afri-
ca. What is wanted is, that enough of them
may go to aid in establishing a tolerably
strong and prosperous negro nationality in
and enough of them to convince the white
population of the South that the negro has
an option and resource-to stay here and
devote his industry to the restoration of that
section, if he is decently respected and pro-
| tected-otherwise, to go elsewhere and look
out for himself. The moment it is thorough
ly understood by the white race in this coun-
Try that African negroes can find safe and
comfortable home in Liberia, with selfgoy-
ernment and personal independence, and that
large numbers of them are disposed to 90
and WILL GO to that country-frem that mo-
ment; those who remain will be more respect
ed, their, services more valued, their social
and political condition will be improved, and
they will be better treated in every respect
The improved condition of the negroes in Ii
IBERIA and America will be naturally acting
and re-acting causes, tending to advance their
interests and promote their welfare in both
hemispheres. P.B.