The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-02-18
gittmolla alspatth.1
WEDNESDAY. :. FEBRUARY Is, 1874.
Liberia, Acknowledgements.

Mr.. FsrIrSGEUYsgN, Of New Jersey, pre-
scnted TO the United States Senate on Mon
day petition Of negroes asking the Govern
ment 20 detail vessel to transport them 10
Liberia. How many petitioners there were
is not stated. But the petition is somewhat
surprising when we consider how perfectly
indifferent 10 their mother land the Africans
have seemed to he since the war. Ihey
have shown less devotion 70 their native mnu
than any other race, and it was rcasonao,
supposed that they did rot Intend 70 nun
any effort even 10 assist other races ~ WY"
effort TO ciyil;ze Africa. EVcnihe So'o ""
diamond fever in the African m'nes ~"P'es
.,,o NJ them from this country, although
r,,,,hc,s NJ white men in the intrepid pur-
.,it Of gain made expeditions TO Africa.
.s friends OF civilization and humanity
We are crat;tcd to hear that even one pe;l-
zion is sent to Congress for the means o.
sending persons Of African descent 10 thelr
mother country. Although the effort 70
,iyil;ze Africa through the return 10 her
shores Of the descendants OF those OF Der
children who We're kidnapped and brought
hther. and who here had in slavery at
taiacd a higher civilization than was ever
before attained by the negro race-althoush
tnis effort, we repeat, was not very success
fnl, and although from the indifference of
the rcgro towardsit the phianshropistS who
hsd the enterprise in hand almost abandoned
il. sill! there may be hope; still much may De
done for Africa by emigration OF negroes
from America, and we think it alike the
uelicv and the duty Of the American Gov
orn,neut 20 encourage any manifestation Of
3 DISPOSITION for this kind Of emigration.
II seemed quite appropriate that the pre-
scntcr OF this petition to the Senate should
lc named FEELISGurYsEN. Ii is al honored
name in the cause OF philanthropy, but
name which attained 10 great eininepce on
other grounds. The elder FRELISGuU YsEs
was on HExsY CLAY's presidential ticket as
the nominee for Vice-PrcsideDt. lie was
:hou.ht 10 be "too good" and therefore
the ticket was not helped by him. In phi
antnropy, however, he was associated with
ADAMS. CLAY, AID MERCER, and host OF
others in The cause Of African colonization.
lie vas pure man, and devoted to benevo-
lcnce, as be understood it-abolition inc]u.
ded. II Tic gentleman Of subsequent gene
ration is as jealous in the cause of humanity,
h, deserves respect alike for his honesty and
his devotion; and we wish him greater sue
ccs. with the Africans than the elder gentle
man Of the family bad.
II tie negroes of this country had the
t;ue love Of mother Land and would enter
heartily into plan for clvilizing Africa by
carrying TO that continent the knowledge
ard the arts and industries they have ac-
,,uired in America, they would more than
probably achieve one Of the most rfmarka-
bic social revolutions ever accomplished IN
the world, and bring Africa into the circle OF
grand producing divisions Of the earth
steadily developing her vast resources ana
adding TO The subsistence, comfort, and
wealth Of nations.
Is the race capable Of this achievement?
Time will tell.