Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1877-11-22
Tho LiberIan Delusion.

Kershaw County:
COLUMBIA, October 8, 1877.
Rtchard d. Val, Esq, Camden, S. c..
DEAR sIR-Your favor of the 28th ultimo
has just been received. Professional occu.
pations prevent as full o reply as would be
desirable, but tho information contained in
your letter and numerous communications
from colorcd people in various parts of the
State, upon the same subject, induce me to
give you my views at once, imperfect as
their expression may bo from the hurried
manner 10 which | am compelled to write.
lst. The Liberian scheme is delusive and
chimer'cal, aud its originators arc enthusias.
tic and fanatic, not to characterize it aud
thom by harshcr epithots. The soil, climate
aud productions of Liberia are 10 every way
inferior to those Of South Carolina. It is a
long nnd expensive journey there, and the
money it would require would buy more
land horc than one man could properly cul-
tivate.
The government of that country is weak
and imbecie, and exists only by on implied
protcctoratc Of Great Britain and the United
States; while tho National Government
under which you now live is one of the most
powerful tho world, able und williog to
protect alike the humbest and most exalted
of its citizens. The religious, educational
and benevolent institutions of Liberia are
not only in their infancy, but very sickly
infancy compared with corresponding organ
lzltions in any part Of the United Stutcs.
The pecuniary, moral, sanitary, educational
and religious advantages are oil .ou tho side
OF our own country. If it is objected that
the colorcd race is dwarfed hers by the
ovee,rshadowing Influence Of tho white, It is
saholent to answer that this is true, in
.. es..ccascr or less degree, throughout the civil
lied world. The ships Of tho white race
plough every ocean; its travellers have ex-
plorcd cvory laud; its dominion exists over
oil the enlightened portions of tho Garth; it
has extended its copquests, and govern.
ments far Into the realms Of barbarism.
No and or climo is beyond its power and
influence. The ships in which you would
take passage were constructed by white
mechanics; the tools and Implements you
would carry were invented and manufao
tured by white artisans, and the books you
would take to read were written and printed
by white scholars. Through tho providence
Of God, this is your home--your country.
Your interests, duties aud responsibilities
arc all hero. Under our free institutions,
with our delightful climate, generous soil
and rcmuncrative productions, the highest
possible moral and intellectual development
of your race is attaiuable. The great body
of the colorcd people of the South cannot
leave their native soil. Their small means
arc utterly inadequate for their removal; the
entire shipping of the United States would
be insufficient for their transportation during
,nnxt century; and the attempt, if made,
would be 1s unprolitablo rs il would be
foolish aud cowardly.
Cd The life, liberty, and property OF the
racc will bo protected in the South. The
Governor of this State has, ia the most
emphatic manner, pledged his word to that
effect, and, in taking the oath of office, has
sworn it. The Constitutions of this State
and of the United States guarantee full pro.
lection to all olasscs aud races, aud who.
ever may be Governor or President their
provisions @il be executed.
race must abandon all hope of holding pub
lilo office, as indeed must oil men of the
white race who have been antagonistio to
tho now dominant party. While tho Re-
publican party of tho North is 10 its full
vigor, and the controlling organization, 10
The South it is dead, and, under existing
circumstances, :hore is no hope Of its resur
reotion. 1t Is useiivsS: here to inquire into
the causes of this result, that viii uu tue
province of tho historian. It's death
uosolves you from party allegiance, although
t1, nf al n,oo
tons or finance, taxation, State credit, edu.
cation and labor arc thrusting themselves
into tho foreground, aud however unpalata
bic, imperativoly demand action and adjust
mcut. twill become your duty to exercise
according to your best Judgment and honest
convictions, all the rights conferred upon
you by tho State and Federal Constitutions,
aud among others to vote for tho men whose
views upon public questions arc most conso
nant with your own, and whose abilities and
characters will best subservo tho varied
interests of tho whole people.
4th. Your success or failure, as q race,
will depend upon yourselves If frugal,
industrious, honest and Intelligent, you will
succeed; if not, you will fail BY the pro
visious of tho State Constitution OIL annual
erty Of white people US we'll as your owu for
~ education of all the children in the
.,,o.e. IT, you aaonot, with this powerful
assistance, educate your children hero, how
can you do go without any such assistance in
Liberia? Tho duty Of educating thom is
imperative. If tho public funds arc insult
ficient for its full accomplishment, oontribu
tons should bo made from your priste
means. 1t must not bc supposed that the
entire education Of the young can DO re-