The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1878-08-22


communication to the President of the
United States on the subject of the emf
grafton from that country, with view
to its facilitation. He talks with the
deliberate drawl characteristic of the
Southerner, white or colored, and seemed
pleased to have an opportunity of talk
ing about Virginia and the old times
there. He says that he left that State
just as he was getting big enough to
ride the horse to mill" AS usual in Ii
berian households, wine was brought out,
it being in this instance harmless and
pleasant compound wherein ginger was
the predominating feature. Of course I
appreciated the grandeur of my position,
cfinking glasses-hop-nobbing- actually
chummiing in as it were-with one of the
rulers of the earth; president of q re.
public. There was great uplifting of
heart, which was suddenly checked by
the remembrance that I lat present the
companion of a potentate) would return
to my own country and have the bell
rung on me by street car driver just the
same az if had never known any presi-
dent beyond the head man in building
and loan association. Such is life. The
beverage was brought, as heretofore mem
toned, by colored man addressed as
tMr. Ross" who took up position be-
hind the presidents chair from whence.
he silently but actively participated in
the conversation, nodding approyingly
when something pleased him that was
said, and again expressing unqualified
dissent. He was from Richmond, Va,
having come out just at the close of the
war. lie had formerly belonged to one
of the most prominent families there,
and seemed exceedingly delighted when
given some tidings of them. We took
our leave after q very pleasant visit.
The president, in common with all Libe-
ria, seems fully impressed with the i'm
portance Of encouraging immigration
from America. The question as to the
NEaRoIs ABILITY TO GOVERN HIMSELF
is not decided by Liberia. That govern
ment III as yet an experiment, of the re-
suit Of which it is difficult to form any
forecast. The Liberian people have not
even general name, having not attained
to the dignity of nation, and being
beyond tribe. Whether the world Will
ever see great negro nationality is yet
to be determined. There is nothing now
on which to form q judgment. They
have borrowed from the United States
form and system of government designed
for an intelligent, virtuous and progres.
sive people, which they are applying to
a people with as little virtue and far less
intelligence, and apparently utterly lack
ing tho progressiveness of the American.
The negro has not had as yet a fair
chance. It must be remembered that
this is his first attempt in really civil
lied state to rule himself by himself. 1t
is, perhaps, fortunate that there has been
no proiniscuous streaming in of newly
freed and ignorant slaves. The absence
of this has afforded an opportunity for
the laying of a foundation of partial ed
ucation and civilization, on which to
build. This, of course, has its evils,
already limited at. Every man is pro-
prietor and master. What is wanted
now is manual labor and population. AS
this comes in, one of two things must
happen. Either the people will learn
what is wanted, and improve the govern
ment, or, in blind dissatisfaction, they
will overturn it, and anarchy will ensue.
The present
SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT
is too cumbrous and expensive, and en-
courages petty ambition for Offices
When DR.. johnson said that patriotism
was the last resort of scoundrel, he
might have added, "and loafer;" be.
aides which it is well established fact
that rascality and loafng are usually the
last resorts of q "patriot." The perni-
cious doctrine that to be elected to some
Office by an unreasoning, dirty and tickle
populace is q worthy ambition, seems
very prevalent here. Consequently large
numbers of men who might be develop
ing the country and themselves, are con-
stantly engaged in either seeking or hold
ing Office. Liberia, with her $500 voters,
is l,ettier and meaner edition of the
cessp0ol of American politics. Dozens
of miserable small holders of miserable
small Offices are loafng around destroy
ing themselves and eating up the land.
There is more than one instance of men
who have relinquished business which
was benefit to themselves and the COM
munisy to participate in the struggle for
some triAing Office. To sum up, politics
seems destined to be
THE CURSE OF THE COUNTRY,
au.-r otbor Hara 10