Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1878-05-08
LIBERlAN LYING EXPOSED.

LIBERlAN LYING EXPOSED.
For at least half century past, or
ganized efforts have been made tc
humbug the American people respect
ing Liberia its productiveness, pros
perity, climate, etc The Colonization
Society and its agents have done much
in this line and even religious mission
aries to that country, on returning to
the United States on visits or to re-
main here, have from the pulpit held
up Liberia as paradise for immi.
grants. Only few weeks ago the
charms Of this African garden CT Joy
and plenty were painted by returned
missionaries in this city to credulous
and admiring audiences. In various
parts of the Union, during the past
forty or fifty years, many colored peo-
pie have been induced to emigrate to
Liberia, and lately very lively inter
est in favor Of going TO that country
has been excited in South Carolina,
particularly in Charleston. The pa
pers Of that city have recently been
full of this matter and the anticipated
emigration of negroes from that re.
gion appears so great TO the minds Of
the editors that they speak of it as the
"exodus" The ignorant colored peo.
pie there have been made to believe
Liberia to be a land flowing with milk
and honey and affording a fine living
and even wealth, with but very little
effort on the part Of immigrants.
Against this imposition upon the poor
negroes The Record has repeatedly
protested, urging the fact that the eli
mate Of Liberia is unhealthy and even
deadly to foreigners; that its native
population is hostile to immigrants,
and that the chances Of prospering
there are exceeding slim. Whatever
we have spoken Of Liberia and the Of.
forts to induce our colored people to
remove we have advised the latter to
remain in this country, where the land
is fertile, the climate healthful, the in.
stitutions free and the opportunities
tor educuation, prosperity and happi-
ness unsurpassed by those offered by
any other country on earth. And now
we gladly find our arguments confirm.
ed and reinforced by an official state.
ment Of facts just received from Liberia
at the Department Of State in Wash
ington. ia
This publication shows that "the
climate on the sea-coast is very dan
gerous to all but natives" Even
"horses, mules and donkeys cannot
live there. Horses are found in the in
terier, but when brought to the sea-
coast sicken and dieh This report
continues: "Although as to the tenn
perature constant summer prevails,
yet the miasmatc influence caused by
the heavy rains, alternating with hot
sunshine, causes sickness during six
months Of the year, and during the re.
naming SIX months the power of the
sun is such that II is almost impossible
for any but the natives to work. The
mean temperature is about $50, but on
account Of the dampness of the climate
the heat is sultry, depressing and weak.
ening. There is still very little civili-
zation and very little agricultural en-
tcrprise. Liberia has never produced
enough food for her own home con-
sumption, and although she should be
a rice growing country, rice Is import
ed from England and other countries
and sold at four dollars bushel, twice
tho cost at which better rice could be
grown and sold there. Flour is sl4|
per barrel, butter 81 per pound, and
hams from IS to So. Other provisions
are proportionately high. There is
not plow in use in, Liberia, and the
agricultural implements arc Of the most
primitive character such as cutlasses,
hoes, bill-hooks, etc. There are no
public schools. The immigrant has TO
compete with the native labor. The
natives are strong and hardy, and one
Of them will do the work OF horse at
fifty cents day. The settlers want
ed in Liberia, as thoughtful and prom-
incnt Liberians recognize, are those
who can afford and would prefer to
pay their own expenses of voyage and
settlement"
This picture OF Liberia is anything
but encouraging to our colored people
to cmigrhte to that country. The facts
stated speak for themselves, and re.
quire no comment But the advocates
Of Liberian emigration may say that
the above account refers only TO the
sea-coast part OF that country. In re-
ply we may say that II is this very
portion, and this only, which has been
colonizcd by American negroes. The
report from the State Department
says; "The back hilly country is said
TO be fine and healthy, but II 10
penetrablc only by tho foot paths
which have feen cut by the natives
through almost impenetrable forests,
and everything must be borne on the
heads or backs of native carriers, as
there are no roads The fact is that
the settlers cannot 60 to the high hills
and undulating plains and said 10 be |
in the interior Of Africa, without means
to provide themselves with roads and |
without treaties OF commerce and |
friendship with the numerous petty |
kings, who are In many instances either
openly or covertly hostile. 1t would
frequently be necessary TO enforce |
such treaties by means Of an armed |
force, as England and other European
POWERS which have African possessions
have found ffom experience" This
does not open a pleasing prospect TO |
those who intend 10 70 to Liberia TO |
live. They must remain near the
coast during the brief time they would |
be able to live at all, and then die, as |
the horses, mules and donkcys do
We hope the facts just put forth by !
the State Department will be we'll Or. |
culatcd throughout South Carolina,
Georgia md the other Southern States |
from which a negro exodus" to Libc-
ria is contemplated. Tho dcluded col. |