The Indianapolis journal., 1883-06-30
.tE COLORED REPUBLIC.
Interesting Letter from a Country of
Which but Little Is Known.
Liberia and It's Observation-Disclosures and
Social Observation-Disclosures Designs
Against the Country.
Of the 1ndianapolIs journal.

formally made state in 1S47. The prime
mover in the scheme was the American Col
enization Society. There is a curious fact
about the recognition of the independence
of this country. Although its settlement
was encouraged by Americans, and some of
these high in authority England was the
first and America the last power to acknowl-
edge her separateness and completeness.
Now, however, Liberia is generally recog-
nized as a free and independent country.
Naturally the theory of the government, its
constitution, its laws, social customs, etc.,
are drawn from ours. Liberia has the three
branches of government, viz. Legislative,
judicial and executive. She has president,
whose term of Office is two years; vice
president, same tenure of office; Secretary
Sof State Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary
# War, Secretary of the Interior and
Attorney general. Formerly she boasted OF
aSecretary of the Navy, but now, alas! the
navy Zone little gun-boat) is sunk. moth
ing but her masts showing above water. (By
the way, when 1 think of our absolutely
miserable, disgraceful and ineffective navy
am struck with the perfectness with which
our sister republic copied our institutions" W
These distinguished gentlemen are paid
trifie less for their valuable services than are
our cabinent officers For instance, the
Presidents salary is but 81, 500 a year. The
highest salary given cabinet officer is S., 900
this to the Secretary of State. The Secre-
tary of the Interior receives with thanks and
slim, bony, black hands, the smallest salary
5000.
Mr.. Russell, formerly vice-president, is
just now the chief executive officer. Ex-
president Gardner was compelled, about one
and half year ago. to tender his resigna-
ton. 1t is said he had become partly insane.
President Russell was formerly a Kentuck-
ian, and came to this country about twenty
five years ago. He Is medium-sized man.
sparely built, skin almost white, low fore
bead, long, sharp nose, prominent cheek
bones, and small, sleepy, gray eyes. At a
casual glance he might be taken for Cuban,
well worn out His age is about fifty-five or
sixty years. He is neither an educated nor
polished man. I, accompanied by few
others, had the distinguished honor of lunch
Ing with the President, the cabinet and
six prominent merchants last week, and
was then impressed with the bearing of the
iLberians toward their chief executive OF
course they were respectful, but there was all
Iunder-current of something like feeling
-ferior.
The President is assisted in the discharge
OF Eis heavy duties by men who are far
his snperiors intellectually. Most of them
are educated men and some of them have
done some travelling. i was struck with the
good manners and good English displayed
and used by the Secretary of State and the
Postmaster-general,w with whomI talked. They
were well up in international politics. In
regard to American doings they exhibited
the utmost familiarity and interest. 1t
is needless to say our country is
their model and beau ideal.
Don't mistake me, please It not my pur-
pose to treat the people savages. Far
from it-but it's such unique government
that may at times speak in tone of levity
concerning its great men and efforts. To an
American, it must be a matter of pride to
} know that one of the lastformed govern
ments in this age of civilization and progress
has used as model our glorious republic.
No one can deny the fact that Liberia is as
yet an experiment. The country is now in
nasty position. She owes debt to English
men that she cannot pay. She also owes in
terest on this debt; this she has not paid.
England's Sierra Leone possession joins the
northern boundary of Liberia. England
wants Liberia Every action of Fngland's
officers proves this and many prom
inent Liberian politicians admit that, sooner
or later, England will possess Liberia. 1
must say, however, there are many brave,
patriotic, honest hearts in the republic who
declare that England can only get Liberia by
sword and shot. They Will never willingly
or peacefully submit to English rule. This
is no vain boast. Liberians have proven, in
border and interior wars with natives and
others, that, when necessary, they can be
brave, hardy, disciplined soldiers. OF course
England's naval force will not avail her on
the Liberian ceast. War in Liberia must be
on land and probably in the bush, and
among the sands, heat, hills and malaria.
son, belongs to the fighting party,
Liberia for the Liberians" being
his motto. 1t is surprising how universal
and intepse-i is the hatred borne by the Liber-
ian for the Englishman. l said surprising
but this is not thoroughly correct word.
oNE-sIDED LOAN
Letme illustrate: In 1871, think it was,
some Liberian politicians organized loan
for $1,000 In England. When the commits
. sons, exchange, the three years advance in
terest, the amounts retained for possible un-
paid instalments on the principal, were de-
Quoted, Liberia received just $40, 900 in cash
and about $4,000 in goods-useless old
brooms, brushes, rope, baskets. etc. Think
of it, $40, 900 out of $500 00Ol
Again: For some time the northern boun-
dairy line has been In dispute Negotia-
tions with England have been un-
satisfactory and useless. Three years ago
Ouc vi our pIouilueut HdNdl OIuCSrS OOmnO-
dore Shufeldt, offered his services as med-
ator His advances were rudely dismissed
by tie English officials, and the Commodore
was advised to ''get out and mind his own
business" Every step the Liberans
have made toward lust and peaceable set
tement of this question has been either
ignored or treated with procrastipating dis
patches. And now we have the conclusion:
A few days ago Governor Havelock, the
English official commanding the English
African possessions, put an end to the de
bate" by moving into the Liberian posses
sions about fifty miles nlanting the Enclish