Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-03-10

! The recent citation of the schemes for
/ the colonization Of the negroes, where
/ they can have the blessings or curses-as
/ the case NAV be--Of self-government, has
/ attracted very general attention. 1t is
stated that State Senator Kerner, of Vir-
ginia. who introduced the bill in the Nir-
/ ginia Senate lately to inquire into the
expediency of an experimental colony for
colored people, has received many letters
I from distinguished men all over the cOun-
/ try approving the project. BY far the
| greater number of these came from the
| North. Some Of them expressed the
4 opinion that the proposed colony ought to
1 be established in Africa. where the col
ored people would not only develop the
country and improve their condition, but
become profitable to the commercial in
/ terests of the United States.
Negro colonization has already had
trial in Africa. 1t is a curious fact that
/ the colonization question was first
brought before a legislative body in Vir-
GINA by a resolution similar to the one
recently introduced in the Senate Of that
State in the first year of the present
/ tanned. but so much attention was at
tracted to the subject that few years
| later the American Colonization So
/ cietv was organized. In 1917 that society
| sent agents to Africa to locate a
4 colony. In 1919 Congress appropriated
4 sI0O,O0 for the purpose of carrying back
/ to Africa such slaves as should be sur
/ reptitiously imported. A colony of s.
persons was sent out in 1920, and two
years later was established at Cape Me-
surado. Additions were made from time
to time of manumitted slaves from the
Southern States, but the powers of gov
/ eminent were retained in the hands of the
agents of the society until 1925 when the
| cOIonists were given some voice in the
management of affairs. The colonists were
gradually given greater power, but
the society retained the right to
nullifv any act of the Legislature
until 1s47. when declaration of indepen-
dence and the constitution OF the Repub
lie of Liberia were adopted. Since that
time the society has continued to send out
emigrants and to provide them with tenn
pOrary means for support. About 1900
! persons altogether have been sent to
/ Africa. Since the founding Of the colony
the parent society has spent nearly three
millions Of dollars in its settlement and
encouragement.
This colony was established under ex-
/ ceptionallv favorable conditions, and while
the experiment in self-government by
| the negroes cannot be called an absolute
/ failure. it has not been as successful as
| the friends of the colonization scheme
hoped. The colonists have only been mod
/ erateIv prosperous. A few have acquired
small fortunes by traffic with the native
Africans, of whom there are over 100000
in Liberia and adjacent regions. The
Americo-Liberians have not increased
rapidly and now number scarce
" 10000. No considerable num-
Der of the colonists have
relapsed into barbarism. The colonists
maintain a good many public schools. as
| well as churches OF the Methodist Episco-
pal Protestant Episcopal and Baptist
denominations. A great many of the
native Africans are Mohammedans, and
/ they have prevented the spread Of Chris
tianity among the idolators to any great
| extent.
/ The republic contracted loan of half
million dollars in London in 1871. The
President. James Roye, on his return
home. was accused of having appropri-
ated the money thus obtained to his own
use and that Of his Cabinet. In conse-
auence. there was a popular uprising, and
Rove was deposed and imprisoned, and an
executive council was intrusted with the
government until new President was
elected.
Liberia contains nearly 10000 square
miles Of territory embraced in the present
political jurisdiction of the republic,
which might he extended to 100000. There
is room for all the negroes of America
who desire a country governed exclusive
Iv bv their own race. The conditions nee
essary for success are probably more ia
vorable there than in any portion of the
West. besides they would be free from
the social and political influences which
cause race antagonists in America. 1t
would be very hurtful to the race should
they attempt to colonize in Liberia or
onvv.-boya also on 955ueSp