Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-05-25
Con,Iition OF Liberia.

The little republic Of Liberia. bulls UP
by philanthropic men and intended to
furnish the negro with home where
he should enjoy liberty and self
government, is in trouble. Some
fifteen years ago the Legislature
having imbibed the doctrine from the
United States that "a national debt is a
national blessing" authorized President
Rove 10 20 10 England and contract a loan
Of half q million dollars. Rove and his
Cabinet appropriated the money TO their
own use. This debt. with the unpaid in
terest. now amounts te over a million dol
lars, and the English creditors have re-
Gently begun to rise in demand for their
delay" and the poor Liberians. not being
able either to pay or stand of the amount
any longer, are filed with the most gloomy
f0rebodings.
The English have already several trad
ing stations within the borders Of the re-
public and manage to keep up a state Of
hostility, if not Of actual warfare. the
greater part Of the time between the
colonists and the native tribes Of the inte-
rior. The expenses Of these wars con-
voted to paying the interest on the ma
tional debt. and prevents TO a great extent
the development Of the country.
England has already acquired some
Il, 900 square miles OF territory which was
claimed by Liberia, and the people are in
constant dread that she viii take posses
sion of the capital itself and obliterate the
--rr4rr fs1sta f-74r7 4hn LIST IF nations
According TO recent reports Liberia is
q much richer country 50 far as natural
wealth is concerned than has been here
tofore supposed. It's fertile soil, tropical
vegetation. rivers almost literally
alive with fish and great pas
lures stocked with game ana cattle
are some Of its features. Besides.
the mountains on the Eastern From
tiers are said to be fun not only of the
richest iron and copper ore, but
of the precious metals as well.
The native tribes obtain considerable
quantities Of gold by the rudest methods
Of mining and refining. and they barter
large stores Of ivory and palm oil 70 the
traders. These riches are temptations
which England cannot long Withstand;
and if size does not take possession q the
territory absolutely, she viii probably as
sumo a control Of Liberian affairs that will
throw the rich resources Of the country
into the hands Of her agents.
English control might result very bene-
ficially to Liberia, if there was any prob2-
bility that the Republic would be able in
ten or twenty years TO pay the debt and
become again independent. England
would see TO it, however, that her chains
should be permanently riyeted on the
c0lonists. Claims for expenses Of govern
ment. defense. batterments, damages TO
various interest. etc. would never cease.
Probably the best thing for the future Of
Liberia would be for the Colonization 50
ciety. that founded the republic and'gov-
erned it FOR 50 many years, TO again take
it in charge, pay the debt and control the
destinies of the country until the negroes
show a much greater capacity for self
government than they have shown in the
past. As the probable future home OF the
negroes Of the United States, it is emil
nently proper that Liberia should be gov
erned under the advice. if not the absolute
control. Of those Americans who have
heretofore taken 50 much interest in its
welfare.
Tho gratuitous interference Of our gov
eminent in African affairs would be a
matter Of doubtful proprietv. We have
suficieney Of vexed, and perhaps danger
Gus. questions to deal with nearer home;
but Americans must feel an interest in
fba~fa an unSelfsb interest that is in
snired by sentiments that are creditable
to them.
The fusion in West Virginia between
the Republicans and GreenbackeTs does
not create any alarm in the Democratic
ranks. The Democrats have a small but
remarkably solid majority over both fac
tions, aud VIII turn up all right in Noyem-