The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-07-30
ENGRAVING TO LIBERIA.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: The negroes are
leaving this section Of the country in large numbers
for AfrioA-Libera, think. They say that they are
offered land, and seed for one year. also passage
free from New York or New Orleans. and only IS
expense from here. Now what wish TO find out
Is ths,-as j, Of course am a Republican. and being
an ez-Union soldier. a great many Of tho blacks
look TO me for advice, want information for
their benefit and would thank you TO enlghten me
as much possible on this African business, that
1 may counsel the negroes who come to me for
Hdviee.-F. c. HmL, MorTistOn. Ark.
Since the receipt of this letter we have
interviewed a number Of gentlemen in Wash
ington who are more or less familiar with
Liberia, and they, one and all, speak in the
strongest terms against any colonization in
the country. They say that climate is fatal
to any man of middle age going there from
this country or Europe, and that younger
men run great risk Of dying or being per-
manently disabled. They all refer us to a
report made in 1877, by Hon. J. Milton
Turner, Minister TO Liberia, as setting forth
the real facts in regard 10 the country, and
the poor chances an American negro has of
making living there, or even living at all.
Mr. Turner first speaks of the efforts of GER
tain men in America TO induce negroes to
emigrate. These men are the agents of sOcie-
ties organized and supported 10y well-mean-
ing people, who think that they will i'm
prove the condition of the negroes by sending
them back to Africa. The agents, who live by
this work, paint the Dark Continent in the
fairest cOlOrs, but Mr. Turner says:
These agents spcsI; the truth when they repre-
sent that emgrRnts will find tho soil fertile; that
constant Summer prevails; that there are mineral
wealth. beautiful landscapes luxurious vegetation,
tropical fruits Of every description etc. But they
should add that the most primitive agricultural
appliances are used for filling this fertile soil such
as cuiasses, hoes, bill hooks. etc. Such thing a
pillow Is not TO be found ia In Liberia. II has
been demonstrated that neither horses mules, nor
Gonkcys can Withstand the climate on the sea-
coast. Horses are found in the interior but, when
brought 10 the coast they sickcn aud die. Although
constant Summer prevails. as to temperature, the
miasmaiic influence, caused by the heavy rain
alternating with hot sunshine, causes sickness
hAoAAAi" VI year. hilus uuItilk To-
manning six months Of the year the power Of the
sun is such that il Il almost impossible for any one
except native to work. as 1t produces inertia las
situde, want Of energy. Indeed, after man has
once had the fever lac never, in Africa, regans the
energy he was possessed Of before. Only very
few oil the most robust constitutions ever regain.
after leaving the climate their former physical
status. II Is impossible direct a sight anywhere
without it, resiingupon the beautiful landscapes"
Hhd upon hills aud dalos covered with virgin for
esis The sea and rivers imagined with that "Iuxu-
riant vegetation" always peculiar TO the deadly
mangroveswamps. 1t is true there is mineral
wealth, but tho procuring Of this wealth is more
than counierbalanced By the sacrifice and difficulty
necessary FOR people poor il the knowledge Of the
economy Of Government, and poor as well in indi-
ViduAl competence. Rich as the country is natu-
rally. Liberia has never been independent 10 loose
herself from other countries enough to produce
food sufficient for her daily home consumption.
Although rice-growing land. rice is imported
from England aud other counties. and sold at 81
per bushcl, when better rice can be grown and
sold at half the price. Rice is the principal bread
stun have never seen flour Of less price than sl4
per Darrell butter, at 81 per pound; hams. from s.
TO $ each; other provisions proporlonably high
In tie face Of these facts the American emigraut
has TO compete with the native for labor. The
native Is strong and hardy. with = very few wants,
and able, NJ 30 cents per day. TO perform the labor
usually assigned to horses la other countries.
When these agents. by reason OF such ex-parlo
representations, have succeeded fret, in producing
discomfort, thereby inducing these unsuspeclng
persons TO quit homes and surroundings. already
known and possessed. aud 10 migrate across an
ocean 10 land unknown TO themselves and the
world. impossible hopes are RherwaTd rused
superinduced by these distorted statements OF
empire and national greatness. They are left at
the expiration Of six months OF 80 called support
without money or any means Of livelihood with
little, II any, communication with their former
friends and homes, without knowledge Of the Gus
come. suffering from tile despair and discourage
ment Occasioned by the acciimAtion fever, and
alas! ia too many cases. mourning the loss Of per
baps their entire families, the one thus left
mourneTi such are only anxious to return from
whence they came. ] may here remark, have
never known OF the departure Of a vessel to Amer
ioa without receiving, frequently, dozen applica-
tiOEs to he sent back.
AS these statements of Mr. Turner have
never been successfully contradicted, it
would seem that they contain all that is
necessary TO say upon the subject.
The mean temperature IL about $50; but. on
account 81 the dnnpness Of the climate, the heat
Is suliry. depressing. weakening.