The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-10
LIBERALS NEW POLICY.
The lenE-NeEiocted Native Popu,ation to ne
Looked After by the Government.

hhe AEenH-NeEiected Native Population - Ne
Looked After by the Governuent.
Fifty years ago. in lsI7, the independence of
the Liberinn Republic was proclaimed, and has
since then been maintained. The country was
first settled in 1920 by Afro. Americans, under
the protection and guidance OF the American
Colonization Society, and was intended as n
refuge for Africans in tho United States, who,
Tor whatever reason, might desire TO return TO
their native land or that Of their forcfathers.
Tho fndisposition Of Afro-Amcricans before
and since the war to avail themselves Of the
advantages OF this west African asylum, and
the tenacity with which thoy have chung to the
heshpots OF tho United States. in sun and shade,
i'll slavery and in freedom, have puzzled the wise
men OF three continents for seventy-seven years
and are likely to puzzle them for seventy seven
years more.
A great many Afro.Americans have gone to
Liberia since the country was first settled, but
the deadly climate Of tho west coast Of Africa
has made short work OF most Of those who
were unable TO get back to the United States;
so that of all those who have gone there not
more than 10000 have survived. and now con.
stitutc, as they have been from the beginning,
the ruling force in the country, which has, be.
sides these 10000 Afro-Americans n native
population of something over 100000. Sin
gularly enough, during the past fifty years
the Libcrian Government has almost entirely
neglected this native population, leaving 1t to
work out its own salvation. when II could have
been made the bone and sincw, II not the
brains, OF the country by a wise system of
friendly intercourse and missionary effort.
Many Of the wise men of the country in the past
have recognized the unwisdom of this policy,
but they were not strong enough to overcome
the prejudiccs of the ruling masses In their
purpose TO keep the savage and semi-savage ma
lives in their place" And this in tho face Of
l D. fnpt that fhn 1 xt.aRn a. > ~ .,,lA
waite friendly relations with their moro fortu-
nate brethren.
strange policy in the past half a century 1t IL
not easy TO conjecture; that the loss has been
productive capacity Of a savage or ;se,mi.savage
is compared to that of q civilized man. But
this policy of ignoring the natives and Of ex.
of the Government was dictated in large part
by the, expectation of the Liberian Government
cessions to the population from the United
statos; and even after ,tfty years of d%isappoint-
ment this expectation, has not been abandoned,
The latest issue of the Lagos, West Africa,
leading article on ''lhe New Policy Of LIBERIA"
In which 1t is stated with much show OF salts
fsci boas, that !s Gn;nMg the ,v first .. impGqrtant moves
to the Chief Magistracy. was to inaugurate a
policy Of friondliness toward the native popu.
which may have a marked influence on the
future Of Liberia. the Record says,
Ic 70 tuC Hl5l Slu WIZ III bteH NlB
way to visit the interior. countries to hold in
tercourse with the chiefs. We congratulate
lee year, Fifty. years is not TOO long a time
for q nation TO learn the true principles which
s dsD9 d. guide f3bsp,n i, 3 p fbs yn,s Ihs s yis1, q al : P resi-
been a desideratum in the administrator OF
Liberian affairs. The civilized portion of tho
natives have frequently called for it; but owing
to COMPLICATIONS on the COAST growing out Of
other fiscal regulations of the republic, the at
tcntion OF the President has been constantly
absorbed eS P T,Ip petty questions ma St IS, II pthh;eadm maritime time
man is an indication, and an Indication that
ought to be suggestive. that not only does the
Of. maritime and interior questions, But that
Liberia feels sure of her footing on the coast
and can now turn her attention with conf
dence to internal development"
Although the E Rec9rd is n,I not published 9hl in "A.
in those of African origin in the United States.
He firmly believes that Afro-Americans will
have ultimately to return TO Africa. On this
point. and in further discussing the new policy
Of President Coleman. he says:
The unseen and subtle influences which d.
rect the movements of races are urging Liberia
forward. in spite OF all drawbacks. to its des.
i.n : x for the fs = A fG@S !" I RTfhs e CONSENT nss%is' a and grad RrSi:
ual acccssions TO the republic Of c%ivilizcI ne
Eroes from America, driven from that country
by social and political pressure. which now
promise TO be increased in an unprecedented dc:
gree, are u guarantee of the steady growth of
that youthful nation in Industrial and intel
It is Welt that so rosy q view of tho future of
tive of Africa. but those who wish the young
republic well will expect more for itsindustrial
pprosress from Sn'o the now woI policy NJ ina1gTra,,ed BY !:
conclusion, than from acccssions of civilized
negroes from America, who, being, for the most
the natives. and If the African fever does not
cut them of in the first year Of their residence.