The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1911-08-31
of
Liberia
UNFUlRLED BY THE SIDE OF THE
STARS AND STRIPES WITH
GREAT CEREMONY.
Flag Day Celebrated.
by ColOred People of Laurel, Md, and
Dr. Ernest Lyon, Liberian Consul
TO this Country, Was Chief Speak
er.

Laurel Md, August 2S.-The LII
Derlan ensign, representing The Lone
Star on the west coast Of Africa.
was unturled today along with the
raising OF the Stars and Stripes on
tall pole erected here by the color
ed people Of Laurel and Flag Dav
was celebrated with enthusiasm.
DR.. Ernest Lyon, former American
minister to Liberia, anG now Liber-
ian consul general to this country,
made the principal address. Other
speakers were John III. Murphy, OF
Baltimore; DR.. Stirling Brown, OF
washington; Rev. M. J. Naylor, of
Baltimore; Dr.. Ernest Williams,
ReV. Y. n. II. Hughes and Rev. Will
liam jenkins. There was Il tourna-
ment
In his address Dr.. Lyon said:
1T is fitting on this occasion Of
unfurling/ Old Glory to the breeze
that the emblem of the republic Of
Liberia should he hoisted by it's side.
liar in design to the American flag,
but its history il inseparabIy con-
nected with all things American.
The star and stripe Of Liberia is the
neglected infant Of the Stars and
stripes Of America but we are elat-
ed over the fact that a reconsilia-
ton has begun which it is hoped
will speedily work to the complete
rehabilitation Of Liberia.
Liberia is not the only indeDen-
dent Negro nationality in the world.
neither is 1T the only English-sDcak-
ing community on the West coast of
Africa, but it is the only indepen-
dent Negro nationality Of English
speaking people in the world, and
as such 1t, undoubtedly occupies a
unique position in the family of ma
t1ons and in the consideration Of
mankind.
Although Liberia is Negro state
like Abyssinia, Hayti and the Domini-
can Republic, nevertheless it's exist
ence Is quite distinct in it's origin
and history from these Apart from
the idea of an asylum for exiled Afri-
cans who desired to return to their
fatherland, it's mission in the minds
or the founders, was to extend Christ
1anlty and western civilization into
Africa. Liberia was to be the en-
trance through which the benefits of
modern civilization and of the Chris
tian religion were to pass, in the E1;g.
n 7 {~ q
heathenS in the interior. It's found
ing marked the awakening of Anglo
Saxon conscience; it showed con-
cretely the penitence of a reDenting
people for the commission of great
wrong upon weak and helpless race
Liberia was compromise and was in
tended to solve, without the shedding
Of blood, one of the greatest problems
Of modern times.
"HoWeVer in the conflict of ideas
and the clash of arms, God partially
oVerruled the designs of His creatures,
and consequently the plan of Ameri-
cam colonization Of Liberia simmered
down and the country suffered SO
desperate had the condition Of Liberia
become that the American govern
ment, reviewing the history of it's
founding and being reminded Of tre
sentiment, hopes and designs Of the
founders, felt compelled to stretch a
helping hand across the Atlantic,
which will prove to be the salvation Of
this unique republic"
DR.. Lyon has received cable instruc-
tions, confirmed later by due course of
mail, appointing him agepe, or the
Donovan Trust Fund. The nonovau
Trust Fund comprises a block Of
valuable business property in Balti-
more belonging formerly to the Dom
ovan estate. Mr.. Donovan wB q
Shareholder and became rich undet the
system. Many years after his death
his widow, desiring to do something
for the Negroes as q partial atone
ment for whatever ills the Negro suf-
fered under slavery, was advised by
the late Gen. Ferdinand G.. Latrobe to
direct her efforts to the Republic Of
| Liberia, to the founding Of which his
| father, John II. 3. Latrobe, had con-
tributed considerable time and money.
Accordingly upon this advice a trust
| fund was formed with General La
trobe and another as trustees.
This fund was ordained for two
| specific purposes, namely: First, to
! furnish transportation for worthy
| American Negroes who desired to en-
| igrate to Liberia, and, second, to aid
in the development Of public cduca-
ton. The transportation of emigrantS
! was the first charge 1DOn tho fund If