Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1911-09-22
UNFuRL LIBERIAN FLAG
ENSIGN OF AFRICAN REPv6Lic
RAISED WITH ELABORATE GER
EMONY AT LAUREL, MD.-DR.
ERNEST LYON SPEAKS.

Laurel, Md.-The Liberian ensign.
representing the Lone Star on the
west coast of Africa, was unfurled
along with the raising of the Stars
and Stripes on tall pole erected here
by the colored people Of Laurel and
Flag day was celebrated with enthu.
siasm. DR. Ernest Lyon, former Amer
lean minister to Liberia, and now Ii.
berian consul general to this country,
made the principal address. Other
speakers were John H. Murphy of Bal.
timore, Dr. Stirling Brown of Wash.
ington. Rev. M. J. Naylor Of Balti.
more, DR.. Ernest Williams, Rev. Y. N.
H. Hughes and Rev. William Jenkins.
There was tournament.
In his address DR.. Lyon said:
1T Is fitting on this occasion o. un.
furling Old Glory to the breeze that
the emblem of the republic Of Liberia
should be hoisted by it's side. Not
only is the flag Of Liberia similar in
design to the American flag, but it's
history is inseparably connected with
all things American. The stars and
stripes Of Liberia is the neglected in.
FAINT Of the Stars and Stripes Of Amer.
lea, but we are elated over the fact
that reconciliation has begun which
it Is hoped will speedily work to the
complete rehabilitation o. Liberia.
Liberia is not the only independent
negro nationality In the world, mel.
Their is it the only English-speaking
community on the west coast Of AT.
rica, but 1t is the only independent
negro nationality of English speaking
people in the world, and as such it un.
doubtedly occupies unique position
in the consideration Of mankind.
although Liberia Is negro state,
IKE Abyssinia, Hayti and the Domini-
can Republic, nevertheless its exist.
ence is quite distinct in its origin and
history from these. Apart from the
idea of an asylum for exiled Africans
who desired to return to their father
land, its mission, in the minds of the
founders, was to extend Christianity
and western civilization into Africa
Liberia was to be the entrance
through which the benefits of modern
civilization and of the Christian re-
ligion were to pass, in the English
language, to the millions Of heathens
in the interior. Its founding marked
the awakening Of Anglo-Saxon con-
science; it showed concretely the pen
itence OF repenting people for the
commission Of great wrong upon a
weak and helpless race. Liberia was
| compromise and was intended to
solve, without the shedding of blood,
one of the great 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.
can colonization Of Liberia simmered
down and the country suffered. So
desperate had the condition OF Libe.
ria become that the American govern
ment, reviewing the history Of it's
founding and being reminded Of the
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-
lions, confirmed later by due course
of mail, appointing him agent Of the
Donovan trust fund. The Donovan
trust fund comprises block Of valu-
able business property in Baltimore
belonging formerly to the Donovan es-
tate. Mr.. Donovan was a slave holder
and became rich under the system.
Many years after his death his widow,
desiring to do something for the ne.
groes as partial atonement for
whatever the negro suffered 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
H. B. Latrobe had contributed con-
siderable time and money. Accord
ingly, upon this advice trust fund
was formed with General Latrobe and
another as trustees.