The Colorado statesman., 1918-10-12
.schieffelin, Territory of Marshall,

Schieffelin, Territory of Marshall,
Republic of Liberia, July s. 1918.
]. N. Walker, President The Colorado
African Colonization Co, 220S Lar
inner Street, Denver, Colorado.
Dear Sir:
have had the pleasure of reading
your letter addressed to THE Afri-
cans in America" asking the question,
Are we Citizens or are we not?"
Said letter attracted my attention and
| wish to express a few thoughts to
you on the subject.
Looking at the subject from my
standpoint | am forced to say. with
you, that the sons and daughters of
Africa have served the Americans the
length of time God Almighty intended
and, | say therefore, change the con-
tiision of things in order that you may
return to the land of your fathers.
You will remember when the time
arrived 70 rthe Hebrews to go to the
land God had promised them, their op-
unto the Lord and he delivered them.
1t may be that the discrimination OF
which you complain may be consider
ed as an increase of oppression to
cause you to look abroad where you
may be free from oppression.
Now, The Hebrews complained,
but things grew worse and worse un-
til they were led out of the iron fur
mace, God being in the midst of them.
1t appears to me that the mobs oc-
curing in East ST. Louis and other
places, and the lynchings and shoot
ings done, or practiced. on the unfor-
tunate race in America are deepening
the oppression to drive you out of the
land.
With these things before your eyes,
causing you to consider the propriety
of leaving America, allow me to say
that the only country on the face of
the earth where you can enjoy equal
rights as a man, or men, is Liberia.
When ! look over the history of Ii
III
:he freed sons and daughters of AT
rice and God has helped us to hold it
to the present day.
So, Then, you can come and help
to make the Negroes home what you,
in Gods hand. will have it to be. You
have had the advantages of the schools
of different grades, together with the
erts and sciences of this modern day
You have mechanics of all classes who
are much needed to build homes and
establish country. Come to us and
bring all such with you. The farmer,
the ship-builder, the .house-carpenter,
the brick and stone mason, the shoe
maker, and many other trades not
necessary to mention. men and wom-
en-. ministers. doctors, lawyers, all
are needed.
In coming, do not expect to find
America in Liberia The Americans
had to make America what it now is.
So you or we, will have to make Ii
IBERIA what we will have it be. Again
| say, Come, because you can soon
aspire TO any position you may wish.
even though it be for the Presidency.
Here a man is respected according
to his merits and not his complexion.
Just here | would like to say. think
YOUR letter to the President. instead of
being of the nature it is, should have
been for an adequate sum to help con-
vey you from America to Liberia. Per
haps this should be under the head of
a petition, which he might lay before
Congress. and which might result in
great good
Dear Sir, You must excuse my as
sumption in this matter. Believe me
tO he YOURS and q sincere and dear
lover of the race.
(SignedD
ZACHARY T. WALKER, SR.
P. 81 will be glad to know the
st1ge of the body, from time to time,
if you please.