11
Are People Contented in Liberia?
prevail in that land. The disease of which I have spoken is a wall of fire around tropical Africa, through which the colored man passes comparatively harmless, but which the white man can never penetrate; therefore, as the land of Canaan was once given to the children of God, through his special interposition, so Africa is secured to the black man by his immutable laws.
You might possibly expect me to say more of the people of Liberia individually than I have, but it would amount to little, as I should, merely, be using names unknown to you. It is enough, perhaps, to say, that some of her principal men are Marylanders, having advantages of education and improvement, when they emigrated, in no way superior, if equal, to you whom I now address. The Dennis and Gibson families, members of which are now men of note, holding high positions in the Republic, were both from the Eastern Shore, their fathers hard-working farmers, without a trace of education. President Benson went from old Dorchester, a child of six years only, entirely educated in Liberia. The McGills, the most successful merchants there, were perhaps the only ones from this state who possessed even the rudiments of a common English education. What they are now, is in the power of any and every one of you, of like natural talents, to become by emigrating.
I am almost daily asked the question, both idly and seriously, if the people are happy and contented in Liberia? The answer might be very brief and true, "about as happy as people are, elsewhere." But I will answer the question more fully and more than answer it to you, and let the few words I say have weight, for they are true and cover the whole ground. As already stated, I spent near ten years in Liberia, knew, more or less intimately, most of its people at that time, received and had the care of many emigrants on their arrival, located them in their houses and on their lands; have since, for eighteen years, seen most of the emigrants depart, and also most of those who have returned to this country, from whatever cause; yet, believe me, I have never known a man, of tolerable character and, moderately industrious habits, who had lived two years in Liberia, that would have it for any other part of the world, or that would, under all the circumstances of the case, prefer any other place, as a home, to Liberia. I have heard of one or two such cases, only.
The general course with emigrants is this. On leaving home, getting on ship-board, and on the early part of their passage out, they suffer extreme depression from the combined influence of home-sickness and sea-sickness. As they get into the latitude of the Tropics, and feel the delightful influence of its balmy air, they become more cheerful. The sight of land excites them still more, and on landing they are delighted and charmed with their new home. Many a one I have seen kneel in rapture on the earth, and thank God that he has at last found a home. All that they see and experience for the first few weeks, generally increases their delight, and they then write glowing letters to their friends urging them to come out and join them, After a few weeks, the novelty of their situation passes away, the ordinary annoyances of life begin to be
