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122 THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA.
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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Transcript
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Owing To The Recent Visit Of Mr. Benson,...
Alexander High . School for boys in Monrovia , is the third Professor , that of the Greek and Latin languages . The English is the
mothertongue of the Liberians , and they are extending its use along the coast and in the interior . Nothing is more common than for the
native chiefs and the head men and other important persons among the tribes within the jurisdiction of Liberia , and even far beyond ,
to place their sons at an early age , for three , four , or five years , in the family of the Americo-Liberiansexpressly to learn English and to
acquire civilized habits . Among the , natives , to understand _Englislt is the greatest accomplishment and advantage ; and "with some of
the coast tribes a knowledge of English is beginning to be regarded as a necessary qualification for the ruling men of the chief towns .
The English language has become the commercial medium of communication throughout not only the African coast , but other parts
where ships carry the civilizing influence of commerce . There is no standing armybut all the males between the ages of sixteen and
fifty are compelled , ( with , certain exceptions ) to serve in the militia . This force is well drilled , and has the 1 , 500 muskets presented by the
present Emperor of the French , and has proved itself qualified to defend the country and to make the Government respected by its
neighbours . The navy consists of one vessel , a schooner of _& v & gunspresented by the English . Government , and of an advice-boat ,
, a steamer . " The American Liberiansin their Declaration of Independence ,
use the following language , to describe the fortunate change of circumstances consequent upon emigrating from the United States
to Liberia : — " ' Liberia is already the happy home of thousands who were
once doomed victims of oppression , and thus far our highest hopes have been realized . Our courts of justice are open equally to the
stranger and the citizen for the redress of grievances and for the punishment of crime . Our numerous and well-attended schools
attest our efforts and our desire for the improvement of our children . Our churches for the worship of our Creator , everywhere _*
to be seen , bear testimony to our piety and to our acknowledgment of His providence . The native African , bowing down with us
before the altar of the Living God , declares that from us , feeble as we arethe liht of Christianity has gone forth ; while upon that
curse our influence of , curses extends g , the slave . Ther trade efor , a e deadl in the y bli name ght of has hum fallen anity as , virtue far as
, and religion—in the name of the great God , our common Creator and our common Judgewe appeal to the nations of Christendom
, , and earnestly and respectfully ask of them that they will regard us with the sympathy and friendly consideration to which our condition _,
entitles us , and will extend to us that comity which marks thefriendly _intercoiirse of civilized and independent communities . '
" Then follows the Constitution , one section of which declares : —
" ' That there shall be no slavery within this Republic , nor shall .
122 The Republic Of Liberia.
122 THE REPUBLIC OF _LIBERIA .
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Citation
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English Woman’s Journal (1858-1864), Oct. 1, 1862, page 122, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ewj/issues/ewj_01101862/page/50/
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