Speech About Liberia

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About the electronic version:
Speech About Liberia
Author: Unknown
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About the original source:
Speech About Liberia
in Papers of Jackson Davis [manuscript], 190-1947.
Author:
, Unknown
Note: [Notes about the original source]
Creation date: Unknown

Revisions to the electronic version:
January 31, 2000 -- Chris Castro, University of Virginia
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    The early history of Liberia is closely connected with that of the United States. After a lapse of years, there has been a recent renewal of these associations. Liberia was settled by freed men from the United States in 1822. In 1800 the Legislature of Virginia requested the Governor to communicate with the President of the United States on the subject of purchasing land without the limits of the state to which freed men might be removed, and Africa was suggested as an appropriate place. In 1816 the American Colonization Society was organized to make possible the colonization of American Negroes in Africa. The United States Acts of 1818 and 1819 declared slave trade to be piracy and provided that Negroes captured from slavery should be safely kept, supported and removed beyond the limits of the United States. Then for quite a period the expenditures and activities of the United States Government and the American Colonization Society were closely interwoven. The history of the settlement of Liberia has many parallels with the settlement of the Colonists in America. The first two attempts in 1820 and 1821 were futile. At first the natives refused to sell land to the commissions but the second effort in 1821 was more successful and they bought a strip of land 150 miles long and 40 miles broad from the coast. The price paid reminds us of the price paid to the American Indians for some of the territory of the United States. It included "muskets, powder, tobacco, umbrellas, hats, soap, calico and other things". The place chosen was known as Montserrado but it was given the name of Monrovia in honor of the President of the United States.

    In 1822 the first permanent settlement by American Negroes was made. The hardships and difficulties of these early settlers were not unlike those of the Colonists at Jamestown and Plymouth Rock. They found themselves in a strange environment, having to contend with hostile tribes and with devastating diseases.

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    Nevertheless these difficulties were successfully overcome and the colony prospered. There followed a period in which various states organized colonization societies and sponsored settlements on adjacent territories. On July 24, 1847 these settlements united as the Republic of Liberia. All came in with the exception of "Maryland in Liberia", which ten years later was received into the Republic of Liberia as Maryland County. In 1848 the Republic of Liberia signed a treaty with Great Britain which settled a number of problems in connection with the adjoining British territories. Soon afterwards Liberia negotiated other treaties with various European governments, thus achieving recognition as a sovereign state.

    Three of these early colonization societies have survived: the American Colonization Society, the New York State Colonization Society and the Trustees of Donations of Boston, Massachusetts. Each of these organizations holds funds entrusted to them and they represent, therefore, some of the earliest American foundations. These funds were left by persons who wanted to see the American Negroes have a country of their own in Africa where they might govern themselves and maintain the political ideals of the United States. The religious motive was prominent in these gifts and requests. One legacy to the New York State Colonization Society provided for the education and religious instructions for the people of Liberia but required that any teacher employed should subscribe to the Articles of the Westminster Catechism.

    Renewed contacts between Liberia and the United States began shortly after the first World War. The Phelps Stokes Fund undertook the survey of education in Africa in 1920-1921. Following this report the three colonization societies, several churches, missionaries, organizations and the Phelps Stokes Fund organized the Advisory Committee on Education in Liberia, pooling their resources. They engaged Mr. James L. Sibley and sent him out in 1925 as educational adviser dealing with the church mission schools and offering his

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    services to the government. Mr. Sibley had previously rendered distinguished service as state agent of Negro rural schools in Alabama and he was a warm friend and admirer of Dr. Booker T. Washington. He played a leading part in the improvement of Negro education in the South. In this position he appreciated the fine work by the various church boards and foundations for Negro education in the South.

    In Liberia Mr. Sibley brought about a coordination of the educational work of the various churches, and with the cooperation of the Government of Liberia, he established the Booker Washington Institute at Kakata. Mr. R. R. Taylor, head of the Trade School at Tuskegee Institute went over to assist in planning the trade course and the shop building. Mr. Sibley also secured the services of a Jeanes teacher who was sent over and supported by the Jeanes teachers of the South, These efforts were unfortunately interrupted by Mr. Sibley's untimely death in 1929, but the work has since been carried on and the Booker Washington Institute now has a modest plant, classrooms, dormitories, shops and farm equipment and operates a program of practical education in agriculture and various trades, together with academic studies modeled after the plan so admirably carried out at Tuskegee Institute by the late Booker Washington.

    The development of the Firestone rubber plantations has created new demands and new opportunities and Mr. Harvey Firestone has generously helped in the strengthening of this institution. The Trustees of the Booker Washington Institute represent that continued interest, friendship and understanding between the United States and Liberia. Just as private foundations and the churches through their mission boards led the way in Negro education in the South for the splendid developments of the modern public school system and the state colleges which are now found in the Southern States, so Booker Washington Institute, the College of West Africa and other mission schools in Liberia are meant to assist in preparing the way for larger developments of education in the future. The

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    General Education Board, the oldest of the Rockefeller boards, had as one of its major interests the assistance of the South in the development of Negro education. Since its establishment in 1902, this Board has appropriated more than $40,000,000 in various phases of Negro education. Having gone through great discouragements, facing lack of trained teachers, a low level of economic life, inadequate revenues, tax resources and indifference or hostility to the Idea of providing education at public expense, the South is undergoing a tremendous change. We are still a long way from overcoming the handicaps and from reaching the desired standard of education in the country for the large areas of the South in which most of the Negro population is found, but even these areas are making great progress and they are headed in the right direction. Early efforts of the Board and the churches have stimulated self help on the part of the colored people and greatly increased appropriations from public funds. We like to think of the same type of constructive influence in Liberia as an expression of American friendship to the people of Liberia In their effort to educate and develop human and natural resources.

    The Rockefeller Foundation is happy to give this luncheon in honor of his excellency President Barclay and Justice Tubman, President Elect, and in recognition of the efforts of the Trustrees of the Booker Washington Institute, as well as the Trustees of the Colonization. Societies, the Advisory Committee on Education in Liberia, the Phelps Stokes Fund, and church Boards interested in education in Africa.

    The General Education Board is limited by charter to the United States. The Rockefeller Foundation is engaged in Africa chiefly in the field of public health. There is no more thrilling story than the fight against the great scourges of mankind, such as yellow fever, hookworm, malaria, sleeping sickness, etc. Much of the richest portions of tropical countries will be handicapped until these

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    diseases are overcome or at least brought under control. It is a pleasure to point out, however, that one of the last acts of the International Educational Board, which was set up by Mr. John D. Rockefeller, Jr., was making two appropriations to Liberia: $13,000 for building and equipment at the Booker Washington Institute, and $5,000 to the College of West Africa in Monrovia for books for its library and equipment for its laboratories.

    Liberia stands as a symbol. Through many vicissitudes it has maintained its independence. That in itself is a notable achievement. Liberia is a demonstration in Africa of a self-governing country with political ideals similar to our own. It has a great opportunity as well as a heavy responsibility to lead the way in the education and development of all its cittizens. Native Africa is probably on the eve of new development. Some of the colonial territories have made great strides in economic improvement, in education and in opportunity for the people to share in the benefits of modern technical skill.

    Liberia has the chance to show that a Negro Republic dedicated to democratic ideals can have stability and order; that its humblest citizen can be protected and made secure in his person and in his property; that the natural resources of the country ean be developed and placed in the world's markets; that public health can be safeguarded by the best means known to medical science; that its people can be educated and put into possession of the cultural heritage of mankind and given technical skills of the modern world. We rejoice in the progress that has been made in Liberia and we assure you of our sympathetic understanding and of our best wishes as you press forward to the realisation of these ideals.