Page:The future of Africa.djvu/95

Rh ternal ventures we should be achieving the commercial independence of Liberia, or, at least, giving it mastery and might. I am no merchant, and I have in no way whatever, a direct interest in the mercantile affairs of Liberia; but as a citizen I do endeavor to study the best interests of our Commonwealth, and to scan closely all that affects her fortunes. We are all descendants of Africa, and hence we claim a special interest in, and a peculiar right to, her fruits, her offerings, and her gifts. But after all, how very limited is our participation therein! I hear of ivory, and oils, and dyes, and precious woods, and gold; flowing from all parts of this western coast to foreign lands, to enrich their princely merchants, and to build up their great houses. We all see here that fine line of steamers, which, according to her wont, shows that England knows how to appropriate with skill and effect the resources of foreign lands to her own good; and we hear, likewise, of projected "Ebony lines," for the increase of foreign wealth and luxury. And to all this I bave no objection whatever, because it is the legitimate and the healthful process and result of commerce. It may be that such a one as I,—a man more busied with books, and papers, and sermons, than with ledgers, accounts, and prices current,—should not venture to speak upon these matters. But I must say, nevertheless, that I should like to see some of these great bouses here; and to recognize, as some of these princely merchants, the merchants of our own town and country, citizens of this Republic! I