CHAPTER XXVII.
HOME-LIFE OF LIBERIAN WOMEN.
"The hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that moves the world."
Nowhere is the truth of this familiar adage more clearly exemplified than in the young negro republic—"The Lone Star"—Liberia.
As we look back through the vista of years to the time before Liberia's corner-stone was laid, at the very beginning of the country's existence, we find woman at work, exerting her influence and exhausting her talents and strength to make its foundation sure. Her influence, the lever power which raises nations, which moves the world, has ever been a potent factor in advancing the welfare of the country. She has ever been willing and ready to share its burdens, encounter its obstacles and struggles and endure its hardships.
This assertion is evidenced by the fact that soon after the arrival of the first colonists or emigrants in the country, which was at Monrovia, in 1821, the native chiefs perceived that, in all probability, the coming to their shores, to live in their midst, of Christian women would interfere with their nefarious traffic in slavery, which had long prevailed in the neighborhood. Therefore, regardless of the treaty by which they had ceded the territory, they determined to destroy the settlement if they could. The temporary dwellings that had been slightly and hastily put up were consumed by the torch in the hand of these natives. In the wake of the flames came the African fever, but the pioneer Liberian women said that
"The bravest are the tenderest,
The loving are the daring."
And thus saying, they faced these, braved them undaunted, and continued to battle with and hold at bay the natives, rebuild their houses, and in June, 1822, with the assistance of their brothers and copartners in the struggle, laid the corner-stone of the Republic of Liberia, upon the site whereon to-day stands the beautiful capital city, Monrovia.
When, in these dark days, these trying ordeals through which Liberian womanhood passed, they were importuned to quit these anxious scenes of warfare and flee to British settlements or return to America, they replied, in the language of the brave, heroic leader, Elijah Johnson, and said, "No, sirs; we have been for years hunting and searching for a home, and we have found it and .shall stay here." They stayed, too, and labored faithfully until their change came—until they were invited to cease toiling and cross over the silent river of time and rest beneath the tall palms that dot the fair plains of eternity. But ere their departure they solemnly enjoined upon their daughters to prove themselves polished stones in the nation's temple, the foundations of which only the judgment day will reveal the hardships, the sorrows and anguish which their mothers experienced in assisting to lay—in short, to be nothingless than true, faithful women of purpose and determination.
The pioneer women of Liberia were missionaries, soldiers and counselors and directors in matters of state as well. They were women of peace, too, just the angels that young Liberia mostly needed at that time; and while they exhausted every effort to preserve it, they failed. Hostilities, wars and famines were their constant companions. The native chiefs, the very ones who had sold the land, would have no pleas for peace. With these brave heroines it was now battle or famine unto death, with the greatest doubts as to the results. These women of peace here became women of war. They helped their stronger allies plan fortifications, mount cannon, distribute ammunition; they served as picket guards, and in other ways encouraged, assisted, stimulated and inspired those who struggled to strike, strike till there could be no relaxation of vigilance—till the enemy were repulsed. The energetic pioneers, enfeebled by severe and protracted self-denials, would spend sleepless nights with fever and then work all day building breast-works, stockades and clearing the dense forest in front of their few pieces of artillery. Thus passed many dark and rainy days,
"Some days must be dark and dreary,"
until early in November in that year more than eight hundred natives, with war-paint and whoop, made a concentrated attack on the settlers' most outlying stockade. And had these natives, numbering more than ten to one of their antagonists, not stopped to plunder, they could have swept the settlement, by one determined rush, into the sea. Danger so imminent was a tonic that not even the African fever could withstand.
Having performed duty oft and well, as preachers of righteousness, as missionaries of peace, they, as Liberia's pioneer women, are now called on to experience the greatest battle in the history of the country in which women were participants. When in this crisis the women rallied the men retreating from the stockades, brought a cannon to bear upon the plunderers, which was fired by Mrs. Newport, wdiose memory is yet fresh in the minds of and will ever be preserved in the casket of precious recollections by every true Liberian. The Newport Guards, a military company of Monrovia, has, ever since her hazardous but decisive fire of cannon, perpetuated her memory by bearing her name. This woman, with other noble heroines, heading a charge as the natives hesitated, panic-stricken, by sudden and unexpected discharge of cannon, drove them, crestfallen, to the cover of the forest, and Liberia was saved.
"The oak grows stronger
By the winds that toss its branches."
It will not be putting the remark too strongly to repeat with emphasis, that from the very foundation of Liberia woman, with her modest demeanor and decision of purpose, has made as great and as glorious an impress upon the pages of Liberian history as have the most illustrious of their sterner companions; yes, she has wrought equal with others to achieve glory for, and to enhance the grandeur and magnificence of the country.
Among the sainted women who were present and assisted in laying the foundations broadly and deeply on which the fabric of Liberia's liberties shall rest to the remotest generations; among the noble-hearted women who labored assiduously and arduously, in suushine and in rain, to push forward the civilizing work among the heathen natives of Liberia and raise the bright and morning star of freedom and religion over this portion of Africa; good women who possessed great souls and breathed a sentiment which said:
"Give to the winds thy fears!
Hope, and be undismayed;
God hears thy sighs and counts thy tears,
God shall lift up thy head!"
women who, though dead, still live in the hearts of Liberians, are Mrs. Newport, the warrior; Mrs. Elijah Johnson, the far-sighted statesman; Mrs. Teage, the jurist; Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Yates, Mrs. Richardson, Mrs. Moore, Mrs. Payne and Mrs. Elizabeth Roberts.
Much of the prosperity which Liberians enjoy to-day is largely due to the ceaseless efforts of the good women whose names are mentioned above. But there are still some few remaining who have not yet gone on to join their mothers in that rest, sweet rest; who have caught hold where the pioneer sisters left off and have gone on steadily to work, building: and fostering the nation's institutions.
These women are now actively on the stage of responsible life in Liberia, giving inspiration, influencing the building of breastworks and stockades, not, however, like those which their mothers erected, of stocks and staves, but of earnest prayer, consecrated to God: Mrs. President Cheeseman, Mrs. ex-President Johnson, Mrs. ex-President Payne, Mrs. General Sherman, Mrs. L. A. Johnson, Mrs. B. J. Barclay, Mrs. H. A. Williams, Mrs. Henry Cooper, Mrs. Caroline R. Moore, Mrs. Martha Ricks, Mrs. A. D. Williams, Mrs. C. T. O. King, Mrs. A. B. King, Mrs. W. D. Coleman, Mrs. Georgie Dennis, Mrs. Z. H. Roberts, Mrs. J. H. Deputy, Mrs. Watson, Mrs. I. N. Roberts, Mrs. Bishop Ferguson, Mrs. G. W. Gibson, Mrs. F. B. Perry, Mrs. I. C. Dickinson, Mrs. Colonel Jones, Mrs. June Moore, Mrs. Solomon Hill, Mrs. Decoursey, Mrs. Hagans, Mrs. T. W. Howard, Mrs. A. Barclay, Mrs. Sarah Blyden, Mrs. Dr. Moore, Mrs. Travis, Mrs. C. A. Pittman, Mrs. J. E. Sharpe, Mrs. E. C. McGill, Mrs. J. S. Washington, Mrs. Clement Irons, Mrs. Worrell and Miss E. C. Payne.
To give, or to even attempt to give in this short chapter, a sketch of the life and labors of each lady whose name appears herein is a task quite impossible for the writer to perform now; suffice, however, to say that these ladies have moved a long way from the lowly huts of the pioneer women.
Among them is represented every known grace and refinement which the women of other countries enjoy. They live in a goodly land, occupy comfortable, yea, luxurious homes, where none dare molest—where none can make them afraid.
E. E. Smith,
Recent United States Minister to Liberia.