Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-01-27
AFRICAN MIGRATION WESTWARD

From the Macon tGa.D journal.
Newspaper and oral reports satisfy us
that the negro emigration from Georgia TO
the Southwest, has largely Increased this
years. constantly increasing, and is des-
tined 10 work within a short time impOr-
tant changes in the industrial economy and
condition Of Georgia.
Some attempt was made at the last seg-
sion of the Legislature 10 restrain by Law
the operations Of emigration agents, but we
look for little practical results from legisla-
tive interposition in this matter Labor,
like every other commodity, will seek its
best market and highest price; and if bet
Ter prices can be paid by the planters in
the Mississippi valley and in Texas than by
those who till the light uplands Of Georgia,
some other barrier than the statute book
must be erected against the tide Of emigra-
ton In Georgia we have vanely tried 10
fix prices and regulate trade by law long
enough 10 have learnt BY this time, the
folly and imbecility Of the effort.
The simple and only question which
must settle the business Of negro emigra-
tion is whether, on the whole the freedman
can benefit himself by the change. IL is
true, beyond question that the cultivator
of the rich alluviums Of the Mississippi
can afford 70 pay better prices than the
Georgia planter; but il il also true that the
cmigrant exchanges a healthful for an in
aaluhriouB climate and he sacrifices home
and more or less social enjoyment by the
change. The point il one of private policy
and advantage which should be presented
and discussed by the freedmen and the en-
ployers, and which we hold il 10 be little
short Of folly 10 attempt 10 control by law.
IL is true that the proposed legislation
was based not 80 much upon the notion Of
restraining the emigration Of freedmen in
general as Of preventing the emigration Of
such as would leave young children and
other dependents behind them 10 become
burdens on public and private charity. II
was represented, as we believe truiy that
nearly ever county having a considerable
negro population, had its agent enticing
negroes 10 emigrate, and with great success.
These agents received about ten dollars per
cgpium on all they would ship; and some
of them had sent away hundreds, many Of
whom left families and parents desolate
aud helpless behind them. These agents
accepted few women, and none with encum-
hrances. Asa consequence the proportion
of the sexes was disturbed, families were
separated. and the feeble and unproductive
classes were deprived Of the support Of the
able-bodied,
The evil, II we may credit reports which
come 60 %, Is a great one. For illustration,
we understand that in our neighboring
county Of Monroe, il is estimated that
about two.thirds Of the freed population has
been sent OF By these agents. Spalding
county Is represented 10 have lost quite as
much. Richmond and oil the counties of
the old Black Belt have been the theatres
Of heavy operations ofthis character. The
last Atlanta Intelligence, says every day
witnesses groupe Of one hsndred or more
assembled at the car-shed' in that city
awaiting shipment 10 the West"
But although legislation TO prevent the
desertion Of families by these emigrants is
no doubt unsuitable, il lie Of the class i'm.
practicable. Il would be 20 readily evRded,
as % be worthless. We must accustcm
ourselves TO regard this emigration as a
fixed and irrepressible fact, and forecast
the dsy when Georgia will boast an almost
oxclusi-e white population.