The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-06-25
The Future OF the, ,colored Popula-
ton.

The Future OF tho ,colored PopuIa-
tton.
The following interesting article is
from the New York Sun, a moderate
conservative and well conducted Jour-
nal:
The growth of population is 90.
verned by certain laws which make it
quite possible to form approximately
correct estimates as to the future.
The last census of the United States,
! taken in 1860, showed the population
at that time to be 81, 443, 322. With
these statistics, and knowledge of
the previous rate Of increase, it may
safely be estimated that the popula-
tion at the present time is about
35,000,00 Supposing the same rate
of increase to continue, the popu-
lation in 1870 would be AZ, 900, 900; in
1880, $4,000, 900; in 1890, $1,000, 900:
and i'll the year 1900, there would be
within the territory of the United
States about 100,000,0OO inhabitants
1t is interesting, in this connection,
to note the difference between the
rate OF increase of the white and Of
the negro populations. In the year
1870, the total number of colored per-
sons Ill the United States was 757, 1868;
and i'll 1900, it was about 1000, 900.
In the year 1880, it had increased to
2,32S, 600; and in 1860, it was return
cd at 4,435, 7O9. According to all
estimates on this subject, the rate of
increase Of the colored population
has been gradually diminishing, while
that of the white race has been grow
ing constantly greater. 1t may be
assumed, on this ground, that the
colored population in 100 will be
only 9,491, 459. Even this may be
regarded us liberal estimate, and
large proportion Of that number will
be of mixed descent. Many new
causes will operate against the multi
plicatiOn of the colored race, in
state of freedom, that did not affect
them rs slaves.
Much improvement in the condi-
ton and intelligence of the colored
race will doubtless be effected by en-
couraging their education, and it is
highly proper that every reasonable
opportunity should be freely offered
to people who have so long been
held in bondage. 1t is an incontro-
vertible fact, however, that their ca
paclty for Improvement, as race, is
limited. They will be likely to excel
III music and dancing, and will pro-
gross greatly in aesthetics; but no
sophistry or partial reasoning can
make it appear that culture alone is
necessary to bring them up to the
standard of the Anglo-Saxon race
Such an argument may answer very
we'll for philanthropic purposes, but
it has nothing to do with the indis-
pntable history of the black race.
lnferiority may have been the origi-
nal cause Of their enslavement, and
not its result, though that furnishes
no justification for their oppression.
The probabilities are now that the
real negro will gradually disappear
from this continent, not by actual
extinction, but by being scattered all
over the States, by mixing with other
races and losing the peculiar charac-
teristics of the African. The negro
population will, by degrees, be wholly
absorbed by and assimilated to the
more vigorous races, by whom they
VIII be constantly surrounded. The
negroes have none of the qualities
that would lead them to form exclu-
sive communities and preserve their
nationality; they look up to the whites
and incline to seek their company.
The negro has none of that pride of
race which distinguishes the Indian,
and hence the great probability that,
In the course of years, the former will
be lost sight of in the great and rapid
march of civilization on this CONT
nent.