New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-09-22
The CoIored POpulatiOn-Its Political
Influence and Labor Movements.

Influence and Labor Movements.
! We reproduce the subjoined editorial
article from the New York Herald, though
not adopting, its declarations or sentiments:
One of the most interesting and impor-
| tant questions of the time in this country
| is the status and influence of the negro pop
| uiation, both politically and in an indus
| trial point of view Before the war the
negroes had no political influence, and the
value of their labor could be ascertained
readily in the several States or throughout
the South generally, because it was forced
labor, but the surprising revolution affected
by the war has changed all that From
seven to eight hundred thousand votes have
been added to the aggregate suffrage of
the country, and the labor of four millions
of slaves has become as free and indepen
dent as that of the white population of the
Northern States. There never has been
before in the history of nations such an eX-
traordinary revolution within so short
time. Fortunately, the immediate results
have not been as disastrous as might have
been expected. The natural docility OF tho
negroes and the respect previously incuI-
Gated for the master race in them prevented
serious antagOnisms And when undeceiyed
by time of the false and absurd promises OF
Northern caTpet-baggers, the blacks found
it was necessary to labor for a living as
other people did, they returned to the Guilt
yatiOn of the soil So far the evil conse-
quences to the industry of the South have
not been as great as was feared; but the po-
itieal effects in the future are ominous, and
give cause for serious apprehension. Local
interests and the necessity of harmony be-
tween the two races in the South are lost
sight of through the influence of political
parties, and race is arrayed against race.
There. are now, with rare exceptions, only |
the negro party and the white party in that |
section of the republic. This must, IN the |
end, result most disastrously. 1t is the in
clpient step to war of races, and for this |
state Of things our politicians are response |
BILE.
With view. therefore, to study this
problem as regards the future, both polit-
lcally and economically, we propose tom
tice the movement of the negro population
in the United States, and particularly in
the Southern States. The law Of the move
ment has not yet been sufficiently deyeI-
Oped to be announced in definite proper
ton and limit. Statistics do not now much
aid the inquiry; they may, after one or two
decades, enlighten and guide investigation;
but they furnish some clues, and, together
with other materials and observations win
assist speculation to some reasonable deduc-
tiOnso Only one census Q870) has been ia
ken since the actual manumission of the
slaves in 1865; and during that period no
unusual or notable 9nigratI0ns on general
scale occurred. In the autumns of 1870
and 1871 changes 3BUr8 marked were abo
served,
Experienced Southerners can at present
best draw conclusions in regard to the pro-
Dable movements the character habits and
1rOcllvltes OF the negroes their social and
political relations; the nature of The climate
soil and agricultural products Of the South,
md knowledge of the geographical stu
itiOnS where tpmnppafI1rp. oultIra nd fJ,a
character of land and living are peculiarly
suitable to the negrOe wall supply data to
he rejecting Observer
OF the animal kingdom mas IS the FEAST
Elected by climate ANY of the races Gano
" acchmation through one or more genero
.tions,, become Injured to any part OF the
or hunting portions of the earth.
The distribution of mankind nveY 10 has
ever been eonstraineds however partially
tfected. by isOthermaI lines. Bus OF these
aces the black has been the most confined | 4
within such lifnitss
The negro is peculiarly tropical. The
olor and texture Of his skin largely CON
riiSute to this constitutional nature. in
his we find what is aud what will be a DO
he negro populations In the United States
he general How of their migration will be
This tendency will be increased
2 the influence OF The facts that in the ! |
'armer States production is more spone l
aneous, lighter and cheapeS clothing and !
GOD are emily requisite, less fuel is needed. ! :
nd she. least costly habitations are suit. {
bic. The negroes will steadily emigrateo :
nder the fixed action of these causes. from
delaware Maryland. Virginia. Missouri. 1
,orth Carolina Kentucky and she upper :
nd middle sections Ot Tennessee. Soutl. /
arolina and Georgia 90 the either and more {
outhern portions of the South. This was | I
le general fact even during !siayerys and /
he experience of the past confirms the de- q
uction that it will in the future. when less
causes will exists be snoEs unio |
ersalo
observe the annesetf sable, Which shows G
&c percentage of gain and the relation Of |
ain of the negro population Of She South. t
~ States $oy she decade ty0H 1850 10 1860: f