Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-05-14
THE NEGRO EMEGR iTION MOVE
MEEF


the negro as an Initiative animal, and
50 long IS the whites indulge in annual
conventions, Nashville may expect to
witness at least one black eonven-
ton IN the course Of each year. May
seems to be the favorite month for meet.
ings of all kinds, religious anniversa.
ries, scientific assemblies and army re-
unions, perhaps because the nascent
spring develops in the genus homo a de-
sire to get up" and travel somewhere.
Something Of this animus evidently in
spires the convention that is to meet IN
this city next Wednesday, the 10Th for
It's main object, so far as we can learn,
Is to discuss the desirability and FEAST
biity Of a general exodus Of negroes
from Tennessee. We remember a con-
vention Of similar complexion last year,
but are not sure about its objects and
results. Something was said about
stamping the brand of Judas" on
somebody perhaps the editor of the
KaosUiIle Chronicle can state whether
1t was done. There was some talk
about raising some funds to get one
black Galloway out Of the penitentiary
for marrying a white woman; if the
funds were ever raised, they must have
been swamped in the Freedman's
Bank.
But Civil Rights mas had its day, and
this year the negroes have a new kink
IN their wool. Some white enthusiasts
have thought the only way to solve the
race problem would be to COLOMBO the
negroes IN one Of the Western terri
tories. The latter propose, however,
to colonize themselves. In many coun-
ties around Nashville, the fever to 90
West is certainly strongly developed,
so far as we can judge Of a race which
preserves clannish secresy and blindly
follows its blind leaders. Whether
this notion arises from their natural
restlessness, or from the declarations
of their old political leaders, who,
finding their occupation gone, have
struck n new hobby, we do not know.
Possibly the sturdy attitude against
Civil Rights taken by the East Tennes-
see Republicans las5 fall has Disguised
them with Tennessee. Certain it is,
that 50 long as the Republican party
held the reins of power in this State,
the idea of emigration never found
Judgment IN the negro brain.
Whatever the cause, whether evan
escent or permanent, we have to face
the fact that the convention of next
Wednesday is liable to give a wide.
spread impetus TO the emigration
movement. In such affairs, the more
sensible portion who oppose hasty ac-
ton ard novel experiments generally
stay at home, while the advocates Of a
new departure attend in force. The
right Of the negro to push Westward,
take up public lands, and grow up
with the country, VIII oe questioned by
none, and it is doubtful whether any
thing said by the UNION AND AMERI-
CAN to deter the movement would have
any effect, because it has been the mis-
fortune Of the blacks since the war
to listen to designing advcntm-
ers and turn deaf ear
10 their old and lifelong friends. !
Yet We may say that, Of all the white |
men who ever left Tennessee to better
their condition, ninc-tenths have been |
glad to get back. They generally |
leave with enough money to buy new |
homes; but IN a little while they sell |
out at d sacrifice and return to Ten
nessee with broken fortunes. The Ne
gro labors under a terrible mistake if /
he thinks he can make an easier living
among the close-fsted, economical peo-
pie Of the West, than among easy
going, liberal Southerners who under
stand his peculiaTities. Nothing could
be mo-c unfortunate for him than to
fall among men who would treat him
as an absolute equal, and would there
fore exact from him all they de-
mand Of their own color. The very
fact that Southerners do lot re-
gard him as a social equal enables
them to make allowance for
his weaknesses. The Radical theory
is false, cruelty false, because it VIC.
lates nature.
In regard to the practical effects Of
negro emigration from Tennessee, We |
no fears. In the first place,
the proportion that could raise the
necessary means is not large. Secondly,
it mist be confessed that, if the means
were forthcoming, our cities and vii
ages would be better off for the emf.
grafton Of a class Of lazzaroni, whom
Southern lepiency leaves at large, but
whom Northern thrift would place on
the changing as Migrants without
visible means of support. Thirdly, it
is among these idicrs that the epidemic
takes the strongest hold. Those who I
work and are scIf-supporting do
we'll and have no wish to
migrate. There is abundance Of work,
work, IN Tennessee for !
all the muscular energies within her
borders. Very few who are worth re-
tanning can be carried of 10y this new
fever. While anxious for increased
We prefer quality to
quantity. If an exodus Of negroes
should compel more industry among
5le whites, 1t Will prove 50 much the
better forthc latter The Anglo-Saxon
is, and in all ages has been, self sup
porting. The Radical notion that
Southern whites depend On negro Labor
s..sr, 91.rs4t ahEurdirv The cfTaruingc7-