Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-05-22
re NEGRO EXODUS.

VAII4AA1No $500 N4C WAAAS
people, forgetial Of all past favors and
the liberal policy adopted by the Demo
cratic party Of the State FIVE years ago
and listening to the false representations
Of interested persons, they have resolved,
in some localities at least, to migrate to
the golden plains Of Kansas. They
held a sort Of a convention at Nashville
the other day, thus afording a few Of
their leaders an opportunity to display
their ignorance, gerity and reckless dis
regard for truth. One Of them, in a.
pompous burst Of indignation, recitedl
as one Of his wrongs, that when he
went to attend one Of the revival meet
ings Of White and Bliss that he
was met at the door BY one Of the rebels,
who was about to seat him among people
of bis own color. But he could not be
imposed on that way, and showed heels
by boldly walking of. Long harangues
Of such nonsense was i~ndulgedin. Nov
We hope the white people Of Williamson.
Maury, Bedford, Rutherford and the
other rich counties of that 9section will
have the good sense to encourage this
movement. The negroes have been free
and untrammeled these ten long years,
and had all the encouragement that the
State and Federal governments could
bestsw. If they cannot now make a
support, let them 60 to their ..iends in
Kansas, where they will find their forty
acres and two mules. We think it bet
ter, whenever practicable, TO separate
the races. Let the negro colonize
wherever he will-nOt in vast
bodies, for that is imprac-
ticable; but when a neighborhood
concludes to move out fsom an old
settlement, by all means let them 90, for
they are certain to never get back, and
their places will Ell up with thrifty
Northern men, Germans, Norweigans,
Irish, Scotch or some other nationality
Of people who viii become owners of the
soil and help to develop the resources of
the country. It is shrevdly suggested
that this negro hegira is prompted by
outside railroad agents who get q per
cent. on all the tickets they can sell.
They may stimulate the movement, but ii
has is deeper causes-the deep seated
p~rsjudices of the race against their
former owners, their suspicious nature
and almost impenetrable ignorance.
The fact that they pay no taxes,
not even a poll tax, and yet en-
JOY the full benefit Of public schools,
that they have the same protection
understhe law as the whites, is thrown
away in their insane desire to
move out and SET up for themselves On
the frozen prAiries Of Kansas. Their
convention at Nashville vas a boisterous
affair, little short Of a mob. A set Of
resolutions a column long and tseming
with falsehood, was adopted. We copy
a specimen paragraph:
Unable to cope with our adversaries,
even if SO disposed, BY reason Of our in
ferior numbers, and surpassed By them
IN wealth and education, this convention
in solemn council assembled, with the
fear Of God before their eyes, and with
no malice in their hearts, feel It incum.
bent upon them TO recommend that the
entire colored. population take steps
looking to the early emigration from the
State, believing that in this way only
may they attain unto the full measure Of
their manhood and bring the enjoyment
OF liberty and happiness to themselves
and their children.
Another resolution provides for the or.
ganization Of a board Of commissioners
of emigration to consist Of seven, with
power to appoint agents in each county,
to call a State convention If necessary.
etc. The leaders know better; they know
that they are making dupes Of the fell
lows by playing on their ignorance, and
cfodulity. and prejudice. But let them
80 on. The white people of the State
have done their whole duty toward the
colored and have only been repaid with
base ingratitude. Kansas will suit them
doubtless; il not, they can move south
into Texas If they are not afraid
of getting back among the Democracy.
The bane Of their race bas been their
unprincipled leaders. They will believe
a carpet-bagger in preference to respect.
able old citizens they have known al
their lives. Let them go, by all means,
and gil up their places with a better
class Of people capable Of Federation and
the higher duties Of citizenship and Oh.
legations Of society. Their friend Brown.
low wanted them colonized long ago.
Grant has limited at the same thing, and
it is even limited desired to acquire San
nomingo for that n Rut now that