The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-11-30


among the South Carolina negroes than
was generally anticipated 1t was in
South Carolina that the Liberian scheme
originated. 1t was preached in all the col
ored churches, and the negroes were taught
to liken their return to Africa to the exodus
| of the Israeltes from the land of bondage to
the promised land. But, although emigra-
grafton meetings were largely attended and
sermons on this subject numerous nothing
was done beyond mere talk, and after several
months work the movement was In just the
same condition as at its beginning.
Some smart negroes then suggested the
idea of appealing to Congress to aid them in
this matter. The negroes had been taught in
the past that whenever money was needed
for any enterprise they had only to call on
Congress and 1t, or rather the people, would
pay it out. Several grabs, running from
$50, 900 fora Liberian railroad to $780, 600 900 to
take the negroes from the South to Africa,
were suggested or proposed. These how
ever, were cody received by Congress. Con-
gress had changed; it was no longer that Re-
publican body over-willing to give canal or
a subsidy for some thousand votes. The
selves thrown on their own responsibility.
and compelled to develop this movement
themselves. In this they displayed consider
able energy.
A Liberian emigration society was organ
lied and a board of directors elected. Sixty
thousand shares of stock, at $40 SHARE were
taken by as many negroes. One-half of this
stock, it was understood, was to be paid up inn
mediately. This, Of course, was not done !;
probably less than a tenth was altogether
subscribed when the day came for the col
lectors to go around after dues. Some money,
however, was raised-enough to inaugurate
the movement by engaging vessel in which
to send an assorted cargo of negroes over to
the malarious African shore.
The emigration Association went to work
at once, hired large building in Charleston
for their office and a vessel to carry emigrants
to Africa. The Mercury was employed for
this purpose and advertised to leave Charles
ton November Is. She did not come to time,
however, having another engagement on
hand, and the emigrants are, therefore, COM
PEELED to wait some time before they can
make this African trip. There are two plans
now proposed: one is to hire the ship Owego
for single voyage; this can be done immedi-
ately. The other is to wait until january,
when they can buy the Mercury, the vessel in
which it was originally proposed the voyage
should be made.
1t is quite probable that at least one ship
load of negroes will be sent to Africa from
South Carolina, unless indeed the officers of
the association should make off with it's
money in the meanwhile. One ship load will
doubtless suffice for both the Liberians and
our citizens of African descent. Even if the
climate of Liberia were not murderous, and
the country utterly barbarous and uncivil-
lied, it is scarcely probable that the Liberians
will welcome such ready made statesmen as
our American citizens of African descent, who
will undoubtedly want to run their politics
for them. We would soon hear the Liberians
growing about carpet-bag negroes.