Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-04-26
THE EXODUS TO LIBERIA.

On the goth of this month vessel called
the Azor sailed from Charleston, s. c.. bear
ing load, SO to speak, of colored emigrants.
The Azor is bound for Liberia, and her pas
sengers form the first party sent out by the
Exodus association. There are those who
see in this event the beginning of grand
movement that will in no great time reduce
the colored population of this country in
such degree as to materially aid in solving
the problem of the American negro's fu-
ture. There is no doubt that very general
and profound sensation has been produced
among the colored people of the South by
the agitation of the proposed exodus. They
have been disabused of the idea, 80 preva-
lent, and naturally 80, among them for years
after the war closed, that freedom meant
life of idleness. They have also begun to
learn that, in spite of long continued delu-
sive teachings, they cannot hope to compete
as race with their white fellow-countrymen
They must remain hewers of wood and
drawers of water. With such thoughts in
their minds, it is not astonishing that they
have eagerly grasped at suggestion that
shows them possible way to separate them
selves from surroundings that cannot be but
irksome, and their enthusiastic natures cause
them to regard the merest possibilities as
unquestionable facts, and adorn their pros
pective future with tho brilliant coloring of
excited imaginations.
That this commotion among the negroes
will have any permanently important effect
the GLOBE does not believe. Liberia is not
a land of sweet delights. The coast and the
land for some distance back from the coast
is breeding ground for malarial fevers Of
the most deadly kind. Only small pro-
portion of Persons not native to the soil can
become acclimated. Back of this border of
graveyard are dense forests, and the task of
rendering such country inhabitable in
civilized fashion is super-negro, if not super
human. To add to the difficulties of the
situation, the settlement, digni6ed by the
name of Republic of Liberia, is surrounded
by fierce and war-like tribes, against whom
the settlers have never been able to do more
than barely hold their own. The negroes
emigrating, or intending to emigrate. from
America, have probably never heard of these
things, or of others of equally unpleasant
kind. They know that Liberia is in Africa
whence their ancestors came and where they
were happy as happiness goes, and that the
Liberian government has promised to give
twenty five acres of ground to each head of &
family of emigrants. Their information
halts at that point. But by-and-by thei1
stock of knowledge will be increased
The reports sent back by the
advance guard will be awaited with anxiet,
and criticised with intense keenness. Unless
there be another instance Of the tailless TO,
trying to induce his brethren to shorter
their brushes, the reports to come will no
tend to strengthen the inclination to emf
crate. 1t will be found that one must worl
to live in Africa, as well as elsewhere, ant
that to live in Liberian Africa one mus
work under disadvantages totally undreamet
of by the American negro. AS these facts
come to their ears and understandings, tn.
upheaval among the negroes will gradual,
subside, and while scant emigration will
continue to dribble towards Liberia, tn.
great exodus will end it's brief career.