The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-04-24

The telegraph gives the country intelli-
gence of the departure from Charleston. |
s. c., for Liberia, of ship load of colored |
emigrants. The special inducements held |
out to the colored people of the south to
migrate to Africa is passage at nominal
cost and gift of twenty five acres of land
as homestead. Strange as it may seem.
those who know the general characteristics
of the race, ARE aware the desire of owner
ship in land has been one of their strong and
ruling characteristics, Immediately after
the war of rebellion the prevailing belief
among the colored people was that this
government was about to bestow upon
each male adult mule and plantation.
The proposition, however absurd it may
have appeared to intelligent white people,
has always been one of their cherished
notions and most earnest desires. The
failure oftheir expectations may have con-
tributed its quota to the now aroused
desire for emigration. Another reason,
and probably more potent stills their dis
appointment as to their social status. The
inestimable gift Of citizenship and manhood
suffrage is of less practical value, or rather
is held in less personal esteem, than would
be any sensible recognition Of social
equality. This, from the nature of things
and the inevitable antagonism of the color
line has proven an illusory hope, and the
lapse Of years only makes the race more
sensible of the impossibility of their ever
attaining their ambition in that direction.
While it is possible that two races of such
positive differences in distinctive qualities
as the white and black may dwell together
upon the same soil, and it may even be
possible that equality of citizenship may
exist and be respected, all social and caste
restrictions will continue to exist and in
crease in strength from generation to
generation. India is an example of
diversified races and an immensely
populated country in which the sys-
tenn of caste hes created such
barriers as to be impossible to remove
without destroying the whole fabric of
society, and where social recognition outside
of the caste 10 which the person is born is
simply an impossibility, Such a state Of
affairs will ultimately attain between the
whites and blacks of the south, does now
exist to all intents aud purposes, anG
socially the colored man is subordinated Il
the position of an inferior. The grea
mass of the race undoubtedly are no
versed ID the states of social life, and know
little of the laws which govern the relation
of races and peoples, but they understand
enough of the actual facts of the case t.
realize the inevitable. The opening t
Liberia, under such circumstances, offer
them hopes, and encouragement for in
, dividual freedom and happiness in socia
relations, which theysnever expect t
realize here, and the prospect tallies wit
= the desire which they naturally and ardentl
cherish To the south itself, the exodu
of any considerable portion of the Iaborin
class would be a serious loss and one DC
easily supplied. What the real advantage
to the colored people will ultimately be b
their expatration is difficult to foresee, G
= even conjecture with any reasonable degre
Il of certainty. The Hebrew nation are an e.
" ample of a people escaping out of bondag
and ultimately making o remarkable II
a cord in the worlds history, The bondag
: Of the colored race in this country ma
L have prepared them in some good degre
. to achieve nationality and history on th
= shores Of Africa, 1t will depend much upo
the inherent qualities aud capabilities
y the race. The warmest hearted vel
. wisher Of the colored man will feel not
70 little hesitation in regard to the wisdom {
lie propriety of the present movement, an
If will hope for the best while he may grave
o doubt whether success will crown the
g efforts.