The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-04-18

she was to have sailed from Charleston, by
large excess in the number of persons who
had taken passage and slowed their effects
on board. law of Congress limits the
number of passengers on emigrant ships by
rules founded on the amount of their tom
mage, and it was found when the Azor was
ready to sail and applied for clear
ance that she had one-fourth more
passengers than could be legally
carried on a vessel of her SIZE The
time required for getting out the goods Of
such as cannot 60 detains the vessel in
port. This large excess of passengers is
significant as attesting the popularity OF
the movement The number of negroes
desiring to emigrate exceeds the means of
transportation, and knowledge of this fact
will give fresh impetus to the movement.
1t has strongly seized the susceptible mag
nations of the freedmen, and is destined to
grow to constantly larger proportions.
That the Southern negroes have not only
the population but the pecuniary means to
supply a constant stream Of emigration to
the native land Of their ancestors is beyond
reasonable question. To be satisfied on
this point we have only to consider the
amount of money they deposited and lost
in the Freedmans Savings Bank. Their
deposits were shining proof Of their habits
of thrift, and their losses implied such an
abuse OF their confidence as fatally discour-
aged that form Of economy. Considering
that they had but just emerged from serv-
itude, and that in the first years OF
their freedom they lacked experience,
were without capital and had not
yet acquired the habit Of self-depend-
ence, their deposits in the Freedmans
Savings Bank was highly credltable
to the character and capabilities of their
race. The insolvency Of that swindling in
stitution must have dampened their hopes
of fair treatment by the dominant race, and
have prepared them to look with favor on
other suggested means of improving their
condition. The political events Of the last
two years have convinced them that they
are hereafter to be excluded from politics
and Office, and that they have but slender
chances in this country Of a career worthy Of
an honorable ambition. These discouraging
circumstances have made them eager listen
ers to the apostles of the EXODUS Associa-
tion." That organization, which is already
strong in South Carolina and is growing
into Importance in Louisiana, seems likely
to spread all over the South and enlist the
most capable and enterprising portion OF the
freedmen. Their large early deposits in the
Ga
their ability to furnish means for emigra-
ton, and if the first colonists should do
we'll and send back favorable accounts no
limit can be placed to the future magnitude
OF the exodus. It's growth will be gradual,
because the pecuniary means by which
it is sustained will for some years be
the savings Of the colored population. But
the prospect it holds out will be a strong
stimulus to frugality, and tens Of thousands
Of negroes will begin to make the accumu-
lations necessary for paying their passage
and establishing themselves in Africa. The
Azor will Immediately return from Mon
rovia for second trip, and if the number
of applicants should be as much in excess
OF its capacity and accommodations as in
the present voyage other vessels will DO
purchased for the same service, and there
will soon be regular line Of emigrant ships
plying between our Southern ports and the
west coast Of Africa.
This interesting movement must not be
considered as q revival OF the old American
Colonization Society, organized some sixty
wears since, which founded the black Re-
public Of Liberia. The purpose of that So
cety was 10 rid the country of its free ne
groes in order that their example might not
excite discomfort among the slaves But
this new movement is spontaneous enter
prise Of the colored population, inspired by
hopes Of lettering their condition, of escap-
ing the sense Of inferiority, Of finding ca
reer open to talents, and, though last,
perhaps not least, by an enthusiastic
and imaginative yearning toward the native
seat of their race These commendable
and honorable sentiments and the self
sustained practical arrangements to carry
them into effect are the best proof that has
vet been offered to the world of negro
capacity, intelligence, foresight and self
proud contrast for the African race-that
these dark-hued men and women,
whose savage ancestors were brought
across the Atlantic, subject to all the
cruelties and atrocities Of the middle
passage, sail to the shores from which
their progenitors were torn, in q
ship owned by negro proprietors, manned
by negro seamen and carrying hopeful
body OF negro freemen to lay the founda-
tions Of q Republic which may become
the cradle OF African civilization. The
attention of all Christendom has Of late
been strongly directed to Africa, as it was
four centuries ago to America after its dis
covery by Columbus; and the infant settle
ments in the New World which followed the
voyages OF discovery are likely to have par