Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-05-15

from the Harrisburg Patriot
All accounts from the west and south
indicate that there is little check 10 the
negro exodus TO Kansas. 1t is evident
that the reports of returning wanderers
in regard to this Land of Promise have
had no effect. All the reasons urged In
the New Orleans convention against
the movement were spoken 10 the
winds, and the convention concluded
by appointing n committee to promote
the exodus. In the deception that has
been systematically practiced upon the
poor negroes they have been persuaded
that congress would come TO their aid.
This hope has been strengthened by the
propositions OF Gen. Garfield in the
house and Mr.. ingalls, in the senate
that congress appropriate 100000 TO
purchase tents and provisions for the
em igrants. There is no doubt that mo.
tives Of humanity have prompted these
propositions. The poor wanderers who
have been so grossly deceived deserve
the most sincere pity in their distrcss,
but this money, II appropriated, would
confirm them in their deception, and
by inducing false hopes would give a
fresh impetus 10 the emigration.
In support Of his proposition Senator
Ingalls, referred to the generosity Of
congress in the cases of the Mississippi
overflow and the yellow fever scourge.
But the comparison between these two
calamities and the voluntary emigration
Of negroes from the south halts consid.
erably. In the overflow Of the Mississ.
ippi and in the yellow fever visitation
the distress was not imaginary. The
negroes incur no danger in remaining
in their southern homes while in this
fanatical movement they run upon Ger.
tain distress. That partisan considera-
tions have had their weight in siimu.
lating this exodus il obvious from the
demonstration of certain republican
leaders in Washington and elsewhere
Gen. Butler with his usual frankness
recently declared that the whole move
ment had its origin in party considera.
tions. II is not long since Blaine in n
speech in the senate developed politi.
cal programme to deprive the south Of
representation in congress TO the OK.
tent to- which II rests on negro votes
and leaky delegate in the recent New
Orleans convention has blurted out the
admission that the exodus has no other
object than 10 deprive the southern
states Of thirty five votes in congress
and thus break down the democratic
majority. The democratic majority are
asked at the same time to encourage
this movement with an appropriation.
II has been the curse Of the negroes
OF the south that they have been treat
ed ever since their enfranchisement "a
the mere pawns in the game Of the re.
publican party for power. That they
are now used as the tools in heartless
political intrigue is another proof Of
their cbildlike want of independence.
IL Is not TO be expected that the ma
jority in congress will defray the cost
Of this exodus from the public treasury.
Instead of encouraging IL congress
should make every reasonable effort 10
stop its progress. II this appropriation
be made IL would only be followed by a
demand for more. When the colored
population remaining behind see that
the emigrants instead OF receiving man.
ma from heaven are supplied 1T the ex.
pense Of the United States treasury
there would be no restraining the exc.
dus. The south would be depopulated.
and Ohio, Illinois and Missouri would be
overrun by hundreds Of thousands Of
famished outcasts. This appropriation
Of 100000 demanded by Senator In.
gals would be but triAe compared
with the cost to the whole land.