Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-04-26
naiIp Ksnnsbet Journal.
Augusta, Saturday MOrn'g, April &c. 1879
The Negro Exodus.

in like manner as did the events attending
the early settlement of Kansas. Then the
efforts of the slave holders to add another
slave State TO those in which human bond
age was legalized and entrenched, kindled
such fire of Indignation throughout the
free North. that Kansas was not only Sc
cured TO freedom, but the whole fabric of
slavery, wherever it existed, was essen
tally weakened. The attention of the
people was turned by that struggle in
Kansas to a sharp consideration Of its
causes. As consequence Indifference to
the colored race gave way in the North to
intense interest. Men began TO realize
the horrors of slavery. Their eyes were
opened and their ears unstopped. Buchanan
was elected by the slave power in 1886,
but with his administration went out the
ability of the South to control the gov
eminent. The great rebellion followed.
Then came the emancipation of the blacks
and the guarantee to them of equal civil
and political rights.
Again the country is beginning to be
deeply moved concerning the condition of
the colored people of the South For
Ell the North to the wrongs inflicted upon
the blacks by their old masters. These
have been only partially successful. The
cry about the waving of the bloody shirt
seen in doughface journals; the gushing
talk about reconciliation the falsehoods
about the carpet-baggers the reports of
the good treatment extended to the blacks
and their perfect contentment with their
circumstances the betrayal of the cause
of the humble and oppressed that polit-
zeal faction or the mercenaries of our COM
mercial centres might advance their pc
culiar interests; these and many more
causes had the effect to cool the ardor of
republicans, and even in many cases to
carry them over into the ranks of those
who steadily supported slavery while it
had an existence and gave their influence to
the South as far as they dared in its wick
ed and bloody attempt to destroy the best
government in the world.
Knowing that a fierce election is coming
in 1880, and having learned from the ex-
perience of 1876 that there will be no
peace or safety in the South next year for
black men who dare oppose the EXON
federate democracy, the negroes are leav-
H.. q
Kansas as their place of refuge and future
home. The democrats say this is the work
of agents sent among them by republicans.
1t is rather general persecution of the race,
universal knowledge and fear of the fate
which awaits them should they remain in
the South during the coming Presidential
election, which causes this general exc
dus. They have been compelled to go or
fare worse. The negroes would never
leave the South as they are leaving it,
penniless. shelterless, almost naked, were
they not driven to it by the pitiless cruel
ty of their oppressors.
So this amazing movement, so startling
and strange that it seems to be directed by
the same hand that led the Israelites out
of Egypt, is now appealing to the sympa-
thy and charity of Northern communities.
and at the same time turning Indignation
against that Solid South whose crimes
against humanity have caused the volun-
tary flight of the blacks from the land of
a. 18th I ct
ing was held in New York, at which the
wrongs of the negroes were related, and
appeals made for pecuniary assistance
which were generously responded to.
But it was in Faneul Hall, the old "cradle
of liberty" on Wednesday, that the for
mer spirit of resistance to wrong and OPP
preston was boldly and eloquently man.
ifested, and the most fitting words spoken
for the occasion In that meeting there
was no discordant note. The honest truth
was spoken. The old anti-slavery leaders
again came to the front, and while they
plead for aid to the homeless blacks, they
fearlessly spoke of past duty neglected
and denounced that atrocious spirit now
attempting to seize and WELD the power
of this government in the interest of those
who fought four years to destroy it. LET
the edict go FORTH said VIM. Lloyd CARR
son in letter to the meeting, trumpet
tongued. that there shall be speedy end
put to all this bloody misrule that no dis
organizing Southern theory of State rights
shall defantly dominate the Federal gov
ernment, to the subversion of the Consti-
tuition; that the millions of loyal colored
citizens at the South, now under ban and
virtually DISTINGUISHED. shall be put in the
safe enjoyment of their rights-shall freely
vote and be fairly represented Just where
they are located. And let the rallyine-
cry be heard, from the Atlantic to the Pa
ciie coast. I.iber'y and equal rights for
each, for all, and for ever, wherever the
lot of man is cast within our broad do
mains ~
1t is folly to believe that the drifting
policy on the part of the North is going
to settle the questions which stare us il
he e. 4.