Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-10-16

hiiaself useful upon larger and bet
ter scale to the country generally
But 1t may be claimed aid doubles
is, that if the freedman leaves the
South under the expressions that are
heaped upon him, he yields to an un-
constitutional proceeding on the part
of the dominant classes, and thus
weakens, if he does no: surrender the
right. to demand protection generally.
In answer to this view it might be
said, aud justly, that the freedman
has right to protection, and it ought
to be given him at once, if possible;
bat 1t can hardly be required of the
freedman who desires to leave the
South to remain in his present condi-
ton and sacrifice bimself-make him
self myrtyr in the manner indicated.
In the third place, it is objected
that if there is any considerable emf
grafton from the South, the freedmen
who are left behind will be forgotten
their case ignored. But if the views
here presented be correct, if emigra-
ton will work the results which are
claimed, then this objection is fully
and completely met. The old plan
tocracy is abolished; the slave system
is entirely overthrow and the indus
trial systems of the South reconstruct
ed; all expressions and abuses are re-
moved. Protection and fair wages,
with the prospect of general agricul-
tural improvement and the enjoyment
of all civil and political rights, are
guaranteed, and thus the vexatious
Southern problem is solved. Ii is
urged that the freedman is too poor to
emigrate. Those who urge this OBJ
lection ought to remember that it is
the poor and oppressed in all coun-
tries who have emigrated. One never
emigrates only as he seeks to improve
his conditions; to relieve himself and
family OF want; TO escape expressions
and abuses. To gain such position as
that, while he enjoys his freedom and
rights, it is possible for him to cult
vate, as to himself and children, those
circumstances of property, wealth and
intellectual, moral and religious culture
which distinguish desirable, wise hu-
man existence. Is it wise for the
poor, starving; oppressed Irishman to
quit the country of his nativity to seek
new nome in our goodly land, where
opportunities of culture, the accumu-
la;ion of wealth, advancement and
success await his endeavors From
whom comes the negative response
Then let no man either despise or OPP
pose the exodus Of the freedman, who
now, realizing his real condition, emf
CRATES from the old plantation and ne
gro quarter, from the scenes of his
former ensla"ement, from the hateful
and oppressive control of stupid and
landed aristocracy, from poverty, from
ignorance, from degradation, to home
among those who value freedom, free
institutions, educational and material.
moral and Christian worth, individual
effort and achievement-to a home
among those who, loyal to God and
man, never fail to give sympathy,
suecor and hospitable welcome to the
needy son Of ireland, or the yet more
needy son Of Mississippi; who come
seeking not only liberty, but the OPP
portunity to labor, to live and achieve
in their midst.
Mr.. Langston closed with a rever-
ent allusion to the lesson contained In
the words:
II have surely seen the affiiction of
my people which are in Egypt, and
have heard their cry by reason OF
their taskmasters, for [ know their
sorrows, and am come down to deliver
them out of the hands of the Egypt
ians. and to bring them up out Of that
land into good land and large, a
land flowing with milk and honey"
X. X. X.