The Orangeburg democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1879-1881, 1879-06-27
THE FLIGHT FROM THE SOUTH.
LETTER FROM THE REV. DIR, WEBSTER
OF ORANGEBURG

o"Au 10 mutIer OF surprise that
there should existin every part of
the South among the freedmen so
strong desire to improve their con-
dition. by removal to some other sec
tlon of the country, In this State
the purpose of removal is very gener-
raj, although not yet; put into ,execu-
ton: In some sections Organizations
have been formed to make arrange
ments for this movement. The COL
ored people started here the idea of
gong to Liberia, and multitudes we're
seriously affected-by the fever The
disastrous results of suoh move
ment, would have been far more wide.
spread but for the timely efforts of
Interested friends to check it. That
enterprise has proved comparative
failure, but not for the want Of am
pie numbers seriously in earnest to
carry out and develop the impracti-
cable enterprise they had incopsider-
ately and prematurely undertaken
Since the subject has been discuss
ed here Of seeking homes in the West,
on lands opened by Government for
settlement, the feeling in favor of
emigration has increased, and is now
only held in check by those who are
looked up to for leadership in this
movement, and who wait for further
development here, and for trustwor-
thy information in reference to the
most promising fields for their future
settlement, and the formation Of def
mite plans, and the certainty of
means for reaching their place of des-
tination. AS I travel in the State 1
am constantly pressed with inquiries
ON the subject, and often receive let
ters asking for information. The
colored people only wait for definite
plans .ta be formed. and the starting
ofthe forward movement then thou
sands would forthwith take their
chances for homes and future in the
great West, When they once fully
make up their minds to go they will
not be deferred, whatever the person
al 81 --siRcritlcas rmaB be- shem. They,
arc sure they have nothing to lose
here by the removal, and the chances
are in their favor elsewhere.
The question naturally arises,
What has produced this uneasiness
and discomfort here? 1t has been
brought about by a combination of
circumstances. which in their view
renders the condition Of the freedmen
comparatively hopeless here. They
have been greatly disappointed to
learn that they are to be left here
without the protection Of the General
Government. They have always been
too much in the habit of relying upon
others to look out for and protect
them. The General Government se-
cured for them their freedom, and
they fnndly dreamed that the
strong arm that gave them the
rights Of citizenship would see to
it that the rights were made secure
to them. But when they were left by
tho Government Oh the theory that
might was right, and that the ques-
ton must be settled here, and that
those who commanded the most ex-
tensive means TO govern the State
must control its destinies, they quiet
ly yielded 10 the inevitable, and with
out controversy allowed the former
lords of the South to usurp the em-
pire. They are now made to see and
feel that their only adequate protcc-
tioh must come from the State author.
tiles, who, of course, select their own
officials, control the courts, and ad-
minister the forms OF justice. 1t is
true that they do not hold the same
relation as formerly to this dominant
party, but they still have some linger-
ing memories of what happened to
thsms when the same persons were
doing their pleasure, in the full con
troll of the affairs Of the State. and
were then, as now, their beat friends.
In addition to this, they feel most
keenly that they are unjustly depriy-
edof their POLITICAL rights. In tile
recent State election, in some sections
they could not secpre the opportunity
to vote. In other cases they found
that the successful effort to vote