Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-06-11
For the Kennebec journal.
Relics Of BarbariSm.

The negro exodus is attracting much at
tention at the present time, and it certainly
presents phases that to a certain degree are
alarming. The writer has information from
more than one reliable person, who has wit
messed the facts regarding the embargo that
to-day exists upon the free travel to American
citizens on the Mississippi river.
An oppressed and down-trodden class of
people, are to-day camping in the open air,
along the banks of that great high way of the
nation, refused transportation by the captain
of steamboats,, under a reign of terror engen-
dered by the planters, store-keepers &C., who
have ground these poor colored men until it
can no longer be endured, and who in their
God given right have attempted to fee from
a land of oppression. Is there any one, who
will for single moment pretend to say, that
there is any law either human or divine, that
should exclude these people from peaceably
travelling over the great highways of the
land! No matter whether it be wise or judi
cious upon their part or not, they are Ameri-
can citizens, seeking to change their situation,
looking for more genial location, where JUS
tice is not withheld from hu man beings on ac-
count of the color of their skin | have seen
copies of accounts, from the ooks of the
store-keepers who furnished negroes with
food while they were growing their crops,
which accounts are simply damnable in the
strongest sense of that word. Molasses,
rice, bacon, goods for wearing apparel, for
the payment of which these store keepers
would in the spring obtain mortgage upon
the crop to be raised to secure payment OF
these exorbitant and devilish accounts Some
of these charges are as follows: viz molasses
of verypoor quality, 81. 80 per gallon 20 cents
for bacon per pound, worth l-2 cents, 81
cts for saleratus, 1918 for one hundred lbs
of flour worth 81 so. This too, while the ne gro
was paying rental of $40 per annum for the
land, which would not sell for that price
Add to this the political terrorism which
he must endure, and where is the heart
cold enough to say the negro is not jus
tilted in the attempt to better hi.
commune II 10 WltncTlIR SUuInt upon
the flag of any land, more especially this OF
ours, that to-day the Mississippi river to all
intents and purposes is blockaded, through
the dictation of that miserable, cursed old
relic of barbarism that hangs over portion
of this land; and for one we say, God speed
the noble men who are in New England now
arranging to charter steamboat, to go down
the Mississippi to transport these unfortu
nate people to their desired destination.
Through all this affair may be traced tn,
guidance Of that power which rules ant
guides nations to their destiny. Kansas, tina
the tendish power of slavery attempted,
quarter OF century ago, 10 curse with tina
dreaded institution, is becoming the home
not of the slave, but of the emancipated, tn,
free man, and let the watch word be, "dowr
with every attempt to hinder the free use Of
travel to any class of people in this country >
The Mississippi river blockaded b,
whomt BY what authority
All the answer comes sure and certain. b,
the same spirit that says ave will rule OF
ruin" What is the duty of the hour for al
men who believe in fair play aud honest deal
ings for all the sons of toll in this land? Sc,
to II that we maintain a government that viii
send out no uncertain sound, and that will
see in the expressions now heaped upon tn,
colored men, women and children along tn,
great river, spirit that would Cypress ant
tyrannize every other citizen of the Ian,
without regard to color, if once it had the full
power. Not day, not an hour should b,
lost in demonstrating whether or not there il
power enough in this government to keep tn,
Mississippi river free to all our people ant
also in teaching these pusillanimous speci
mems OF humanity, who walk the decks OF tn,
steamers plying that river that God and tn,
National Authorities of the United State
OF America are too powerful for them to re
sist successfully. sH."