The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1879-05-10
THE NEGRO EXODUS.

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tempts of the Democratic press to treat
the matter lightly. the fact is indiSputa-
bic that the blacks are moving out of the
South in large numbers: not from one
state merely. hut from Louisiana. Mis-
SiSSippi. South Carolina and Tennessee.
Among people in which class attach
mcnts are so strong. a movement like
that now inauguratcd is apt to become
contagious and the inclination to fall i'll
with the migratory tide is almost ire
siStible to the average negro. Wise or
unwiSe the northwarl and Westward
movement has begun. and it is quite safe
to predict that it will continue at least
until it is shown. that in fleeing from his
hard condition in the South. the negro
has exposed himself to starvation in re-
gions where he is unable to find the en-
ploymcnt upon which he must depend
for the means of subsistence. The ques-
tons then are pertinent in this connec-
ton: Will Kansas and other States. to-
ing. offer the negro a better home than
he has had AT the South? Is the present
movement wiSeo The opinion is quite
prevalent that the colored people who
have surprised the nation by their new
venture will he unable to provide for
themselves i'll Il new country and that
great suffering must be the result of their
movement. 1t must he admitted by the
sincerest friend of the colored race that
their training has not been such as TO fit
them for the endurance of the hardshipS
of the pioneer. and their incxperience
places them at a disadvantage in com
petition with the people among whom
they propose to make their abode. That
Kansas and the adjoinin" States would
afford them Il congenial home could they
at once secure employment and a start i'll
life there can be no doubt. But that the
negro. with his best endeavor. can. in the
aggregate. at once gain II foothold and
earn livelihood wherever he locates. is
somewhat doubtful Could he contrive
to subsist for one year in new location
there would be hope of his final success
in his new home 1t may be that during
the coming summer. many of the blacks
who have left the South will be able to
earn enough, on raise enough. to carry
them through the next Winter. after
which they may have Il chance to thrive.
The one great advantage of these people
III this emergency is their ability. from
long continued habit to live almost on
nothing While it must be conceded
that the future of the migratory blacks
is somewhat dark. the country at large
will eagerly await developments. in the
hope that their reception and "pportnni
ties will he more propiti"uS than can be
now predicted. Whether the movement
is wise is 4 question which cannot now
he answered in the affirmative, if the
prospects alone of those who have trust
ed their fortune TO it be considered. But
if the whole Influence of the movement
be weighed. it must he evident that its
effect will improve the condition of the
colored race The blacks who remain at
the South will receive better treatment
AS the result of this venture of their
brethren. and the whole nation will be
led to new IDEAS of the .,Gn,iiiuH of the
colrrcd race. The SutferinyS of the peo-
PIE who migrate may be great for Il time.
but there is reason to believe that the
ro!ored man al iiic So,th will reap no in
considerable benefit aS the result Of the
movement. There is one thing which
ought to be kept continually i'll mind.
and that is. We have no right to expect
much of the black man for many years
to come. Whether he remains where he
is. on seeks new home. his ignorance
and his ineXperiencc will subject him to
misfortune. and he will he poor and his
lot must be hard. His present desire to
improve his condition must touch the
hearts of unparalleled people, North and
South. and his present venture viii at
tract for him q measure Of the sympathy
which he needs for his encouragement.
While immediate prosperity is not to be
expected as the result of migration. vet
the conviction cannot be escaped that
the present movement will in the end
prove Il blessing to the Galored race. 1t
is one factor in the solution Of problem
which must at last yield to the civiliza-
ton which promises to all men equal
law.