The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1879-04-26
IN. 0. Picayune. ]

like its contemporary, the Uiope
Democrat, appears to have devo-
ted itself sincerely to an investi-
CATION of the causes which have
led to the so-called negro exodus.
The result of the Republicans IN
quiries comedies with the views
already expressed in this paper
The examination SLOWS, however,
that whilst the immediate stimulus
to the movement was given by the
agents of land companies and rail-
WAYS who were influenced by no
other motive than prospective
profit, the origin of ii dates back
at least two years., and Is to be re-
ferred to the macnlnntlon OF he
publican politicians WHO had form
ed a scheme Of utilizing negro
votes by importing them into the
close aud doubtful States of the
North and West. The direction
of the current and emigration to-
ward Kansas was contemplated at
the start, and efforts, no doubt,
Will be made to check II by the
politicians, although the specula-
tors may continue to encourage It,.
One scheme, which was projected
by Boston Republicans, was to
colonize with negroes large re-
gion of unoccupied territory lying
between New Mexico and the In
dian Territory. They calculated
that they might, in short time,
plant two hundred thousand ne
groes in this region, which was
then to be erected into new State.
to be called Lincoln. There are
obvious reasons why project sc
vast as this must fall, and it is ever
probable that it has been already
abandoned. The idea of utilizing
negro votes is, however, CONSTANT,
present in the Republican mind
it is only as Republican vote
that the negro has any points o
interest for Republicans. He wa
constituted voter to help the Re
publican party to maintain its So
premacy, and his whole duty II
life is presumed to be embraced
in that function. The measur
propose by Senator Window wa
, an exposition of this sentiment
1t was introduced not with th
supposition that it could be passe
through Congress, but that
might be made the basis of an EN-
, igration propaganda among til
, Southern negroes. The idea Ina
been taken up by politicians MOI
practical in their notions and the
methods than Senator Windon
and project has been propose
to raise fund for the purpose
diyerting the current of negro Ell
igration into certain Northern an
s Western States. 1t is openl
d avowed that they are wanted II
|, no other purpose than to carry tt
;s next Presidential election for I'll
Republicans.
= In other words, they are to
It used to make the North solid +
k the Republican ticket. We ha
~ no reason to believe that til
scheme will have any practical T
suit. AS we have already said.
l. believe that the emigration NOV
1T ment has already spent its fore
it Such Of the negroes as are resolve
r. to emigrate will go the West, whe
they are not wanted, and no.
~ States like Indiana and Ohio Al
New York and New Jersey, whit
,e er the Republican politicians WI
to take them. Moreover, if t
emocrats of those States shou
TT find themselves threatened wi
of defeat by this influx of coloniz
voters, they can easily Offset it
importing white voters from ce
co tiguous Republican States.
he would be easier to bring five tho
a sand Democratic voters from N
!, York from Vermont and Mas
:. chusetts, or ten thousand into o.
VI and Indiana from Kentucky, VIII,
H. they could easily be spared, a
ID. from Michigan and Iowa, VIII,
or they are of no use, than to brl
nv one thousand negro voters fr
d. the South. Two parties can p
at that game. and the knowlet
that two parties can play at it
mt be enough to deter the Republics
,e- from prosecuting it. On the VIII
,es the negro exodus business will I
M in the long run, seriously dist
ce either the industry or the poll