Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-04-08
Daily Aennebet Journal.
Augusta, Tuesday AOrn'g, April 8, 1879.
The Negro Exodus.

yond the Mississippi isaportentous fact for
the ex-Confederates to face. The move
ment which began in Louisiana has spread
to other States. and unless checked by un-
favorable reports from those who have al
ready gone in advance, or by ilattering in
ducements to the negroes 10 remain longer
in the land of Dixie, it promises to become
general throughout the Southern section.
Every boat which arrives at st. Louis
brings more or less black emgrants seek
ing the new home in the West Last week
it was Louisiana that was being depopulat-
ed of its colored citizens; this week 1t is
South Carolina, and still the fever spreads
and increases.
The cause of this is entirely political.
The sunny South is the place of all places
that the colored people would choose for
their abode could they have the rights
which belong to them as free citizens.
The climate is just suited to Them it is
the land of their birth, and no people have
stronger attachments to home than the ne
groes Poor and ignorant as the great
mass of them are, they would remain II
they could on the old plantations, were
there not some powerful motive urging
them to the hazardous undertaking which
they have begun; that motive is to
realize the civil and political rights
to which they are entitled under the
constitution and the laws of Congress, but
which they do not have and cannot have
in the South while bulldozing and the de
crees OF the White League are the CON
trolling powers in that section.
This movement is an answer to all that
has been said by the leading democrats of
the South about the good treatment ex-
tended to the blacks by the whites and |
their consequent contentment and happi- |
ness. The uprising of a people like this |
to seek a new home. in a climate less ia
vorably adapted to their physical condition
and wants, without pecuniary resorces
even to pay the expenses Of their journey,
and with no hope to reach the promised
land except through the providence of God
and the charity of northern people, is a
stern and unswerable rcbuke to the lead |
ing bulldozers for their inhuman, unjust,
unlawful course toward the negroes. They |
fly from oppression as the Pilgrim Fathers
fled. They seek a home where they can
vote as they please and not as their en-
ployer or the bulldoZer pleases. Eman- |
cipation has given them the power to leave
the South without resorting to the under
ground railway and the fear of being pur
sued by bloodhounds, if they can on foot
or by conveyance make their way out of
the country. 1t is their last resort for re-
lief from the oppression under which they
have groaned. 1t is not a pleasant sight
to the old slave masters to see those whom
they have regarded as no better than chat
tells take themselves away in this manner
nor yet is it agreeable to northern dough-
faces who have snecred at the waving of
the "bloody shirt, AS the recital of out
RACES upon the blacks has been denomin-
ated-but however these or those NAV dis
like or object to it it is still a great and
momentous fact which exists to confound
those whose cruelties and injustice are re-
sponsible for it.
1t cannot be otherwise than that organ
lied effort will be necessary in the North
TO assist these fugitives from the inhuman-
ity of the South until they are able to pro-
vide for themselves. We have no doubt
that charity will be freely extended as it
has been in times past for the relief of the
colored people. The heart of the North
beats in sympathy with them in their at
tempt to escape the oppression under
which they have too long groaned Every
village and hamlet will send of its means if
necessary to assist the wanderers in find
ing home where they can be free.
While southern statesmen are striving
in Congress to keep the negroes in bond
age by repeating the laws needfu to their
protection, wiser power than theirs is
preparing the way of dciverance Let
this exodus continue and the political
power and wealth of the South will be cur
tailed just in proportion as it goes on.
Wipe out the negro from the South and
down must 60 at the same time its produc-
tive wealth and the hope which it has of
controlling the political destiny Of this
country. Should it look to China for
slaves to replace the negroes, the public
sentiment Of the North would make quick
work of the abolition of means by which
Cinnamon are imported hither. This must
be free country, in fact as well as name,
and they who fight against it will be
ground tie powder in the conflict
The army appropriation bill now goes
to the Senate, where it will again be dis
cussed, though it will scarcely be possible