Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-05-09

and an unusually speedy one. S.W THAYER.
The Southern Exodus.
Rev. A. Webster, of Orangeburg, 5. c p,
in an interesting letter to the New York
IrijuHe, says that the uneasness and dis
content OF the colored people is as great in
South Carolina, as elsewhere that the
purpose to leave for some region where they
will have better chance to enjoy life,
liberty and property is settled in the minds
of thousands and that they only wait Tor
definite plans to be formed, and the starting
of the forward movement for homes and a
future in the great West. lie says
When they once fully make up their
minds to 90 they will not be deferred,
whatever the personal sacrifices may be to
them. They are 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 4 com
| biuation 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 rely
| ing upon others to look out for and protect
them. The General Government secured
| for them their freedom, and they fondly
dreamed that the strong arm that gave them
| the rights of citizenship would see TO 1t that
the rights were made secure to them. But
when they were left BY the Government
on the theory that might was right,
and that the question must be settled here,
| and that those who commanded the most ex-
tensive means to govern the State must cor
troll its destinies, they quietly yielded to the
inevitable and without controversy allowed
the former lords of tho South to usurI the
empire. They are now made to sec and feel
that their only adequate protection must
come from the State authorities, who, OF
course, select their own officials, control the
courts, and administer the forms of justice.
Ii is true that they do not hold the same
relation as formerly to this dominant party,
but they still have some lingering memories
of what happened to them, when the same
persons were doing their pleasure, in the
full control Of the affairs of the State, and
were then, as now. their "bcst friends"
In addition to this, they feel most keenly
that they arc unjustly deprived Of their po-
ltical rights. In the recent State election,
in some sections, they could not secure the
opportunity to vote. In other cases they
found that the successful fort to vote was OF
no value to them. They have learned. as
was actually the ease in one locality, that
TO nnulH nt.t DIM collar
ed men. They look upon the privilege Of
the ballot as one of the greatest blessings Sc
cured to them by the change that brought
their freedom if deprived Of this they re-
gard it as a fatal blow to their dearest earth
ly rights and iOndest hopes. have known
many of them to refuse the most tempting
brides for their votes. At the same time
they are told here in the most emphatic
terms that all efforts on their part to secure
any triumph for the Republican party will
be in vain-that the white people will wade
in blood before anything of the kind shall be
consummAted, and that the freedmen may a.
well submit first as last.
No one thing has been more dishearten
ing to the freedmen of this State than the
apparent combination to refuse an adequate
remuneration for labor. The colored people
are often left without the means OF securing
employment. even when this is the only
mears they have 10 live. The best wages
paid the common day laDOrer in this section
is 10 or 50 cents per day, and they are
obliged to "tind themselves" often at this
wages even. They are obliged to take or
ders on merchants instead of the money.
These orders only pay for goods that are
sold at high prices and at large profits.
What il given in return for labor can afford,
at best, only a scanty subsistence, leaving no
margin for the meaus of purchasing lands
and securing homes. The bargains they feel
compelled to make in the renting Of land, or
in contracts for labor, have PLACED them en-
tirely in the hands of the landhOlier or en-
ployer, AMI -sler working hard for the
- ------ tiilu, lUvi-.---r---- I:--rr~!-.
ment. that theY ere without supply OF food
for the Winter. often in their hope
full efforts to secure land on which
they have made payments, they have had
their confidence abused by sharpers and
have been overtaken by other misiortunes.
through which they have lost their lands
and all their payments upon them. Many
Of them are finding that, despite their great
est efforts for improvement here, they are
making no advancement in securing homes
and the means of future subsistence, and
unless some change for the better soon
dawns upon them they will, if possible, 90
elsewhere.
The colored people here are not inclined
to be bellgerent They are anxious Tor the
peaceable possession Of their rights, and
fair opportunity to live by quiet and honest
industry. The efforts made to intimidate
them into submission by threats, murders
and military display have not been without
their marked effects upon them, and they
sigh for lodge even I'm some vas: wilder
ness" secure from thee perils, rather than
to encounter this endless agitation and cruel
menace of all that makes lie dear to them.
A. WEBSTER.
orangeburg, 5. C., April n, 1879.