New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-05-03
THE FLIGHT FROM THE SOUTH
NEGROES OF SOUTH CAROLINA AROUSED.

| SIR: Ii is a matter of surprise that there should
exist In every part Of the South among the freed
| men so strong desire to improve their condition
! by removal to some other section OF the country.
| In this State the purpose of removal Is very gene
raj. although not yet put into execution. In some
| sections organizations have been formed to make
| arrangements for this movement The colored peo-
pie started here the idea Of going to Liberia, and
multitudes were seriously affected by the fever.
| The disastrous results of such a movement would
| have been far more widespread but for the timely
efforts of interested friends to check it. That en-
erprise has proved comparative failure, but not
for the want of ample numbers seriously in earnest
to 60 but because its managers were not competent
to carry out and develop the impracticable enter
prise they had inconsiderately and prematurey
undertaken.
Since the project has been discussed here of seek
ing homes in the West on lands opened by Govern
ment for settlement, the feeling in favor Of emf
.raton has increased and is only held in check
Dy those who are looked up to for leadership IN
this movement, and who wait for further develop
ments here and for trustworthy information in ref
erence to the most promising fields for their future
settlement, and the formation of definite plans, and
the certainty of means for reaching their place Of
destination. As l travel in the State | am con-
stantly pressed with inquiries on the subject, and
often receive letters asking for information. The
coored people only wait for definite plans to be
formed and the starting of the forward movement;
then thousands would forthwith take their chances
for homes and future in the great West. When
they once fully make up their minds to go they will
not be deferred, whatever the personal sacrifices
may be to them. They are they have nothing
to lose here by the removal and the chances are III
their favor elsewhere.
Tho uuestiou naturally arises What has produced
this uneasiness and discomfort hcrei 1t has been
brought abOut by a combination 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
he left here without the protection of the General
Government. They have always been too much in
the habit of relying upon others to look ont 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 citi-
zenshp would see to il that he 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 extensive
means to govern the state mast control Its deStl-
MES. they quietly yielded to the inevitable, and
without controversy allowed the former lords of the
South to usGrp the empire. They are now made to
see and feel that their only adequate protection
must come from the State authorities, who OF
and administer the forms of justice 1t Is true that
they do not hold the same relation rs formerly
to this dominant party, but they still have some
lingering memories of what happened to them, when
the same persons doing their pleasure, in the
full control of the affairs of the State, and were them
as now, their best friends In addition to this, they
feel most keeny that they are unustly deprived of
their political rights. In the recent State election
i'll some sections they could not secure the Oppor
tuniy to vote. In other eases they found that the
successful effort 10 vote was of no vaiue to them
They have learned, as was actually the case III one
locality. that fifty white persons could Outyotc 200
cOored men, And. said my informant, when
government with such people" They look upon
the privilege of the ballot one of the greatest
blessings secured TO them by the change that
brought their freedom; If deprived of THIS they re-
gard il fatal blow to their dearest earthly
rights and fondest hopes. | have known many OF
them TO refuse the most tempting brides for their
votes. At the same time they are told here in tho
most emphatic terms that all efforts on their part 70
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 con-
summated, and that the freedmen may AS we'll sub
init first as last
The colored people have great confidence in those
whom they have chosen among themselves to be
their leaders and such men OF leading influence and
manly independence are the ones on whom the
heaviest blows OF political persecution have fallen.
la many places these have been spotted IN the
locality where their Influence IS felt The result OF
this spOtlng" IS that the victim can lind no work
or place 10 live among the white people hundreds
have been driven from some localities III the
THIS has broken up, to considerable extent local
attachments and set them adTift with feeling
mat they would welcome an opportunity to leave
the state. hese men nave only TO lead the way
and multitudeS are ready to follow. But, for
tunately, this class of men here too intelligent
TO pTecptate the rush until the plans fully
matured and the means are provided 10 make II u
success.
No one thing has been more disheartening TO the
freedmen of tins state than the apparent cOmbina
ton to refuse an adequate remuneration for labor.
The cOlOrcd people are often lett without the means
of securing employment, even when this Is the
only means they have to live The best wages paid
the common day la5Orcr in this section is 10 or 30
cents per day, and they are Obliged 80 find them
selves" often at this wages even. They are obliged
to take orders on merchants instead OF the money
These orders only pay Tor goods that are sold at
high prices and at large profits What Il given in
return Tor labor can Afford at best, only
a scanty subsistence leaving no margin for
the means OF purchasing lands and securing homes
The bargains they feel compelled to make III the
renting of land, or In contracts tOr labor, have
placed them entirely in the hands of the landholder
employer and after working hard for the season
many fad, to thor great disappointment, that they
are without supply of food tor the Winter Otten
In their hopeful efforts to secure land on which
they have made payments they have had their con-
tdence abused by sharpers and have been over
taken by other lnlstOrtunes through which they
have lost their lands and all their payments upon
them. Many of them finding that, despite their
greatest efforts for improvement hero, they are
making no advancement III securing homes and the
means of future subsistence ana unless some change
for the better soon dawns upon them they will, If
they take with them some advantages
for success even i'll new country. They
are used to hardship and scanty fare. They can
still live on the peck Of corn aud three pounds of
bacon per week. They emphatcally iabOrers
and are used to all kinds of work III the line of
mechanics and farming The hard work of tins
section has been done mainly by them, and they
willing TO work when sure Of improving their con-
diton by 1t. There is surplus of labor here over
the actual demand. and means should DO employed
to give to the aborer the advantage of a better
market. Here is an opportunity for charity to be-
stow funds where it will foster industry. economy
and lead mutitudes to IA grand Success in tho great
struggle of life Give these labOrers tho means of