Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1879-10-09
Vol. XIV. Whole No. 1886. No. Al,
The C0l0red Exodus.
THE REFUGEES IN kANsAS-sTATENENT
OF GOVERNOR ST. JOHN.

!
OF GOVERNOR ST. JOHN.
| Governor 81. John of Kansas writes to q
| friend in the East as follows: II desire TO
assure you that not only have the refugees
not starved. but none have been permitted
| to suffer for want OF bread, and instead OF
| their loaiiDg around the towns and cities of
| our State, that, with very few exceptions,
| employment was readily obtained for them
aud they are now seli-supporting, doing
we'll and are happy, and neither love nor
money would induce them to be again sub
lected TO the cruel wrongs and outrages
that have been heaped upon them for years
past. OF the six or seven thousand that
have come TO Kansas there are not to-day
over seventy-ive receiving aid from char
table sources.
I'VE have found these refugees to be
soeeH aud iasuss-ians .nd whenever a.,
forded anything like a reasonably fair op-
portuniiy, not only take care of themselves
but do more. They lay by their surplus
means with view to securing for them
selves a home. ! may be said to the credit
OF this people that have yet TO see or hear
of a drunken refugee.
The newspaper or individual who as
serts that Kansas has directly or Indirectly
been Instrumental In originating this move
ment on the part OF the blacks, simply
states that which Is absolutely false. [
have heard many reports about flaming
chromns being circulated by designing
parties through the Southern States with a
view TO inducing the blacks to migrate
But have yet to see one OF these chromos
aud never expect to See one, rs offered So
70 any one who would send me one of
these chromos alleged to have been so
freely circulated among the negroes OF the
South, and OF all OF the numbers that have
come here with whom | have talk ed not a
single colorcd man or woman has ever
seen one OF these chrOmos, nor have they
ever seen or heard OF any emIgrant agent
or other person travelling the country. en-
deayoring To induce them to come TO Kan
sas. But, on The other hand, they say that
this movement originated among them
selves that they have had it iu contempla-
ton for years, but have deferred it from
year 10 year with the hope that they could
remain In the South, as they prefer that
country 10 this, II only permitted 70 stay
there. But instead Of their prospects grow
ing brighter the heel OF tyranny from year
10 year ground down harder upon them,
aud At last, when robbed of everything that
they possessed. lelt penniless and bread
less and almost naked, they were forced.
in order TO protect themselves and their
children, to fee 20 the land where they
could have a hope OF being tree.
These poor people have been charged
p cents per pound for the bacon they ate,
which was worth cents cents per pound
for the Hour that they consumed. worth
IL cents; 10 cents per yard for cotton
ade. worth but u cents $40 per acre an
nuai rent Tor land the fee simple title TO
which would be worth but little more, II
any. than that sum. They have been de
priTcd OF the right TO vote according to the
dictates Of their conscience: their children
have bee" shut from the schools. their
homes have been ruthirssly invaded; they
have had no protection to life, liberty or
property in the courts. This state OF af-
IairS At last eliminated in forcing them TO
take this last desperate step with the hope
OF bettering their condition. It is the fault
OF the white rebels Of the South that these
people are leaving THAI land
ou may a, all times rest assured that
ny ~, VIII cause YOU or any OF its true friends