Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1879-06-24
The Relations which Existed Between
Slaye0wners and Slaves, and Allu-
sion to the General Good Feel
ing Between Whites and
Blacks at the Close
of the War.

WASHINGTON, June 23.-RepresentatIve
Whltthorne has forwarded communication
to MIR. GOode, chairman of the house COM
mittee on education and labor, touching the
propriety of the proposed investigation into
the cause of the recent colored exodus from
southern States. Alter general review of
the relations which existed between the slave
holders and slaves, and an allusion to the
general good feeling existing between the
whites and blacks at the close of the war,
and a statement concerning the immense loss
inflicted upon the south by the late civil strife,
Mr.. Whitthorne Gays that in view of the rep
resentation made from time to time that the
colored man in the south is denied his legal
and political rights, that he is deprived of
just and proper reward for his labor, and
that his life and liberty is constantly endan-
gered, 1t is important and Instructive to test
the truth of these representations outside OF
partisan statements. In comparing the pro-
auctions of the south since the war, 1T IS
shown that from 1859 to 1873 there has been
an increase of more than three million head
of cattle and SWINE. In ten years preceding
1861 there were produced q, 142, 285 bales of
cotton, while for the last eight years there
we're produced 80, ZIG, 53l bales. In 1871
there were 7,557,579 acres Of cotton
cultivated, while lie IN IN 1873 there were
It is estimated by Mr.. Whitthorne that
more than 5000, 100000 of the southern pro-
ducts enter into the purchase of merchandise
and manufactured goods of New England,
New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
The gross earnings of the railroads of the
southern States are placed at $42, 927, 1874 per
aunum, and it is held that all the principal
cities and towns of the south have Increased
decidedly in population, and that there Is q
constant and general growth OF manufactur-
ing establishments. Statistics are given,
showing that while farm labor in the north
err and western States Is paid at the rate
of about seven dollars per capita OF the popu-
lation, his compensation exceeds ten dollars
per capita of the population II the southern
more than 10000 in the southern States
$97, 907, ia is paid to the laborer, while il a
population of Is 100000 in the northern and
western States only Sl14, 8S2, 1854 is paid.
Looking to these facts, he continues, can it
be said that the laborer OF the south is not as
well paid az the same classes in other sections
of our county? Can it be argued that the
labor OF the south has been so disturbed and
its stalwart men have been SO lnterfered with
as to compel one-third of them to
abandon home and birthplace, and that so
outrageous lie oppression and danger that they
should ''stand not upon the order of their
going" but fee without thought of the
present or provision for the future? As do
mestic and political problem, and vieEed in
its economic light, it Is better for both races
of the south that the colored race should mi
CRATE, provided this migration can be made
with careful and thorough consideration. No
one then can or will persuade them to aRy
other course; free to move wherever they
please, none can now rightfully object, except
IN the discharge of the Office of friendship and
kindness. If you shall recommend investi-
cation, as l hope you will, trust 1t will be
IN high spirit of search after political
economy, truth, the interests of humanity
and the common good of our country.