Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-09-17
A Good Witness,

Governor St. John of Kansas, in letter
to an Eastern friend, says good word for
the Southern refugees who have there found
a refuge from their oppressors. He says
refugees not starved, but none have been per-
mitted to suffer for the want of bread, and instead
of their oafing around the towns and cities of our
state, that with very few exceptions, employ
ment was readily obtained for them and they
are now self-supportipg, doing well and are happy
and neither love nor money would induce them to
return to the South, to be again subjected to the
cruel wrongs and outrages that have been heaped
upon them for years past or the six or seven
thousand that have come to Kansas there are not
to-day over seventy-ive receiving aid from charit-
able sources. We have found these refugees to
be sober and industrious, and whenever afforded
anything like reasonably fair opportunity, not
only take care of themselves, but do more. They
lay by their surplus means with a view TO secur-
ing for themselves a home. 1t may be said to the
credit OF this people that have yet 10 see or hear
of a drunken refugee. The newspaper or individ-
ual who asserts that Kansas has directly or indi-
rectly been instrumental in originating this move.
ment on the part of the blacks simply states that
which is absolutely false. have heard many re-
ports about flaming chromos being circulated by
designing parties through the Southern states
with view to inducing the blacks to migrate
But have yet to see one of these chromos, and
never expect to see one, as offered 50 TO any one
who would send me one of these chromos alleged
10 have been so freely circulated among the ne
groes OF the South, and Of all the numbers .i,d.
havo come here with whom have talked, not "A
single coored man or woman has ever seen one of
these chromos, nor have they ever seen or heard
OF any emgrant agent or other person travelling
through the country endeavoring to induce them
to come TO Kansas But on the other hand, they
say that this movement originated among them
selves that they have had it in contemplation for
years, but have deferred it from year to year with
the hope that they could remain in the South as
they prefer that country to this II only permitted
to stay there But instead OF their prospects grow
ing brighter the heel of tyranny from year to year
was ground down harder upon them, and at last,
when robbed of everything that they possessed,
left penniless and breadless and almost naked,
they were forced, in order to protect themselves
and their children, to flee to the land where they
could have a hope of being free. These poor peo-
pie have been charged twenty five cents per pound
for the bacon they ate, which was worth seven
cents; seven cents per pound for the flour that
they consumed, worth two and one-half cents;
forty cents per yard for cottonade, worth but
twelve cents $40 per acre annual rent for land,
the fee simple title TO which would be worth but
little more, If any, than that sum. They have
been deprived of the right to vote accor ling to
the dictates of their conscience; their children
have been shut out from the schools, their homes
have been ruthessly invaded; they have had no
protection TO life liberty property in the courts.
This state of affairs at last eliminated in forcing
them to take this last desperate step with the hope
OF lettering their condition. II is the fault of the
white rebels of the South that these people are
leaving that land"