The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1879-08-30
Communicated
African Exodus.
"ARIEL,' AUGUST 81, 1879.

past the subject Of "African EX'
has been the most prOmi
ment in the category of every day
conversational topics, and indeed
its discussion has net been con.
fined to club rooms, iresides and
coffee-hoases. The Voice Of the
"Press'. has been load and vehe-
ment both "pro aud CON-" and
Notwithstanding the close atten.
ton and careful preparation it
has received from shrewd aud far.
sighted politicians. the question
whether the negro is so cOnstitu>
ted mentally and physically that
he may maintain himself when
threwn upon his own resources
aud depending altogether upon
individual exert on, is as perplex-
ing aud 40 nearer solution to-day
than ever. 70 avoid treating the
topic theo, etieally and to conform
to practically established laws OF
of argument. it is we'll to take a
summary view Of their primitive
history, which will not only give
a valuable insight into the char
.aeter of the negro and acquaint
us With his customs and habits,
but will serve a. an excellent
.Eauadation to build on in the
course of discussion. The spirit
of enterprise Mas never existed in
South Africa. Nowhere in the
records of history can be found
an authenticated account of it's
inhabitants showing the least dis
position to extend their domain,
or compete ia life's arena for ma.
Aional hOnUs. 1t may be urged
that this people, regarded as out
casts by the Cancasians, were
never afforded proper advanta>
ges for social, ecclesiastical, pO-
litical and scientific improvement
and development. TO determine
the validity of this claim, it is
but necessary to become acquain.
ted with British history and see
now successfully that nation
emerged from barbarism. Such
rapid change is due to no superb
or resources, but to that indOMi.
table will and manly resolution
which for centuri. $ has been the
true secret of Britain's success.
France, Germany and Russia
have likewise grown into impor>
tance-the story is the gerry same.
Then, to the casual observer,
how pre- eminently clear is it that
the Africans are the architects of
their own degradation Had
they, like other nations,r construc-
ted naval fleets and favored for.
eign commerce., how different to.
day might be the aspect! Con
tent to live in seclusion and adj
to savage customs, civil
has of course, made no
progress amongst them. Such is
tho briefly Sketched career of the
Africans when allowed to rely
upon themselves for support and
Improvement. 1t is now more
than u decade Of years since the
in America has enjoyed,
nnmOIested, every right granted
by u free government. Prior to
the recent passage of the Civil
Rights Bill" which made him So
the equal of the white man,
the Fifteenth Amendment of the
U. S. Constitution" explicitly
stating that all persons regardless
Of race, color, or previous condi.
ton should be placed upon Il com
mon legal footing, has afforded
scope for his advancement
ia moral worth, learning, skill,
d. any other excellence calculated
10 raise him to the same rank as
The Caucasian. Whether these
accorded privileges have produced
he desired effect and exalted the
man, his present condition
determines. Today we find the
negroes engaged in various pur.
Some are working for wa
ges in the rich Southern fields;
some are lOunging around wharves
aud street corners demanding ex
brilliant prices for their services
Dr. living by theft las the case
may be :; others ars tilling the
soil upon their own responsibility
and risk. What n striking illus.
this latter class forms of
he negrO-nature. So striking in
fact, that it is sufficient of itself
70 determine the praeticability of
the "Exodus." Twenty acres of
ground are rented, a blind horse
" two purchased, and the darkey
his years work in the
language, "Ial make or
bat with the secret con.
that his fortune will soon
" realized. Believing he has
'egan IA lite Of luxury ami ease.
10 does not anticipate the neceSSi