The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1879-05-09
MISSISSIPPI VALLEY LABOR CONVEN
TION
The Planter. Alarmed by the Negro

1
TION.
The Planters Alarmed by the Negro
Exodus
VICKsBURG, Miss, May 6.-There was
marked increase in the attendance at
the Mississippi valley labor convention,
which reassembled this morning at 10
O'Clock, in pursuance to adjournment
yesterday afternoon. The first business
claiming the attention of the convention
was the report of the committee on res
Olutlons, which, through its chairman,
w. l.. Nugent, submitted the following ::
MR.. PREsIDENT.-Yonrc committee on
resolutions beg leave, respectfully, to re-
port: They have inquired into the causes
which have given rise to the recent exc.
dus of our cOlored population, as far as
possible within the limited time allowed
and while these causes are difficult to as
certain, owing to the exceptional cases
of all kinds brought to their attention,
they believe the following to include
those which may be considered:
The proximately low price of cotton,
and the partial failure of the crop the
past year; the unratiOnal system of plant
ing in some sections, whereby labor was
deprived of intelligence to direct it, and
the presence of economy to make il prof
table; the vicious system of credit fos-
tered by laws, permitting labOrers and
tenants to mortgage their crops before
they were grown, or even planted; the
apprehension on the part of many col
ored people, produced by malicious re-
ports circulated among them that their
civil and political rights are endangered,
or are likely to be; the false rumors, dill
igently disseminated, that by emigrating
to Kansas the cOlored people would OBJ
faTE 10, do al.
government, without cost to themselves,
and become independent farmers Many
retail country store keepers engaged in
the business of selling whisky to labor
ers and tenants, whereby their morals
had been corrupted, their labor rendered
inefficient, and the pleasant relations be-
tween them and their landlords or en-
ployers destroyed. 1t is matter of as
constituent to your committee that the
cOlOred people could be induced to credit
the idle stories circulated of promised
land where their wants would be sup
piled, their independence secured with
out exertiOn on their part. 1t was going
to extend ignorance. Evidence of un-
doubted character was furnished your
committee as to this matter. 1t is one of
the factors in the movement which we
cannot now forecast. There are, IN the
state of Mississippi alone, {, 800, 900, acres
of land belonging to the United States
now subject to homestead entry. Any
thrifty cOlOred man in the south can pre-
empt 1G0 acres of this land at the moder-
ate cost of about eighteen dollars. Land
in Kansas cannot be acquired for less. In
no part of the civilized world can I'M
skilled labor secure a larger return by
honest toll than among US, but idleness
accompanied by extravaganza produces
suffering and want here, as elsewhere.
Your committee believe that the legisla-
ton of our state should be shaped so as
to foster habits of industry among the
colored people, elevate the standard of
social morals, improve and preserve our
common school system. Divers views
have been expressed by parties equally
DESTROYS of reaching the same conclusion,
viz: To ascertain the grievances, and ap-
ply, as far as it can be done by us, the
proper redress. If the single purpose of
all was to accomplish this result, with
out the influences which our past expe-
rience has engendered to effect it, this
might be done, but only be done with a
full knowledge of all the facts. That er-
rors have been committed by whites and
| blacks alike, as each in turn have con-
trolled the government of the states here
represented, may be safely admitted.
But disregarding the past, burying its
dead with it, and standing upon the liv-
ing present and looking hopefully to the
future which lies before us, your CON-
mittee think their duty accomplished
| when they have adopted and reported
their resolutions.
ResOLred, That the interests of the
planters, laborers, landlords and tenants
are identical; that they must prosper and
suffer together; that it is the duty Of the
planters and landlords of the states here
represented, to devise and adopt some
contract system with the laborers and
tenants, by which both parties will re-
ceive the full benefit of labor governed
by intelligence and economy
| ReSOLced That this convention does
affirm that the colored race has been
placed by the constitution of the United
States and states here represented, and
the laws thereof, on an absolute and leg.
al equality with white men, and does de
clare that the colored races shall be &C
corded a practical enjoyment of all
rights and politicai-guaranteed
by said constitutions and laws.
| ResOlced, That to this end the members
of this convention pledge themselves to
use whatever power and influence they
possess to protect the 7colored race
against all dangers in respect to a fair
expression of their will at the polls,
which they apprehend may result from
fraud, intimidation or bulldoZing on the
part of the whites; and as there can be
no liberty of action without freedom OF
thought, we demand that all elections
shall be fair, free and that no repressive
measures shall be employed by the col
ored people to deprive their own race, in
part, of the fullest freedom, in exercise
of the highest right OF citizenship.
ResOtUed, That the unrestricted credit
system prevailing the states here repre-
sented, is based upon liens or mortgages
on stock, crops to be grown in the fu-
ture, followed by short crops, as has pro-
voked diStruSt, created unrest, and dis
turbed the entire laboring population.
All laws authorizing liens on crops tor
advances, constituted of articles other
| than those of prime necessity at mOder.
ate profits, whether such advances are
made by landlords, planters or timer
chants, should be discountenanced and re-
pealed.
ResOEced, That this convention calls
upon the cOlored people here present to
contradict the false reports circulated
among them, and impressed upon the
more ignorant and credulous, and to in
struct them that no lands, mules or mon
ey await them in Kansas or elsewhere
without labor or price, and to report to
the civil authorities all persons engaged
IN disseminating such reports.
| Res0Eeed, That it is the constitutional
fright of the colOred people to emIgrate
where they please, and to whatever state
they may select for their residence, but
this convent ~ urge them to proceed in
their moyeni .i,ls towards emigration as
reasonable l.nIi'i,. beings, providing in
advance by economy and effective labor,
imeans for transportation and settlement
sustaining their reputation for fair deal
ing, by preserving intact until the com
potion of their contracts for labor, which
lthey have already made, and if, when
they have done this, they still desire to
leave, all obstacles to their departure
will be removed, and all practical assis-
lance will be afforded to them, and their
places will be supplied with other con.
Tented labor.
Your committee believe that If the
! views expressed in the foregoing resolu.
tions are peaceably carried out by the