The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1880-03-03
The Negro Exodus and its Re
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side to it, so much engaging the at
tention OF the country, as the negro
exodus, begun year ago, and likely
to 90 on increasing for some months
to come. And there is so great a
difference OF opinion as to the cause
and final result, that any honest testi-
mony bearing on the matter deserves
to be heard and honestly considered.
The writer has but limited knowl
edge Of the southern negro, his &C
ouaintance with the south having
been limited to two brief visits there;
but there are so many who, having
less, that he is disposed to state his
convictions.
First, then, the negro exodus orig
mated i'll political causes, these are
not the causes which are now operat-
ing; they are the instincts for migya.
ton common to all races, especially
to those which, for the first time, find
themselves free to follow their own
inclinations. 2. The movement
will go on until the Negroes desire for
change has been satisfied, and until
he shall have demonstrated to his
own apprehension that his constitu.
ton is not equal to the demands OF
the cold climate of the north, nor
bis skill and industry as an agricultu-
rist capable Of competing with the
farmer of the north. When this
shall have been accomplished, he will
gradually return, but not until his
ranks have been twice or thrice deci-
mated by the rigors OF a northern
climate, as northern emigrants are
declmated by the heats and tevers OF
the south. 3. When the negro
begins to move south, the sentiment
which accompanies it will have be-
come SO strong and general that, il
will take nearly the whole resident
negro population. with it, so that
within the next half century, ne
groes will be as rare III the cold states
of the north as they IaIie. in northern
and central Europe. 4. The ne
gro and the white man are so wholly
unlike in moral, physical, and mental
constitution, that the perfect develop
ment of the one can never be that OF
the other; and, therefore, there must
aud will be relations established, be-
tween the races, if they dwell to-
eether in peace and good will, which
it would be exceedingly difficult to
define.
1t is impossible for one who has
been more OF less familiar with the
average negro of the north, not to
be impressed, on going south, with
the physical and mental superiority
of his brethren in the cotton states.
The freedman has robuStel- habit of
BODY, wears a more satisfied express
sion, is better dressed, and is evil
dent.y more appropriately and bet
ter fed. Compared with her northern
sisters, the woman is better developed,
more neatly dressed, and Infinitely
better behaved. Many OF the rural
negresses not untrequently seen about
the old plantations, or on the country
seats, are specimens OF female devei-
opment, strength, erect carriage, and
tearlessness which Sit is sight to
see.n But the difference in the num-
beers Of southern negro children, as
compared with those OF the north, is
still more marked. In the north,
they are few, compared with the
number OF adults, and their puny
bodies clay -colored faces, and general
lack Of the joyousness which should
beicommon TO children, indicate that
few will reach adult age. In the
south, negro children swarm, espec-
tally in The towns where there are
railroad shops or manufactures OF
any kind. They are robust, active,
and happy, and as rule are Surpris-
ingly well dressed, sometimes even
expensively, showing that they ARE
tail led, and atfectiQnateIy ioslered
by their parents. 1t is PERFECTLY
plain, that as 10 physical condition,
the southern negro Is lar better OFT
than his northern brother. Ii the
latter enjoys every political right and
consideratlon, and the other is par
tally deprived OF both, the one is
weakening and going to the wall,
while the other is gaining ground un-
der what are generally belleved 10 he
entirely opposite conditions.
The writer has had considerable
opportunity to study the negro dur
ING the last fifteen years, ana partic.
ularly the negro who. came north
during and Immediately after the
war. Most of these were formerly
slaves, aud it must be said of them.
that contact. with northern civiiiza,