The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1880-01-28


WEST PoTNT, Miss, Jan. 19, $780,
EDITOR CLARIoS-The subject of immi
grafton is one of commercial Importance tc
the people of our State.
The late rapid depopulation of the negro
I race within our borders demands serious
consideration at the hands of our Legisla-
ture not with a view of arresting it, but
of supplying their places. For while this
very obvious and constant depletion of the
negro population, creates temporary, and
1 in some cases, a very great, Inconvenience,
vet it is undoubtedly an ultimate blessing
That our State can ever keep abreast with
the great States of the North, East and
West, while we are weighted down with
superior numbers of negroes, it it idle to
assert.
Poetry, pathos and political philanthropy
aside, the fact is, that the negro cannot
subordinate the white race, no matter how
great his majority in numbers.
In the competitive antagonists that
arise in the struggle for primacy and
power, governmental and social, the eau
cassian will subordinate any other race.
Though to some minds this may not be
desirable, it is, however, true beyond
doubt.
The black man having been forced into
the unnatural attitude of a political foe to
a superior and sensitive race, has invited
the issue of "the survival of the fttest."
Armed with the ballot, instinctively, if not
logically, in his first and initial steps, he
forms on the color line and advances on an
other people, fortified behind traditional
ideas and invincible convictions implanted
il them by the God who created them. That
he has been impaled on the sharp points of
events, in making this unnatural assault,
is true. That he can never again, by sheer
force Of superior numbers, enjoy political
ascendancy in this State, no one feels more
convinced of than the negro himself
Hence, the general controlling desire he has
to leave Us, because, compared with his
late political primacy, the present condi-
ton seems like oppression to him. Since
''the sceptre has departed from Judah" he
has vague idea shat he must also depart.
Well, let him do so. One thing is certain
the white people of our State intend to
''hold the fort" Underlying this general
impulse on the part of the negro
his position as Iaborer or tenant Though
there are some laudabe exceptions, as
universal rule, he has no thrift, economy,
or sagacity in his dealings. He is victim
to his poverty and his improvidence. He
spends all, and often more than he earns,
and often makes contracts and purchases
oppressive to himself and discreditabe to
those who thus impose on him. Though
this is not the rule among whites who deal
with him, it is too often the case.
And again, the uplands, even the most
productive prairies, are yearly yielding less,
and annually large numbers of negroes 90
to the rich alluvial lands along the Missis-
sippi river, where wages are high. Not
many ever return. From this small county
(Clay) not less than five hundred
have gone to "the bottom" this winter
They are leaving the surrounding "black"
in about the same number.
From ''the bottom" they go to Kansas
and elsewhere. So it is apparent that the
negro is scattering abroad and fading
away, and in time will cease to be a factor |
in our affairs political, civil ard political. |
Now, let Us address ourselves to the task of
supplying his place with a more homoge-
NOUS, and a harder breed-the native
Swede, Scotch, Irish and German element
The example of other states is before us.
The Legislature now sitting could not
address themselves to a more inviting task
md one Of more pre-eminept Importance.
1t will not do to neglect it, nor merely
lex the subject over and leave it. The
people demand that it should be taken up
md carried forward
Then our population will increase, manu-
actories will spring up, our native and
numbering resources will awaken to life
nd activity, the production of cereals and
-rasses, and the growth of live stock of all
.inds will be quickened and increased, and
ve will not live forever, as we are living,
n a state of perpetual cotton picking and
eonage, harping forever on the 'nigger,"
and ignoring all when vital and
Intelligent questions affecting government
n our fear of him.