The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1880-01-10
The Negro Exodus.
Western Citisen.l

The State press have, of late, been
paying marked attention to the col
ored element, particularly to that
portion Of it that halls from the
South, and are endeavoring to pro.
cure homes in this State. The Dem
cratic organs claim that it is the Re-
plblicans who are importing them
for the purpose of carrying this State
next year, and the Republican pa
pers are kept busy explaining the
cause of the exodus. Let us view
the question from an impartial stand
point
First, the abolition Of slavery,
which has long since been accom-
plished, has given the colored man
the right to go where he pleases.
Secondly. the fifteenth Amend
ment to the Constitution of these
United States, gives him the right
to vote, and vote whatever ticket he
may see proper.
Taking these facts into considera-
ton, what cause, let us ask in all can
dor, is there for this howl? Surely
no man, or body of men, is 80 far in
sane. that he or they will think for a
moment, political party, DESTROYS OF
success, will take a weapon for self
destruction, and we have no hesitancy
in saying that if this should be the
intention Of the Republicans, it would
be suicidal. Our Democratic friends
then will ask the cause of this immi
grafton at this particular time; our
own opinion is, the cause is very ap-
parent, in fact man with only one
eye can see it glance. What cause
led to the immigration from England
during the past year? What causes
the immigration, the unprecedented
immigration, from Ireland at the
present time? The answer in both
cases, oppression, famine and starva-
ton, The same causes precisely can
be attributed to the case in point.
The Southern ex-slave holders, have
not, as yet, realized the fact the mig
ger" as he is commonly called, is q
freeman, and only when they are
compelled to do so, will they show
any fair play. In fact the aristocrat-
ie Southerner treats his servants as
the Irish landlord does his tenants.
The results in both cases are that
when an opportunity offers to better
ones condition, an effort is made to
do so. There are colored servants
to-day in both North and South Car
olina working for the paltry consid-
Grafton of four dollars month. Just
think of it one dollar per week, and
endeavoring to support a family.
Who would blame these poor fellows
to better their condition if they can?
The enormous wheat crop raised
III this State this year, has given In
diana good reputation as an agri-
cultural State, and as all these men
are farmers, they come here to better
their condition and not to become
the tools of political parties. We are
at loss to know what party ticket
they will vote, if any. Our position
is that the colored element is not
owned by the Republican party, any
more than the Irish is by the Democ-
racy. Suppose that colony of Irish
men, or Germans, or persons of any
other nationality, would be organized
in this State, and that hundreds of
men arrived here now to locate there
on The Republican press would
have the same right to accuse the De-
mocracy of importing, etc., as the
Democratic press has now to accuse
the Republicans. All this stuff about
Negro exodus to Indiana for political
purposes, is all bosh, and these fel
lows are well aware of it, but a
drowning man catches at straws,
and SO it is with political shysters,
who seek notoriety. We were al
ways of the opinion that Voorhees,
was demagogue, and every act of
his proves our opinion. In conclu-
sion, therefore, our sympathies are
with suffering humanity, and we
have no objections to the exodus; on
the contrary, we wish these poor fell
lows success in their laudable under
taking to better their condition.