Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-11-30
Decade

1. That the foreign immigration since 1903 has
been almost exclusively white, and 2 that the
great preponderance mas been to the states
where the colored race is least numerous. The
white population of the sixteen Southern States
and District of Columbia increased from 8, 1885,
355 in 1870 to 12 577 215 In 1889, which indicates
the white population of the twenty-five North
ern States increased from "a, 1854 272 to 81, ,257
557, showing gain of 1858 per cent. Between
1870 aud 1880 immigration added to the white
population of the North 2, 100, 600, and to that
Of the South 600 Eliminating this element
of increase. we find the percentage of gain in
the native white population to be III in the
Northern States, and CO.'S in the Southern. But
Mr.. Patterson makes allowance for children
born in this country to these same immigrants
during the last decade, by which he reduces
the gain of the native whites of the Northern
States to 1877 per cent, and that OF the South
ern States to 3O.4 per cent, or nearly double
the former.
The inference from the foregoing figures is,
that the increase of the colored is more rapid
than that of the white population throughout
the country; and, as the colored morI ality is
markedly higher than the white, that the
birth rate of the African race must be greatly
above that of the European The exaggerated
mortality of the colored race is most apparent
during the period of lactation, and the natural
consequence of this is a diminished interval
between successive pregnancies. The greater
prevalence of still births has the same
tendency.
But an important allowance must be made,
which is overlooked by Mr. Patterson in his
calculations. This grows out OF a partial, but
constant amalgamation OF the two races the
gain from which accrueS almost entirely to the
colored population. It is impossible to esti-
mate this allowance with any degree of accu-
racy, for statistics are lacking; but it is prob
able that the gain IN the Southern States from
issues of parents both white is scarcely less
than that from issue of parents both colored.
Another fallacy in Mr. Patterson's estimate
has reference to movement of the white popu
lation in the United States. His opinion is,
that the removal from South to North
is about equal to that in the opposite direc-
ton. but this must be a great mistake. For
many years the south has received a consid-
erable immigration from the Northern States,
the majority of the settlers being males, as is
usual In migrations. Thus the legitimate union
at the South Of Northern males with Southern
females has served to compensate for the Illicit
combinations OF white males with colored
females, and this gain to the native white
population of the South answers for a CORE
spending infertilitY in that of the North, where
there is an excess of native females.
1t is obvious that the fruitfulness of the
native population of New England has suffered
greatly by a loDg-continued drain of its most
vigorous sons and daughters. How far this
natural decrease of the birth rate has been
supplemented by systematic measures of pre-
venIion, shall not attempt to conjecture.
Such pracJices surely lead to the extermina-
tion of their contrivers, by the operation Of
the law of natural selection and survival of
hend that any part Of our country will be de-
populated, unless it should become unfit for
human habitation, while the Jeeming humanity
of the old world continues to send to our shores
the most vigorous and prolific portion of it's
surplus.
The revelation of the last census clearly cor
rects the preconceived and general belief in
the destined disappearance of the African race
from this country IN "the struggle for exist
ence." Apparently this race is increasing more
rapidly than its white compatriot; and. as the
latter is reinforced by immigration, writer's
like the one already mentioned might suppose
that the darker race is destined eVentu-
ally to occupy mainly the more South
ern States Of the Union. But, when
we consider that the mulattoes and quadroons
are all reckoned as colored, it is evident that
considerable part Of its gain should be sub
tracted. so that the ratio of increase among
the whites at the South might not be less than
that of the blacks.
If the rapid increase Of the darker race
proves anything, it proves that there is plenty
of room yet for that class of people-in other
words, great demand for the products of
their industry in the markets of the world. 1t
is not probable that the demand for the four
great staples or the South cotton, sugar, rice
and tobacco) will soon be surcharged but 1t is
likely to be fully answered within fifty years,
with the present increase of production. If by
that time our darker countrymen have not
learned other occupations, their increase will
surely be repressed by the stern law of nature
Whatever may be the capacity OF the race
IOF uGNclOp0QSuL IN q SbabS OF peace. III Is
parent, from the great check on their increase
between 1850 and 1870 by the operations OF the
civil war. that any serious disturbance of their
industrial pursuits, like a prolonged foreign
war or political commissions at home, would
produce such distress as to disturb profoundly
their vital movements. The same event would
follow an over production of the staples grown
by their labor, owing to their habitual improvi-
dence.
Thus far they have experienced no serious
rivalry, and therefore no check to their natural
Increase: for foreign immigrants have always
shown Discrimination to come into close con
tact and competition with the dark skinned
race, and the repugnance is not likely soon to
disappear This fact is undoubtedly favorable
to the numerical increase of the race, though
It Is equally clear that 1t tends at the same
time to delay its intellectual Improvements by
deterring individuals from pursuing other and
higher industries. In any event there is little
danger that either race will severely encroach
on the ground of the other in our time and no
danger that the colored pouulation of anv ma RI
of the country will be in the way of the whites
unless they should so far advance intellectual
ly and morally as to win q commanding posi-
ton by sheer force OF merit In such a strug-
gle for supremacy, il the white race should fail
at last to maintain its present standing, the
philosopher of the future will decide that it
has been tried in the balance and found
wanting.
This proved very interesting subject,
and ELECTED lively discussion on the prob
able future Of the colored race in the United
States, In which Hon. Erastus Brooks, of
New York; Doctor Newsome, of Texas;
Doctor Porcher, of Charleston, and Others,
joined.
After this was read a paper by Professor
John L. Campbell, of Indiana, entitled
THE KANKAKEE: A SANITARY PROBLEM OF
INDIANA.
It was as follows:
The northern portion OF the State Of Indiana
presents some questions, relating to topogra.
ply and drainage Of special interest.
From Lake Michigan to the Wabash river
the northwestern part of the State is generally
level; and while considerable portion of this
section is under cultivation. there are vast
tracts OF marshy lands as yet wholly unre-
deemed.
These plats are for the most part covered with
shallow water, and from the Shiny black mud
there comes rank growth Of grass, weeds,
brush and scrubby trees
Prominently through this mixture Of soil,
water and wild growth. runs the Kankakee
river. whose sluggish current and numberless
wlndings make it seem like great snake
asleep. The stream abounds in fish, ducks and
frogs, and the enthusiast regards iE as the
sportsman's paradise
Sometimes the grass on the broad fats may
be cut for wild hay of an inferior quality. and
here and there the cranberry and whortleberry
flourish, but generally the acres are useless.
Except for the friendly south wind to the
great northern lake, and the broad prairies, as
efficient sanitary agents, the miasms arising
from the decaying vegetation would make the
vicinage very region OF death,
The reclamation of this region Is the econo-
mic and sanitary problem to be discussed in
this paper.
The general topography of the northwestern
part OF the State of Indiana presents plain,
gently sloping to the west
The summit of this plain Is near Fort Wayne,
and the drainage of the larger portion of it is
into the Wabash river, which extends quite
across the State and runs in channel averag-
ing $50 feet below the general surface. A
limited section of the territory is drained hy
the st. Joseph and other smaller streams
which empty into Lake Michigan
The Kankakee region Hes between the
Wabash a. Michigan sections, and the outlet
for 1t is through the Kankakee and its tributa-
ries to the Illinois river and thence to the Mis-.
sissippi.
The Kankalzee takes its rise only a few miles
from South Bend ON the st. Joseph river and
runs nearly parallel with the border of Lake
to forty miles.
Along the borders of this river and its tribu-
taries lie the great marshes
The expense of reclamation OF theae marshes
would be too great for individual enterprise
and part of this expense must be borne by
the State at large whenever the work is under
taken.
The Legislature Of 1sS0s1 made an appro-
priation for a survey, and the Governor Is
authorized 20 employ q competent engineer
for the purpose Of determining the most
feasible method OF accomplishing the resnlr
desired.
The principal features OF the question may
be obtained from survey made by q Catholic
Eathar Etarsfsora for he bal h.ns