The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-01-18
REPUBLICAN CITY TICKET.


The census OF 1880 has developed many
surprises, and none more worthy Of con-
siderstion than the increase Of the African
race in It's strongholds. The number Of
freedmen had grown to six millions, an
increase Of IS per cent-more than third
jim ten years. Allowing for discrepen'
cies in the census OF 1870 the increase may
be taken as 80 per Cent.-a little less
than third. DeductiDg 8 per cent. ior
immigration from The white rate Of increase,
and 20 per cent remains as the increase Tor
decade in the population OF the South.
The revelation OF this fact was some
thing OF shock TO the nervoussystem OF the
white solid South; but since 1t was at least
iuconyenient for twelve millions OF whites
10 unload six millions OF blacks into the
sea, nothing could be done to afford i'm
mediate relief. The one obvious protec-
tive provision for the future has not been
seriously thought Of.
In the Popular Science Monthly for Feb
ruary Prof. L. W. Gillian addresses him
self TO the general subject, notes as an
appalling evil the rapid growth Of the
African race in the South, and proposes a
remedy. Mr.. Gillian, desiring that the
white sonth shall realize the awful posi-
bilities Of the situation, gives some pro-
gressive figures based on the relative
increase in the two races. He finds
that in 1910 the blacks will have
outstripped the whites reaching a
population OF iorty.eight millions, which
the whites will be ten years longer in at
tanning. But once the blacks have got the
start their marvellous iecundity under
favorable conditions will carry them ahead,
80 that in 1854 century after the recent
census-they will number hundred and
ninety two millions in the South, and five
years later the whites Of that division will
poll only ninety.six millions.
Mr.. Gillian takes into no account the
modifying influence OF immigration, pre-
Stunning, perhaps, on the lamentable fact
that thus far the South has not cordially in.
vited immigration. We look for very
marked change in this condition. and long
before 1880, but this phase OF the case de.
ponds largely on contingencies and need
not be dwelt on now.
Colonization is Mr.. Gilliam's remedy
not new one, but never before proposed
ON so vast scale. He looks to Central
America as ground which might well be SO
occupied. Details Of importance are
not supplied, as, for example, how
the land is to be obtained, by whom, how
the increasing millions OF prospective colo.
nists are to be induced TO emigrate and
colonize, when the outward flow is to be-
gin, and whether It is to be voluntary or
compulsory.
From his own showing Mr.. Gillian over
estimates the danger and underestimates
the capacity Of the Southern whites to deal
with it. He recalls how the colored race
in the South has been checked "by the
necessary and wholesome self.assertion Of
the white race"-doubtless meaning the
power OF the employer over the employee,
the oppressive store contract system, shot.
guns and onion.skin ballots-and he gives
no reason why the Southern whites are to
be expected suddenly to abandon those
checking methods.
1t has not occurred to this professor
writing in his study that something might
be gained by putting the primer and the
slate in the hands OF young blacks, by more
humane, considerate and just treatment Of
them-by giving them as fair chance as
the whites enjoy, always remembering that
they start under the disadvantage Of
black skin. More alarming than the growth
Of the black population is its appalling
illiteracy, which stands as q monument to
that social system which held mind and
body in bondage.
While the Southern States are not doing
all they can for the education Of their chill
dren, we concede that they are not able to
do all that ought to be done. The National
Government will have to supplement their
efforts. and the time to begin is now.