Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1885-06-23
CoIOnfkIng the COIored People,


Editor Alma Leader:
Please allow me space in your valuable
paper (the champion Of liberty to answer
a few words of derision and a large amount
of inconsistency in a recent issue Of the
Memphis APPEAL, in answer to my last
article on colonizing my people.
To begin, the APPEAL heads its article
Criminal Inhumanity." Well, as it did
not state whether 1t was criminal in
humanity for our people to migrate to a
new country, where they can get free
homes in a healty climate (where an
abundance of all kinds of wild game
abound, such as buffalo, antelope, deer,
turkey, etc., or whether it was to
remain in thicklypopulated, dilapidated
and exhausted country, or not, | must
say believe it means that it is to remain
where we are.
In another sentence the APPEAL in
Inmates that we want the government to
give us territory to set up a new re-
public. Now, this is inconsistency by
the wholesale. We do not want any such
thing. Would not accept it if proffered.
We do not want to nor do we expect to
get from under the giant arm of protec-
ton by the United States government.
All we want is what is ours, and we ex-
pect to get it in free and fertile homes by
migrating to New Mexico. and other Ter
ritories adjoining.
1t strikes me very forcibly that the
APPEAL is opposing our migrating for
self-motives; and it certainly would trim
few slices off the rations of the white
people of the old State for few months,
but when we are gone the APPEAL, as
well as all others, will see the great good
it will do the country. To illustrate,
better class of white people from the
North and East (people who have not
lived with the colored) will move into
the country vacated by the negroes, and
If enough should not come to fill our
places the country can grow up in grass
Ia more profitable crop than cottOn), the
people can raise stock and fertilize and
reclaim their old, wornout and exhaust
ed land. These are facts, and | chal
lenge contradiction.
To illustrate further Tin favor of us
migrating), am indebted to the Atlanta
Constitution for the fact that the South
is paying the North and West 1922, 000,-
900 year for meat and bread, etc. Now,
what does this prove? 1t simply proves
that the South is largely inhabited with
a set Of ignoTamuses, who are toiling, as
the old saying is, fifteen months q year IN
cotton to purchase their meat and bread,
and then they do not get more than half
enough And to illustrate still further,
feel it my duty to call the APPEALS
attention to the fact that there is no
demand for nearly one third of the cotton
produced, and that is another reason why
my people should migrate, and quit toll
ing and starving to produce something
that has no demand and value.
Now, in conclusion, | wish to say
that the APPEAL, and all others who OPP
pose our migrating, remind me of
drowning man catching at the traditional
straw. You know your inconsistency in
opposing our migrating, and think it is
your last and only chance to save your
selves, but after we are gone a few
months you will see your true and tried
old land grow up in Gods intended crop,
you will begin to raise stock, fertilize and
reclaim your land, aud cultivate the most
fertile spots, and ship your surplus grains
and meats to foreign countries, as you do
cotton now So, would urge that you
turn your attention from the negro, and
raise more grass, stock and fruits, and
establish butter and cheese factories, and
you will live happier than you ever have
before.
Newspapers please copy for the benefit
of the public. Respectfully,