National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-04-03
BrsaLras, Table Letter to the President.

Breakfast Table Letter 20 the BreBiuent.
Mr.. PRESIDENT For the promotion Of the
general welfare, your attention ia invited, as a
question OF practical statesmanship, to the
distribution of the colored population over the
area of the United States,
Itappears by the census of 1880 that the state
ofAiabama had colored population of GoO,2io;
Georgia, 72l,6s6; Louisiana, 4s3 7oi Mississippi,
600, 337 North Carolina 5S1, 25li South Carolina,
6Oi,2i5 Tennessee, 4O2Ooi; Texas, $4,000. yir.
ginia, 631 ,75i These nine states aggregate
colored population of 6,o23,3s7 out of total
population in oil the states and territories of
6,5S7,3i7.
In the state OF Alabama the white popula-
ton exceeds the colored about 62,OOOj Georgia
about 0O,OOO North Carolina about $4,000;
Tennessee 10000; Texas 100000, and Virginia
100000, while in the state of Louisiana the
colored exceeds the white about $1,000; In Mis-
sIssippi 10000, and in South Carolina 100000,
showing three states that aggregate colored
population of 10000 in excess of the white
population of those states.
The suppression ofthe vote Of colored men
by fraud, intimidation, and murder is prac-
ticed in the states where the largest proper.
tion of the colored population to the white
population reside.
1t is therefore proposed by the patriotic peo-
pie of the north and south TO remedy the evils
stated to remove any foundation for fear on
the part the whites, any excuse for any po-
litical issue between races. that q wiser dstri.
button of the colored populationbe OF once In
augurated
Two currents of emigration and immlgra-
| ton should be organized, one from Europe
| into the southern states and one of colored
| people from the states where they nearly equal
or exceed the whites to states in friendly latl-
tudes, where they would bear but small pro-
portion to the white population.
The removal OF 100000 from the states of
Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina
would place the whites in the ascendency; the
turning of European emigration to those states
| would increase that ascendency. Thus the
process could go on, year AFTER year. that
would place the white population in such
numerical majority as would wipe out all
fear of negro domination in local or state
affairs, and restore the national government
10 the keeping of the party that represents q
majority of the people.
A study ofths plan, II is believed, will con-
vince the people of its feasibility. 1t would
increase the colored peoples opportunities for
education, and confer the benefits Of just
compensation for their daily labor. 1t would
stimulate them to become owners of the soil,
and thereby as taxpayers become sharers III
the expenses Of government where they reside.
II would give them protection in the use OF
the right Of franchlse-a political power neces-
sary to secure civil rights. Their labor would
be helabor of freemen, intelligent labor, not,
as now, of servile class, upon the soil
of a republic, reproach upon the foundation
principle which our fathers declared-that all
men were created free and equal.
What an example we could set the world by
such redistribution of the colored people in
this country A message from you, Mr.. Presi.
dent, to the Congress of the United States, rec.
ommendlpg appropriations Of money in aid Of
this benefcent undertaking to promote the
general welfare, would touch the heart and
mind of the American people like something
akin to the emancipation proclamation O
Abraham Lincoln. The civilized world woult
commend the net as one of profound states.
manslip, and the prayers of millions woult
ascend to heaven invoking blessings upor
your name. Then new south would awaken
as from a dream, capital and skilled labo
would flow in from all quarters upon 1t, will
full confidence in the, protection of life ant
property. The owners of her SOIL her mines
and her waterways would vie in wealth apt
prosperity with the people OF the most favored
sections of the world.
Mr.. President, may You have the wisdom
and the courage to periodically meet this mos
important epoch in the history of our country
and your administration, all other questions a
compared with which sink. into insigpiacance
For upon Its determination hangs the issue O
war and desolatIon, or peace and prosperity.
THE NATIONAL REPUBLICAN,,
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