National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-06-12
ITEMS ON THE WING.

tOubu sums amounts TO millions OF dOllarS
yearly. The principal crops are cotton,
sugar, rice, and tobacco, all Of which are
the products OF the worst paid laborers in
the country. The principal is retained by
the men that own the land. The system Of
bookkeeping, land.leasing, and contract
customs in the states known as those that
constitute the black belt of our country are
so systematized that the colored laborer is
Kept always In debt to his employer or the
stOrobeeper. II the laborers OF these sugar,
cotton, tobacco, and rice states received %
per cent OF the value OF these crops they
would be well paid, and many OF the OBJ
structions that now hinder their development
would be easily surmounted. or all the
articles published In the newspapers con-
CeiniDg the material condition Of the COL
ored people Of the south, the senselessness
Of many appears to be the main OBJ
ject. The white man is growing rich
and the black man poor. Figures and facts
prove themselves, and It must be acknowl-
edged that no progress can be made by
people that are deprived of their COM
monest rights. There are q few exceptions,
when, In spite of all OF the impedments
that prejudice has thrown in their way,
some make their way, and have acquired
some land and money; but the billions that
are entered on the same ledger opposite the
names OF those that own the land and en-
ploy the lahorers dwarfs into utter insig-
nifcance the colored mans plttance.
The continual numbering OF colored men
has had its effect on the nervous tcmpera-
ment Of them, and their dread OF the men
that Will assassinatG them on any preteNt
whatever II they attempt to assert their
manhood is apparent. II Is no place for
men to remain that are struggling against
mountainous obstacles that have time and
time again been thrown in their wav. A
people that seem industrious and capable of
such u great amount Of labor can Just as
easily surround themselves with favor.
able advantages and double their
importance, Men may argue and
advance their thoughts, but the
stern truth asserts itself aud circumstances
make II impossible for n colored mau to
bodily and feurlesslv expand his honest
thoughts, and 1t also expresses the miscon.
duct inflicted upon the colOred people
within a radius Of 100 miles of any negro
editor. II cannot be done fifty miles from
Washington, much less In the Carolinas and
gulf states. With the exception OF large
cities and towns, In rs bad a condition as
they were before slavery was abolished;
no protection at the poles or in the court,
free in name, but In practice enslaved, all
of which is known by the thinkers and
scholars Of America. The white man Of
the south has iuculcated into him from his
early incipiency that he must depend upon
the culored man for his existence, and all
bis energies are directed in that way Two
hundred and fifty years Of the history OF
the south verifes the above assertion. The
masters have exhausted billions OF
dollars from the colored laborer
of the south, for which he has never re-
ceived any pay. II he had received for his
labor fair compensation he could to-day
pay for fifteen OF the southern states at their
present cash value and have enough left
TO build and endow In each of them col
lege for the free education Of the children,
equally as fine in all Of its appointments as
Yale, Howard, Princeton, Columbia, Am
erst, or the University Of Pennsylvania,
and then have money enough left to erect
in each county OF the aforesaid states an
academy for the higher education Of the
boys and girls. We, after due consdera-
tion and impartial investigation Of all the
vital issues bearing on the great question Of
the distribution Of the colored people, be-
lieve that 1t is wise that every colored man
that can will migrate from the south and
start anew In the world surrounded by
more favorable circumstances than those
where the numbering Of fifteen colored men
considered justifablefor the good of white
society.
During the past week we have taken upon
ourselves the duty and responsibility of
noting In our preambles the number of girls
and boys found lettering around our streets
training in the school of vice. To some of
the brightest and most cheerful we pro-
pounded tllefol1owing questions, after the
toinHftty of scrapiug acquaintance: Do
you atterd public SCHOOL, church, Can
you read and writer Aud what are your
expectations when you arrive at manhood
and wonauhoOd? Would the knowledge Of
a trade or profession, do you think, be Of
any benefit to your Have you given your
present condition and necessities any
consideration WhateverS We carefully
noticed the answers, scrutnized the
cOuhtenanCes closely, and endeavOred, II
possible, to observe II the replies were an
index TO the thoughts Of the child, or sim.
ply given without Thought or consideration.
Twu.ffths Of the answers left favorable
impression, indicating that the child at
some time previously either had been
spoken to, or heard some one sOake, OF the
Importance Of higher and nobler develop
merit We closely scrutnized some three
hundred and ten children, overheard their
conversation, observed their manners, and
watched their ways Of amusing themselves.
Their ages ranged from to 10 years. We
were forced to the conclusion that they
were not up To the average in general de-
pertinent and Intelligence. Their language
and ElnuEcDlents were Of the character, II
not arr sted. that will enc,imher society
with OF least IS per cent Of an increase OF
criminals
There is not an intelligent colored man
or woman in America that ia opposed to
the public schools, or that is not willing to
make sacrifice for their maintenance, aud
it is folly for any gentleman to attempt to
create an interest IN schools set apart ex-
clusively for colored children. All such
schools are in violation of the free school
system OF our country. They are uu-
American and humiliating, and their con-
tinuation is an acknowledgment OF our in
ability to suppress them or demand our
rights as citizens before the law.
VIM. Andrew Freeman Lodge, No. 2099,
G, U. o. of o. f., has elected NJ. V. p. B.
c. Whiting delegate to general meeting OF
the order, which will be held in Phlladel-
phia October next.
Hon. Frederick Douglass and lady enter
tanned the Monday Night Literary Club last
Saturday at their residence. Prof. Mont
gomery presiding.
Ten thousand Kisses for the brave girl Of
Hincennes city schools, Ind, and long live
Prof. Taylor.
During the past week thirty.nine colored
people died.
OF which have been marked with lndepend-
ent and fearless journalism.
John II. Hayes, OF Richmond, Va, was In
the city on Monday.
John NJ Iangston is spoken Of for Con-
gross We hope mis- election is sure.
The Rev. X. IL. g. Dyson has been very
successful in this city.
The Masonic fair, 1t is reported, will
eclipse all other exhibitions OF its kind ever
given in this city.
The correspondent OF the New York
freeman pushed his pencil little too far In
attempting to crlicise Editor Chase.
When he was in trouble Chase shielded and
protected him, and his retaliation is about
what you might expect.
The Rev w. j. Simmons, OF Louisville,
KY, was In the city during the week.
Miss Carrie Bride, Of Petersburg Va,
will attend the press convention,
The Rev. X. H. Lee, of the Third Baptist
Church, has been very favorably received
by the congregation.
The N,w Xprg cpnf.ranna ~ tho NJ Il