Huntsville gazette., 1888-02-11
Discussing the Proposed Exodus

The Chicago Inter Ocean of Feb.
1, contains the following lengthy ed
itorial on the South American Ex-
odus scheme, which continues to be
widely discussed in the press and
privately among the peop' e.
The proposed emigration of col
ored people now residents of the
Nor hern and Southern States to
Brazil, the Argentine Confederation.
and the Guianas, is being discussed
in very fair spirit both North and
South. 1t is stated that the pro-
moters Of the enter prise have capt..
behind them. and that they have
assurances from tie governments in
South America that justify them in
offering liberal inducements to all
who care to emigrate. The appeal
is made to the discontented colored
people in all parts Of the United
States but more particularly to the
negroes of the old slave States. Any
appeal that speaks of the wrongs
of these people and promises i'm
provement in property and other
conditions will have great effect
among those who believe that there
is no hope for improvement in the
South.
The co'ored people have the same
right to emigrate from the United
States that the Germans, Irish, or
Italians have to emigrate to the
United States, but outside the quest
ion of right or privilege is the larger
question of their future. There are
among the colored people many men
of influence who believe that under
established conditions in the South
there is no chance that the race will
be what it should be. There are
many leader, among the whites in
the South who believe that the
Southern States would make greater
progress were the colored population
reduced. These W classes, the hope
less leaders on one side and those
who see in the colorea population of
the South hinderance to progress,
may unite in encouraging this en-
igration movement, but those who
have the future Of the colored race
at heart will be slow to approve of
any movement of the kind. The
Decatur (Ala.) Journal, in COM
menting on this new exodus, says:
"The object of the proposed re-
moval is said to be to get where there
is no odium attached to difference of
race.
Something might perhaps be gain
ed In that respect by emigration to
the region named But it should be
remembered that odium attaches to
extreme want everywhere, or if not
odium, then immense amount Of in
cor venience and suffering.
| We should say then that colored
people, like all others, should make
the question of emigration rest most
y, perhaps wholly, On the prospects
Of getting a comfortable living that
were offered at home, compared with
those prospects elsewhere.
A thrifty, industrious, quiet peo-
pie will gain everywhere certain
amount Of respect. and will be en-
abled to live in comfort, no matter
what prejudice may exist against
them for re lsons that they can not be
responsible for.
In Central America a colored man
is considered as good as anybody,
but all that anybody is good for is to
fight to get a dictator in power, and
then in few weeks to fight to get
him out Of it. In the Argentine
Republic there is better order but
not little race prejudice
As to the Guiana interior nobody
knows anything about it. Sir Walter
Raleigh thought that Ell Dorado was
in that neighborhood, and there the
supposed king, enrobed every MORN
ing in fresh apparel of gold, may
still live and reign.
We are afraid that this exodus
scheme, if it means anything means
to the colored people danger and
disappointment"
Whatever may be the motive Of
the writer of the above the points
are we'll put. Before they enter upon
any scheme like that proposed t e
colored people are to consider the
question as would any other people
offered similar inducements. Ju
Al - Ill h hood