The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-07-13
LUCKY CoLoRED PILGRIMS.
Invited by Mr.. Gladstone to Call on
Their Way to Liberia.


From the NelU York Graphic.
A few weeks ago a large number of col
ored pilgrims from tho south, mainly from
Florida, sailed from New York for Liberia
They were given free passage and aided
with money by the American Colonization
society, the headquarters of which are in
Washington, d. Z. Most of the men were
young and married, and they took their
wives and children with them. There we're
among them blacksmiths, tinsmiths, brick
layers, stonemasons, carpenters, cOopers,
jOiners, uphOlsterers, cabinetmakers, jew
eers, photographers, compositors, physi-
clans, lawyers and ministers of the gospel.
The reason they gave for leaving this
country for their fatherland was that they
believed they could get along better in
Africa than here-that the white people of
the South had treated them 50 badly, in
every way, that they couldn't stand it any
longer, and were determined to quit the
country altogether.
Yesterday three different parties of col
ored pilgrims from the south, numbering
sixty families or 81 souls, including chill
dren, arrived in Jersey City. On leaving
the train they took the ferryboats and
came 10 this city to seek lodging places.
These emigrants are far more independent
in their circumstances than the last batch
J1dJ WeuU u l4lDeTld, LOT JueN nave nOJ
received any help from tho Colonization
society. They intended to pay their own
passage and are supplied with plenty of
surplus funds Besides being we'll Dire ,sed
they have with them large quantity of
baggage, farming implements and handi-
craftman's tools. These pilgrims have
come from Alabama Georgia, Mississippi,
Texas, Florida and South Carolina; but,
like the emigrants that went away the other
H. n tasf let- lori do
and they have exactly the same complaint
to make against the white people of the
SOUTH They will not sail direct for Africa,
but will leave for England i'll fortnight or
so as second class passengers on board some
of the steamships that will leave New York
al that time. They say they will remain in
England about a month before they sail for
Africa. These people are not all destined
for the negro republic of Liberia; some Will
seek their fortunes in the British settlements
at Sierra Leone and Cape Colony. Their
reason tor going to England first is to get
chance to have a talk personally with Mr..
Gladstone, who they say of late has been
manifesting a great interest in the colonial
ton in Africa of the colored people of
America. One Of the pilgrims who goes by
the name of Judas Iscariot, the queer name
he received in slavery times from his
mothers master when he was mere child,
and which he has retained up to this day,
is actually in possession of a letter from Mr..
Gladstone, written personally to himself, in
which the grand old man." referring to
the African colonization Of colored Ameri-
cans, says
1.-THE cause is worthy one, and you and
your people may rely upon me for sympa-
thy and such material aid as it may be in
my power to give. ] shall be pleased to
talk with you as soon as you reach Ion
dom" Another Of the pilgrims has letter
from Joseph Chamberlain of Birmingham,
England in which that gentleman also ex-
presses his sympathy with the colonization
cause, and his good will to help it person.
ally and use his influence in getting his
friends to do the same.
All Of the pilgrims, men, women and
children alike, are in good health and may
be seen at any of the colored boarding
houses in the city, where they have taken
up quarters till they are ready to cross the
Atlantic. Next Sunday week, the last
Sunday they will! sp nd in New York, is
the day that will be fixed by certain
colored churches in New York, Brooklyn
and Jersey City, that have been requested
TO offer special prayers for the projection
OF these people and the success Of their pill
grimage.