The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-10-05
THE DEPORTATION BILL.
introduced Last January By sena-
tor Butler and Discussed By
Him Now.
He Believes Firmly in tho Entire !
Separation Of the Two
Races.
The Blacks . "scullion Race"
In tho South.

Written for The SUNDAY INDEPENDENr.l
The growing interest manifested through
out the country in the race problem" and
the disposition to discuss it calmly and
fairly, encourages tho hope that Whatever
there is Of q ''problem'' in it will be prompt
~ solved.
The bill introduced in the senate by
me in January last for ''the emigration
of the colored people from the southern
States, has been criticised from various
points Of view, and with . variety Of mo-
tives-sometimes fairly and approvingly,
sometimes harshly and unjustly; but it has
put both races to thinking-and that is one
point gained.
Many false impressions have been
made, unwittinRly in some instances,
designedly in others, AZ to the objects
contemplated, and the motives which
actuated the mover. 1t has been studi-
ously asserted that the object of the bill
was the deportation of the negroes in
this country to Africa, and that my motives
were controlled by hostility to the negro.
In regard to the first, l may say Africn is
not mentioned or suggested in the bill; and,
in point of fact, was not in my mind when
the bill was drafted.
In the discussion referred to Africa an a
country to which negroes might migrate be-
cause it was suggested to me in conversation
withvery intelligent and influential men Of
the negro race. and because the entire sep
aration of the races was recommended and
advised by MIR. Abraham Lincoln and other
prominent abolitionists. These facts az to
Mr.. Lincoln and others ascertained in
the investigation Of the subject made after
tho INTERPOLATION sNfk hn f.
il, therefore, much more entitled to the
credit or dicredit according to the stand
point from which it h viewed) of this idea
than myself, 80 that those who combat the
wisdom, or propriety, or advisability OF
s sass the races, and the removal Of the
must TRY conclusions" Yith Mr.. Lin
coins arguments before 6ssailinr mine.
My original purpose in the introduction OF
the bill was to enable the negroes Of the
over-populated sections of the south to get
where they s.uid improve their e cond daisy;
and relieve the congestion in the south,
where there is too much Of that kind Of la.
Dor. The idea of their going to Africa came
up incidentally and rather as a corollary to
the other. The question is asked, il
intolerable, Why does not the white Tace
move? The answer to this is very simple
and conclusive. The white race will not
move. They own the soil for the most
part and will not abandon it. That dis
poses Of that proposition. Then. say the
negroes, we will not move. The south II
our home also. Very we'll; my reply to
that Is, remain where you are. il You
are content to continue the "scullion race"
a. your colored Bishop Turner says-so b
II. My own opinion il, your condition in
life would be much improved by moving to
other parts of the country or to Africa, but.
OF course, you must judge Of the wisdom of
that opinion and govern yourselves Accord
ingly. can stand it il you can. Nobody
is attempting to compel You to move.
Now as to my motives. have never pre-
tended to be negro worshiper. Ny own
conscience tells me that / am not negro
hater, and therefore am actuated BY no
feeling of luminosity or aversion to the
negro. Lam not dishonest enough to lie to
him, to curry favor with him by appealing
TO his prejudices, or to wilfully
mislead him by. hypocritically pro-
TO get his vote. This I can not and viii
not do. whatever the consequences. The
negro has done nothing to me to make me
hate him. On the contrary, with rare ex.
,eptions, have received nothing but kind
ness at his hands, and in the exceptional
cases he was more the victim OF
misplaced confidence in vicious an
men Of my own race, than the