Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-02-02
EMIGRATION OF SOUTHERN NEGROES


the blacks of the South are fit to become
independent and intelligent American
citizens, then they are fit to colonize land
that climatically and productivity is rich
and ready to their hand, must be admitted.
But it does not follow that they should of
necessity realize the latter condition and
occupy the land. Indeed, we do not I'M
derstand Senator Buffers argument to say
as much, though the conclusion is deduct
bic that he would be ready to support
measure to make their emigration prac-
tically compulsory. He is, however, too
good lawyer not to perceive that the
United States cannot entertain for mo-
ment the idea that the negro can be COM
PEELED to emigrate. 1t may be that in the
order of nature it is ordained that the
egro in America shall become master of
land in which only his own will dwell as
citizens, but it will do US no good to specu-
late in that direction, though we confess
to the belief that the African continent
promises him more than our own. The
freedman is with US, and not because he so
willed it. He has been invested with SOW
ereignty, and the nation that conferred the
right will never recall it. If he ever de-
parts from us it must be of his own free
will and enthusiastic hope for better con-
ditions.
If history proves anything at all it
establishes this truth, that all successful
emigration has taken the initiative by col
onization by small bodies, and that it has
been voluntary and has received no con-
siderable aid by invitation of States. That
it has been voluntary in all cases is true,
if we except the flight in body of the
Goths into the Roman Empire when pur-
sued by the Huns. That is to say, there
is no notable instance of a great body or
nation of people involuntarily moving out
from under one condition by emigration
into new one of independence. The
movements Of the Gothic tribes were those
of conquest, save when Valens invited
them to enter his domain. To the law
that successful colonization has been under
the pioneering of small bodies, the exo
dus Of the Hebrew tribes forms singular
exception The movement of the Nor
mons westward in compact mass is not in
point, since they did not leave the coun-
try. 1t is said that the emigration of the
Beers into South Africa is an example of
great body of people emigrating, but we
do not think that it can be said truthfully
to have been such an exodus as would be
parallel to that of the FIVE millions of
blacks in the South should they emigrate
as body.
Any successful going out of people
must be the result of voluntary colonial
ton; so, too, it must originate with the
people, who must be inspired by leader
ship, and by what is more essential,
enthusiasm, which gives courage, is the
support of hope, and promises high re-
ward. We do not recall record of emf
grafton at all successful that has been
born out of or stimulated by other than
the spirit of the people, except one, and
that was the success of Russian premiums
offered for Germanic emigration and settle
ment within Russian jurisdiction. But
the whole of that movement did not
reach a round million, and is not to be
mentioned in the same breath with the
voluntary immigration to America of the
peoples of Europe.
1t Is not therefore reasonable to suppose
that the passage of bill to encourage the
emigration of the Southern blacks would
accomplish much. If there was manifest
among them, first desire to depart, and
second, if they had plans laid looking to
new and independent relations with the
world from the vantage of land their
own, it might be well to encourage the de-
sire and stimulate the movement by
judicious legislation. But the idea that
the desire may be awakened by legisla-
ton, that the movement toward the west
shore of the African continent by the
blacks will be inaugurated by seductive
laws, must, in the light of all historical
| record, be esteemed delusive.