The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-03-03
POPULATION OF VIRGINIA.


That part of the census report bearing upon
the population Of this State, which we pub
lshed in our issue of Sunday, shows that the
present number Of white inhabitants in VIZ
cinia is 1O4 $50. and Of colored 6i0, s57. This
is an increase Of l27. s35 for the whites as COM
pared with the enumeration Of 1880. and TO-
GAG for the negroes The whites have now in
this State n clear majority Of 4G3 s23 a margin
sufficiently wide. 1t would seem. to assure US
in the future against the evils Of negro
domination.
There is no class in our communities which
this enormous numerical prepondcrance in
favor Of the white people is more likely 20
benefit than the negroes themselves The
prospect Of general Improvement IN their
condition is always advanced in proportion TO
the removal of the very natural fears enter
tanned 10y the whites. that the colored voters
viii be used TO put the stable administration
OF our State affairs in jeopardy. The less dan
gcrous the negro becomes as a political factor,
the stronger grows the disposition OF the
whites to regard him with kindness and good
will and as far az he deserves 1t, TO extend 10
him fuller opportunities Of promoting his
fortunes.
The fact that the Census Report Of 1890 dis
closes a higher rate Of numerical expansion for
the white people Of the South than for the
black. Will have a very important effect upon
the general condition Of the negroes IN every
part Of the southern States, for tho reason
which we have already mentioned. A. their
political importance decline. their material
prospects will improve as far as q more favor
al le attitude on The part If the whites can eX-
erci.c any direct influence upon these pros
poets.
The disproportion between the two races IN
Virginia at the present time is likely TO In
crease at q very rapid rate in the course of the
decade 10 expire in 1900. This increase Will
be fastened by the operation Of two facts
which viii be Independent Of the natural
growth Of the whites and blacks.
First, the immigration to this State from
tie North and West in the course of the next
few wears promises to Doe enormous. The de
velopment of our mineral resources has al
ready attracted 10 the more favored parts Of
the State very large lumber # people who
were residents Of the sections referred to.
This number is only the advance guard Of an
army that will be drawn 10 our towns and
afterwards 10 our agricultural districts by the
advertisement Of our different advantages
which is now being SO earnestly pressed. I'M
migration Of whites to our country districts
Will have an injurious effect upon the condi-
ton Of the negroes for it will accelerate the
present tendency towards the division of the
soil into small holdings to be cultivated by
the owners.
Secondly. there has been developed IN re-
cent years a marked disposition among the
negroes Of the black districts, in consequence
Of various causes among them natural rest
lessness and the depression IA agriculture, 20
dispense. All the counties in Southside Viz
ginia, in which the greater part OF the colorcd
population Of the State is seated, show a re-
lativo decline in the number Of their negro
inhabitants. not so much from a high death
rate as from emigration, many having re-
moved 10 the North, but still larger number
having settled in other sections OF the Com
monwealth,
Time will undoubtedly increase this ten
dency among the negroes to abandon their
old communities