The sun., 1891-06-11
VIII They Return to Africa .?

Bishop TURNER OF the African Methodist
Episcopal Church, believing that tho social
prejudices against his race In this country
will never be obliterated thinks the coiored
| race had better go back to Africa. 1.-THE
only REMEDY" he says, "ls for the self-reliant,
| self-respecting negro, conscious OF his own
worth, to return to tho land " his fathers,
taking his civilization and Christianity with
him. to establish civilized colonies and build
up civilized nations In Africa" The Bishop
adds that thousands Of negro farmers. car
penters, blacksmiths, and machinists In the
South are ready to 60 and he thinks the
Government should assist In the exodus.
Probably Bishop TURNER is correct when
he says the sentiment Is growing among
the Southern negroes In favor Of emigration
to Africa. The officers Of the American Col
thousands are anxious to 60 as soon as they
can arrange their affairs and secure the
mems OF making the momentous and ex-
penslye change. Philadelphians who are in
terested in the proposed steamship line to
West African ports, have reported that the
line would find steady and growing trafflc In
the expected emigration to Africa. Mr.. HE'LL
CHATELA1N, our commercial agent at Lo-
anda, also says that many hundreds OF
Southern negroes are eager to go to Africa.
DR.. BLYDEN OF Liberia, one Of the most dis
tinguished members OF tho negro race.
prophesies that !" fifty years hence the cur
rent OF African humanity setting eastward
will be absolutely irresistible. With aston
ishing success" he writes. has Liberia
been able to impress the aboriginal tribes in
favor Of her Government and laws. Tho
aborigines are getting to understand the
political creed OF the republic an1 to SYM
pathize with the national aims. They are
beginning to look upon Liberia as their
own, q social. political, and Industrial COM
monwealth which includes them and con-
templates their highest interests" The late
Bishop HAVEN after he had seen Africa In
1877 wrote: Lot Liberia fill up her land
with farms and she will conquer Africa"
Tho fact was recognized long ago that the
American negro can return to tropical Africa
aud live there In good health. In Liberia he
suffers for a few months from slight attacks
OF fever, but he speedily becomes accli-
mated. The Congo FREQ State has an
nounced that colored emgrants from
America will be welcomed heartily. 1t tshould
be said, however. that except in the still
undeveoped regions Of the upper river.
the Congo does not offer an inviting fold for
colonists. Col. MALoNEY. the energetic
British Governor Of Lagos on the Gulf OF
Guinea, is doing all In his power to facili-
tate the immigration Of negroes from Brazil,
and freedmen from South America are con-
tinually making their way back to Africa.
It is this eastward movement Of the de.
scendants OF African captives to which Is
partly due tho little steam ship service be-
tween Brazil and Lagos. the only direct
steam connection now existing between
Africa and the Western world.
During his recent visit to this country Mr..
STANLEY said that Africa has work and re-
wards for the American negro; and In time
the outgoing OF our black countrymen may
naSume imDOrtant nropOrtiOns.