The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-08-04
ANOTHER PROPOSED EXODUS
Plan to Take Colored People to the Republic OF
Liberis-Two Millions Agree to Go.

-
Liberia-Two Millions Agree to Go.
Washington Special 20 New York Herald
The fifth movement since the war TO M
duce general exodus of the colored people
from the United State to Liberia is now on
foot Mr.. Benjamin CASTOR. who emigrsted
from Georgia TO L iberia In 1867. and who 10
. successful farmer in that country. has
been In Washington for the past few days
Mr.. CASTOR was born a slave at Columbus,
Ga. He is the authorized agent of the liz
berian Emigration Company. en- organize
tion founded In that far of land to induce
American negroes TO emigrate thither
Mr.. CASTOR has been here with Capt John
Murray. representing Elder. Depster a. Co.
of Liverpool. owners of an extensive
steamship line engaged in the African
trade. to transport the colored emigrants
to Liberia. An arrangement has been prac-
tically reached whereby CAPTAIN Murray
agrees TO transport the emigrants at q
minimum cost from any port between New
York and New Orleans Mr.. CASTOR left
this morning for Atlanta. Ga. where be 10
working up the emigration fever. He 10
evidently IN earnest. aud has already de-
u
Metropolitan Bank, of this city. as gu ar
antee to Captain Murray before making
contract
l saw Captain Murray to-day Just pre-
vious to his departure for thiladelphia-
He seems to have considerable faith in .
future trade with Liberia. and il anxious
to enter as a pioneer In assisting an exodus
to that country. which he believes 10 about
to take place among the colored people Of
the South. In speaking of the benefits to
be derived from such an enterprise he said:
III 10 a solution, and the best one posi-
bic. of troublesome question. Africa 10
the home of the black man, and there 10
every reason TO think he would thrive
ment. We have thousand miles of
land waiting for settlers to occupy.
The climate is salubrIous and the
coil extremely productive. Ii has been
only recently found out that In our mahog-
any, which 10 the best in the world, We
have a source of great wealth. as we'll as in
the bamboo fibre, that commands q ready
market anywhere. Besides there is money
to be made In cultivating coffee. ginger and
other tropical products.
There is every Inducement for the col
ored people of the South to 90 where they
can own their own homes, and where they
are assured Ut q comfortable existence. We
are ready with the ships at any time. and
can land passengers on the Liberian coast
from any Southern port In about seventeen
days"
for the South, had this to say about his mis-
sion and the prospects for general upris-
ing:
Il am just back from trip in the South.
and at Chattanooga and Atlanta made
speeches to crowded houses. My remarks
were enthusiastically received. Every
where the people signiied their earnest
desire to leave their present homes. They
look on Africa as the promised land-the
home of their forefathers.
~I havo w lliop ofurae of rolara1
people who are eager to get away. i think
at least tive millions would emlgrate If
they had the opportunity.
This 10 no wild cat scheme or trick to
humbug the people. Ii is sanctioned by no
less q man than President Cheeseman. Of
the Republic of Liberia. who is also presl-
dentof ourcompany. The Legislature of the
Republic is in full sympathy with the move
ment and has adopted q most liberal policy
to encourage o wholesale exodus on the
part of the race now inha biting the South.
1t is the dearest wish of our people TO pro-
mote the accession of our brethren from the
United States. We will do all In our power
to aid them and the land has been set aside
for their use.
I'VE think. too. that the United States
government will help. We hope TO get
Congress to appropriate some money in this
cause and to meet our government half
way. What i am doing 10 for the welfare
of nv people. i have among the Southern
people some of my dearest friends. but the
old-time conditions are radically changed.
1t is no longer possible for whites and
blacks 70 live together harmoniously. The
only peaceful wsy out of the trouble 10 for
the black man to return to the home of his
ancestors.n
Isaw ex-senator b. X. Bruce, Recorder
of Deeds for the District, aud asked him
what he thought of the scheme.
Il have just come from the South" he
said, and ind no indication of excitement
over migration TO Liberia. There IL no
II of all
there be. If any one imagsnes that the col
Ored people are going TO leave the United
States he 10 mistaken. They were born here
and here they mean TO stay. In spirit OF
unrest they. Ike W hlte men, move from one
State TO another. Many are now going to
Southern California and INTO New Mexico.
where the climate 10 similar to that of their
native Southern States. But they don't in
tend To go outside the limits of the United
States. at least IN any apDTeciable numbers.
This movement of Mr.. Gaston's ia the
fifth that has been started since the war,
and what Is the RESULT The Liberian
colonization scheme was started seventy
years ago and there are now IN that conn
try fewer than twenty Thousand America
Africans predict that Mr.. Gaston's plan
will fail as have all previous NOV ements.
The colOred people are becoming educated
and look To the United States as the CONN.,
try of their future development OF
course there is a class that will be affected
by the arguments of MIR. CASTOR and tho
offers made of homes in Liberia which
that republic is holding out, but their num-
bers are insignificant. The leading men of
the cOlored race are opposed to an emigrs-
ton TO any country. You remember i'm the
last Congress bill was introduced appro-
priatng 800, 600 TO aid cOlored people in
emigrating to Liberia. The leaders among
the negroes quietly went before the House
committee and told the members that the
cOlored people did not want any such aid
and the bill was promptly killed"
"Why Am a Protectionist"
nf Plffshnrn N an