The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1894-12-12
Colonlsts for Liberia.

line steamship AauodS OlGy3 mu1eA
arrived here yesterday afternoon from
Savannah, Ca, brought, among her
passengers, twelve negroes, old and
young, and of both sexes, the advance
guard Of a large African colonization
scheme now on foot throughout sever
al Southern States.
The plan originated early this year
in the mind Of Bishop Turner, who
is now travelling through the South.
It was formulated and put into shape
by Je-e Mcmillan, a white man, of
Birmingham, Ala, who founded what
is known as the International lmmi-
grafton Society.
The plan of the society is not new,
by any means, and this particular
scheme seems to have had large fol-
lowing from its inception. The socie-
ty is now said to number four thous-
and. Yesterdays advance guard were
members Of committee appointed by
the society to go to Africa and arrange
for the reception Of large body Of
negroes that will soon follow. :.
President Cheesman, Of Liberia, it
is said, has promised the colonists
land and farming implements. 1t is
asserted that 1900 Southern negroes
are now congregated in New Orleans,
Mobile. Savannah and Charleston,
ready to start as soon as the commit
tee gives the word.
The first big lot, numbering 500,
will leave this port next month.
The Liberian Congress will welcome
them, and President Cheesman has
written letters to the promoters OF the
scheme urging the negroes to come. /,
The advance guard is in charge OF
D. L. johnson, an intelligent negro,
of Hot Springs, Ark, Johnson's wife
and four children accompanying him.
The other members Of the party are
Lafayette Woodhall, wife and two
children, John Hines and Shadwick
Smith, of Pine Bluff, Ark. The wo-
men in the party appeared to be much
pleased with the prospect.
"You see," explained Leader John
son, who I saw on board the steamer
last evening, ''the negroes OF the
South have about arrived at the con-
clusion thatthe race prejudice against
them is increasing rather than dimin-
ishing. This feeling is particularly
bitter in Arkansas. Outrages are fire.
ouent, and there seems to be no way
Of redress. Courts and juries alike
are against US, and in some sections a
negroes life is never safe for mo-
ment.
"Our society is gaining in member
ship all the time. The movement is
spreading throughout the ert..re South.
Our meetings are held - secret. We
realize that there would be no use in
trying to fight the whites. No resource
was left to us but to get out OF the
country.
"President Cheesman and the Lii
berian Congress have assured US that
we will be well taken care Of. Each
colonist will receive twenty-five acres
of land. The Government has also
promised to help the colonists along
until they become self-sustaining.
"It is our intention to found a set
tlement," added Johnson. "We will
build town, and expect in a very few
years to become a hourishing COM
munity. The society has arranged
for transportation, so that it will only
cost each colonist $41 to 60 from any
Southern point to Liberia. We do
not want the idlers and no-accounts
with US. We expect that each colon
ist will have about 5000 in gold when
he leaves this country.
IT should not be surprised to see
10 900 negroes leave the South within
a year. The Liberian climate is mild
and delightful. The colonists are sure
to get along if they will work.
johnson and his party will leave
here on Wednesday on the steamer
Adriatic. They will proceed to Mon
rovia, the Liberian capital, via Liver
pool. johnson said that most Of the
supplies for the new colony will be
purchased in this city.-Ne'o York