The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-07-11
. oALI 1aon - AgnIoA.
why Tire Lagos ..Reesrt- Thints me Euturs Of
the Negro Lies en- che Dark Cortinent.

tire Negro Lies On che Dark Oontinent.
Those who imagine that the African negroes.
especially those In the little republic Of Liberia
and in tho English colonies In Africa who have
adopted European civilization and secured a
measure Of education. are Indifferent to tho
condition OF Afro-Amerlcons, make q mistake.
Men OF tho learning Of DIR. Edward Wilmot
Blyden, who has made many visits to tho
United States, and served us Minister for
Liberia at the Court OF st. JNmes's, keep a close,
intelligent, and sympathetic watch upon events
in the United States as far as thoae affect Afro
Americans. Indeed, the chances aru that Afri'
can negroes Of intelligence pay moro attention
to tho condition of their rice In the United
Statos than Afro-Amorican negroes pay to tho
condition OF their rnce In Africa. And the
explanation is not far to seek. Intelligent
African negroes believe that, sooner or
later, Afro-American negroes Will return
to Africa. either voluntarily or by force
of adverse conditions in the United States. This
idea hos been cultivated for many years by
American missionaries In Africa. who believe
TINT African slavery could have had no place in
the Divine economy except to prepare tho Afro
American for tho work OF African evangelical
tiou. That tho A~fro-Americnn. himself has re-
fused porsistcntly or neglected to look at the
matter from this point OF Wow has always been
inexplicablc and discouraginK 10 those Ancrt-
cans who are engaged In tho work of African re-
demption and who, year In and year out, are
compelled to rely upon white agents. 1t may be
that tho Afro-Amcricans are stiffening their
necks and shutting their eyes to the Divine pur-
pose, even as the children Of Israel did in tho
land of Egypt. and that persecution will force
them to unbcnd and to open their eyes; but that
time Is evidently far of.
The Lagos West Atrical Weekly Record takes
the missiOnary's view Of the matter. Basing Its
conclusions upon the views set forth in the
series OF articles published in II SUN after
showing the almost complete elimination Of the
Afro-Amcrican from Republican politics as an
influential force, and the subsequent treat
policy, II carried into effect, wifi break up tho
the spoils Of office held almost continuously
since rcconstruction; Offices attained through
and these leaders there was absolutely no sym.
pathy. either in temperament or principles" 1t
as an oficehoiding coiored aristocracy " in the
United States. 1t nocds only to DO located to be
RR ffG%iRIls ed RiesRI pu G1 ssI ih bsei s6 Gf adG o. s'f ha argue 9nS
mcnt in the following extraordinary expression
We are glad to notice this. for we cannot
think the notion otherwise than false in con-
ception and mischievous in It's working among
do not enter ali the higher avoca lions open to
white men IL is by some great injustice which
ofm their h iaftaat n nsSgfS; s shou iaaf bo ' a SUCCESS SS'sst
full rivalry in the social and political career of
the ruling race. We cannot too strongly In,
s and d dsplor sas '" SHpe sanass' tSat * 5Se BLACK fSei" man
has more to lose than to gain by entering, by
perilous enterprise It is wisdom on his part, to
follow his suPeTiors; or he must DC dns ihenc 70
R RisSf has ny ms np nGih'Sss ,asP bis rash 81 '" ]netioSs, his
discords. and his instability. His political or.
ganizations have hitherto proved only ropes OF
Kinley is able 10 arouse them to n sense OF
their position and to show them tho ignis fatuus
evident that their future destiny-at least the
future destiny of the negroes among them.
E%roos-iies o. this continent. set free from the
drawbacks Of theiT Fictitious position in Amer
i bns t dnSor Mi;, have ,1 ,b |SisSnG re t ftes sss5o tGSl5Gn!i0n
When DIR. ,Biyden was in this country a fey
years ago he expressed views identical with
Afro.Americans who did not dissent from them
md denounce DIR. Rlyden for expressing them;
as suicidal in the citizen, the possession Of the
right OF suffrage being regarded as the most
s So siso p pnsr fsnted tho Se IDEA aa n that there 1 wss amy
avenue of American life to participation in
which Afro. Americans might not aspire upon
tional population, and superiority OF one citizen
oyer another, politically. was not admitted.
turn turf to owes west africa as n an asylum irom pcrseca.
tion and industrial competition. but 1t is hardly
The editor OF the Record thinks that "the
republic Of Liberia represents the first INSTALL
mont Of the eXiles.' as he terms Afro-Americans,
and that she has passes; through several crises,
discredit." He thinks 1.-THE time has arrived
when Liberia needs nil the intelligent help she
can get from the United States. both black and
white" Liberals needs in this respect may DO
great and pressing. but the Afro- American at
this timo shows no disposition TO relieve them.
except in isolated instances and among a class
the least Industrious and thrifty. who would be
II burden rather than o help to the small. I'm
poverished, and struggling little republic on the
west coast of Africa.