The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-01-14
Negroes in Canada

The total colored population in Toron-
to is about 500, almost the same as the
French and Italians. The older genera
tons of negroes are escaped slaves, who
came here before the war, and have re-
manned since. 1t will be remembered
that negroes came to this country in
large numbers during the days of slave
ry, but many returned when assured of
their freedom. Some remained. however,
and of these Toronto, Hamilton and
Chatham come in for a good share. There
are possibly not more than fifteen living
here 10Y of those who did not return,
and, like their numbers, their days are
getting few. The younger generation
est misfortune they have experienced
was caused by almost total cessation of
employment by city hotels of colored
help, and since that time there have
been many negroes whose employment
has been more or less uncertain. OF such
as are employed, a good number are in
the Pullman car service, possibly more
are BARRIERS, four are letter carriers,
some are walters and restaurant keepers,
others day laborers, and among those in
special lines of business are a photo
grapher an ice merchant and a coal mer-
chant. A large number do odd jobs of
one sort and another, and possibly one
third are without steady employment.
The women among them do a good deal
of work, and they seem to have better
opportunities of employment than the
house servants, others do washing and
laundry work and a few are engaged in
dressmaking and sewing at home. They
have not saved much money, though a
few own a little property in the city. 1t
is seldom that much crowding is found
among them, and, taking them together,
they must be regarded as very p~eaceable
citizens. A few become troublesome at
times, but, as a rule, the negro is in
clined to be friendly with his neighbors
and congenial to those whom he meets.
They take earnestly to education, and
are fond Of reading. The children attend
the public schools and hold their own
with other schools.
In religion they are becoming less emo
have always been. They lave two
churches Of their own the British Epis-
copal and the African Methodist Episco-
pal; they also had a colored Baptist
toria streets, but it has recently been
abandoned. A good many attend the
small missions in st. Johns ward. Some
of their number belong to the Masons.
the Odd Fellows and the Knights of
Pythias. They generally avail them
selves of the privileges of the franchise
when occasion offers, but as a body have
taken little interest in municipal af-
fairs.
The colored people were strong in their
opposition to the Sunday cars, some from
religious motives and others because of
their opposition to monopolies of any
kind. They are, for the most part, in
hearty accord with the union plan of or
ganized labor, but on account of their
small numbers have not taken a promi-
nent part in it.
The colored man has proved himself to
be a good citizen, and on this account it
seems a pity hat most of the young
men among their number find it necessa-
ry to leave for the other side. They
complain that it is difficult for them to
secure places here which they are de-
sirous and capable of filling, and that
they lave already been forced to leave.
In the United States their labor and abil-
1ty seem to be more appreciated.