The sun., 1899-05-16
An AFRICAN ON .4FRICi.
The American Negro Cannot Rebuild That
Continent-The African Can and Will.

COntinent-The African Can and Will.
To THE EDITOR OF The SUN-Si': For some
time past have read with considerable inter-
est sometimes not unmixed with little curl
osity as to the sincerity OF some OF the writer's
in the columns OF THE Sun on the status Of
the negro in the United States and the feasi-
biity and practicability OF his deportation into
Africa
The supporters OF the movement have urged
that Africa is the land OF the negro. and that
there. undeterred by contending forces and
unimpeded by the action OF racial prejudice. he
will be able to work out his destiny: in other
words. he would metaphorcally sit under
his own vine and fgtree. none daring to make
him afraid. Now. let us make brief retro
spection OF history. and see II anything in the
past would Justify the hope. and warrant such
a prediction. African slavery was the result OF
internecine contentious and tribal wars. II be-
came possible to deport some millions Of II
hardy race only because the hand OF every
tribe was lifted against the other tribe. and
the house being divided against ITSELF" the
enemy entered.
And what guarantee have the friends Of such
movement to offer that the American negro,
between whom and the native African there is
nothing in common save the accidental matter
OF color. would be received with open arms by
the latter?
Would not the past justify the fear that his
presence in large numbers. Caucasianized in
dress. language. manners and customs. would
excite in the IN inds OF the native African a
feeling OF resentment. suspicion and alarm !?
And. in view Of his frequent maltreatment at
the hands OF his white brother, might he not
regard the Amer ican negro as the ardnt co,u'ier
IN the inauguration OF an era OF repression and
oppression
negro has Inherited to degree Incompatible
with the acquisition OF real strength and the
II in the hatred evinced toward one OF his own
who. may happen to possess ability or worth
See it In the cagerness OF the many TO lead and
rule and in the disposition OF the few to be led
ana governed And since he has not, after three
centuries cen , 81 81 S9 contact with his white brother
lated his white brother In the acquisition Of
tbs tbs M most essential qualification in the forma-
people. It were in vain and Elusive to indulge
the hope that sudden metamorphosls would
The advocates Of this scheme have displayed
the possession OF high scholastic attainments.
and they have each discovered a perfect init
English language. and could they but apply
those great talents to the advocacy OF a posi-
amelioration Of the American negros cOndi-
ton. taking as preliminary lesson the ethics
would be rendered tHeir Kind and sepEase
benefit conferred on posterity,
As native African. in touch with the senti-
OF our section. the west, coast. aud CORE
spending with some of the most influential
natives on the gold coast. the writer is enabled
70 state that the consensus Of opinion among
this class is that the native African contains
within himself all the elements for the up
Duilding Of that country. and that they have
not asked their American cousins TO deliver
their land from errors chain"
The trouble is that most OF the people in this
country in speaking OF Africa have In mind
Liberia and the few rather unimportant tribes
Of that section, They forget. or rather are
igfn2ra9t Of the fact that alone in Western
bah. and numerous other places known to the
writer. there are large numbers OF talented and
highly cultured natives. graduates OF Oxford
Cam6ridge. Edinburgh, Heidelberg. and others
OF Eprope,s famous seats OF learning, erudite
scholars. writers and orators, mon who have
sshone in the salons OF continental Europe, and
70 whose numbers there are being added daily
am hopeful OF q great future. crowned with
success for my native land. Her own natural
sons. and none others. will form q garland OF
brilliant stars. around an ancient crown which.
cast aside for time. will assume its pristine
greatness. challenge the admiration OF a
wondering world. and fuln tho most dearly
ALBANY. AprilI. ~ s. PEREGnINo.