The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-09-13
THE STATUS OF THE NEGRO IN
THE SOUTH.

The whites are steadily increasing
over the increase of negroeS in some
of the southern states. In Virginia
and North Carolina it is so. In 1890,
in North Carolina the percentage of
whites was 5S per cent, but in 1900 1t
was 65 per cent, an increase OF Z per
cent. in ten years. In Virginia in 1890,
the whites had So per cent, h same
is North Carolina, while in 1900 it had
risen to 62 per cent, 3 per cent. less
than in North Carolina. The negro
race is developing better in the low
and and sub-tropical regions. Ar
kansas shows a small white loss, as
does Alabama, and Florida, Georgia
remains very nearly the same, Mary
and increased less than 1 per cent.
Louisiana shows 2.0S per cent. increase
Kentucky shows COS per cent. increase,
Mississippi had 4 per cent. more of in
crease in negroes than in whites. The
New Orleans Picayune says that for
the first time in 100 years the whites
have a majority in Louisiana.
What about negro deportation or
IIllSIdllOl W ally III SOulllly 10 II
possible? Is it desirable. The negro
Bishop Turner amuses himself yearly
by strongly favoring a speedy and
complete migration. How do northern
newspapers of the most intelligent
kline think of it. The New York
Times indicates the idea of migration
as "a delusion." 1t says:
18th black is here to stay until his
vices, his idleness, his sloth and his in
capacities shall so weaken him and put
him so far behind in the struggle for
existence that his race Will fade away
some centuries hence before the sue
cessful races by which he is environ
ed. The problem will be with us, too.
Future generations of philanthropists
will cudgel their brains over it's solu-
ton, perhaps with better success. A
period of creative industrial develop
ment in the south, the establishment,
of great industries, the building of rail-
roads. the upbuilding Of big cities, and
the inflow of a great population of
whites working hard for their living
and Transforming the business and So
cial life of the southern states would
powerfully affect the negro. If he con-
tinued to be lazy and slothful, improvi-
dent and vicious, it would pretty rapid
ly crowd him to the wall"
The Brooklyn Eagle, democrat, ad-
mitS that crimes against life and vir-
tue in the south are very greatly in
creased within a dozen years. 1t has
a correct view Of the negro under the
old regime, the "old plantation" life,
fire to the northern invasion. It says
that reaping n mending by the ne
| groes are "a new development" II
draws a picture of the negro in anti
bellum days:
The negro was no such man be-
fore. He was respectful, good-natured
obedient and on almost every planta-
ITO where he found forced employ
ment he won the affections of his mas
tiers and their families.
Now he seems to have forgotten all
allegiance n to be the victim of his
passions. Not only has he grown idle
without prescribed employment, no
only does he dice n drink too much.
but he has become a creature Of vio-
lence, a ravisher n murderer and
outlaw. His former friends now fear
MIN and isolated homes are not regard
ed as safe without watch dogs, hounds
or chase and wakeful people on the
remlses armed with rifles.
II the tendency to savagery Is great
er tnan a tendency to rise from his
ancient condition and better himself
In such places as the schools of Hamp-
ton n Tuskegee. Heaven help the ne
gre. Tor there must be q war more