Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-28
Senator Morgan Expresses
His Views in a Letter.
EXHAUSTIVE REVIEW
LAWYER THOMAS L. JONES RE-
PLIES TO ALBANIAN.
Makes Vigorous Attack on PROPOSE
tons and Defends Rights of
His Race.


a colored lawyer OF this city wrote Senator
Morgan of Alabama asking If the latter
had offered a bill in the Senate or intended
to offer a bill to compel the emigration Oh
negroes from this continent to the Philip
pines. Senator Morgan sent an answer OIL
considerable length, which was made the
subject of an address by Mr.. Jones before
the Bethel Literary and Historical Asso-
citation last evening
Senator Morgan's letter was as follows:
your letter Of December 81 Is in the
spirit of kindness and sincerity that l ap-
preciate. and requires an answer from me
in the same spirit.
81 have not brought forward any discus
sion of the race question In the unlted
States, believing that the opinions of the
white and black races are not sufficiently
matured as to the future of the African
race to make such a discussion profitable.
when the African race, or any i'm
portant number of them, have made up
their minds to migrate to some foreign
land, or to some land under the shelter OF
the government of the United Stat IS, II
will be timely and right to discuss the
question of the inducement or assistance
that 1t may become the duty of the govern
ment 10 give to such movement
Provision for the Negro.
"Since 1 came to the Senate, and 5afcre
that time, l have thought of the subject OF
clearing the way for the voluntary emigra-
tion Of the African race. If the time should
ever arrive when they would be willing 10
emigrate and should determine to go TO
another country, l have thought, and still
think, that there is a strong element oil
natural justice in making such provision
for the benefit of that race, when 1t is re-
Quested by such numbers, and in such
form as to attract the serious attention OF
Congress.
Il have been Influenced by such opinions
in the moral support of the republic OF
Liberia and in the encouragement of every
successful mission in the central region
of the Free State of the Congo conducted
by Rev. Samuel Lapsley, white man, ana
Rev Mr. Sheppard, a negro, both of them
Alabamians. 1t has been very successful
''In a legislative way l have tried t. lay
the foundations for such voluntary move
ment of the negroes of America by assist
ing In giving national character and lag
to the Free State of the Congo and by
voting for the treaty of peace with Spain
The first of these movements attracted my
attention, solely for the reason that 1t
gave the promise of a home for American
negroes in the healthest and most fertile
region of Africa; and the treaty of Paris.
for which l voted presented equal adj
vantages to the voluntary negro emigcant
who may choose to find good home under
our flag.
"Oulu OC
Your letter indicates that there is
opinion among the people that have gone
much farther than 1 have above stated,
and that have offered bill in the Senate,
or intend to offer BILL to compel the en-
igration of negroes from this continent to
the Philippine Islands. Such statement
IS without foundation.
Such a movement would be in utter dis
regard of the Constitution of the United
States.
Il have done all that lay in my power. in
the measures above referred to, to assist in
preparing homes for them in the countries
of their origin, to which they can return, if
such Is their wish.
This subject is freely opened to the At
rican race in the United States, and they
can go or stay according to their will and
pleasure. l shall neither persuade them TO
go or to stay.
II have some opinions as to the capacity
of the negro race for mental, moral and
physical growth. which do them dis
credit. They are the result of the observa-
lions of a long life that has been spent in
their midst. Such opportunities have con-
WINGED me that the negro race has no fair
chance for full development in any country
where the white race is in the majority.
No Fear or Jealousy.
Not that the white man has any fear or
jealousy of the power of the black man, or
any wish to keep him in a state of restraint
or repression; but 1t is true. through all
past history, that the negro race has never
governed in a country where the white race
is In the majority, or even where it is found
in considerable numbers.
In all ages of which we have historical
records the negro race has occupied central
and southern Africa and they have made
no real effort to exercise authority over
races or nations that have occupied north
Africa Isl
rope. They have been at all times free to
migrate to southern Europe, and have been
protected by the laws while residing in
those countries. Yet in all that vast and
attractive region there are probably fewer
negroes than can be found in a single coun-
ty in Alabama; while all southern Africa Is
now practically ruled by white men.
we may have different theories on which
we account for these facts, but the facts
remain. and they show the practical i'm
possibility or the real advancement of the
negro In country where they are in COM
petition with the white race.
You are a lawyer and l have no reason
TO doubt your proficiency in that learned
profession. / gather from your appearance
that you are a full-blooded negro. without
any admixture of the blood of any other
race. and when you speak of your people |
INFER that you allude to the negro race
Having the unmixed blood of the negro
race In your veins, l also infer that yo,,r
eympathies and racial affections are not
confined TO the American negroes
Ihere must be many as 10000 900
negroes of full blood in Africa
No Excuse for Yielding.
IF only 100000 of them had the cultiva-
ton you possess there would be no
excuse for yielding the power TO conduct
government. in their own country. into the
hands of any other race. Such opportuni-
ties would be quite sufficient to stir the en-
terprise and excite the courage and race af-
fections of the white men,
Il suppose the time may come when they
Will draw your race toward your native
land, and | have had no unkind or un-
friendly motive in what have been irving
TO do, In the preparation OF the country
where your kinsmen wait to receive the
advantages of light and knowledge that you
possess.
Many OF your people are averse to Civ
ing up the rights and privileges of citizen
ship In the United States. and it is not to
their discredit
Il have thought, and am now satisfied
that, in the Philippine Islands. they can
md localities for very large colonies. in a
country well suited TO their wants and
tastes, where they will be free from the
actual competition OF the white race. 1t is
country in which they could do much
j.. good to other races who would welcome
them.
But l need not discuss this matter any
further, / only refer TO this view of II m
IN ~ ~tN