The Washington bee., 1903-02-07

For some time articles have appear
ed IN the daily press throughout the
country relative TO Senator Tohn Nor
gan, of Alabama and his deportation
talucy. Attorney Thomas L. Jones,
who was anxious TO ascertain whether
Senator Morgan really meant what
had been published and whether he
had been correctly reported, hence Mr.
Jones addressed him the following
letter:
Hon. John T. Morgan,
My Dear Senator
For the last twenty years there has
been no man in public life, whose pub
lie utteranCes on the Negro question
have commanded and elected more
keen interest, among The COloTeu peo-
pie OF this country than yours, and
while my people admire and honor you
! for your frankneSS of statement, they
have some how conceived the idea
| that your position upon the solution
OF the so called Negro Problem is hos
tile 10 their best interest.
By news papers and perported in
terviewS attributed 10 you, you have
been ICharged with entertaining the
view that the only solution to the
Race Problem is the deportation of
the Negro TO Africa.
IL is generally believed that some
years ago you offered a bill in the
/ United States Senate, for the fOrCible
! Deportation of all the ColOTed people
of this country to Africa. Recently
you have been charged with the in
| tention in the near future of offering a
bill for the purpose of having the Gov
eTnment 10 depOTt the COlOred people
of the South to the Philippine Islands.
j am 10 address the Bethel Literary
and Historical Association on the
27th of January 1903 in this city at the
| metropolitan A. NJ. Z. Church NJ. ST,
northwest, on the subject: "Senator
Morgan and his Negro Deportation
/ FalaCy." May | ask, whether you are
the author of any bill, having for its
object the Deportation of the Negroes
fiOm this country as alleged? or do
| you intend offering such measure pro-
vidlng for the torCible deportation
of the COlOTed people to the Philippine
/ Islands?
a great injustice. perceive, has al
ready been done you by evil designed
persons, in misrepTesenting your true
position, and 1t is with view of aScer-
tanning your correct position, upon this
all important matter, and one of vital
interest TO my people that | address
YOU this letter. | cannot afford to, and
would not, misrepTesent you.
1t is earnestly hoped that you will
find il convenient to give me in your
own way the information sought. and
also your position during these years
on this question.
Hoping that / may be pardoned for
trespassing upon your valuable time.
! have the honor to be,
Your obedient servant,
Thomas L. Jones.
In reply to the foregoing letter Sen
atOr Morgan sent the following reply Z.
Your letter of December 81 IS in the
spirit of kindness and sincerity that
appreciate, and requires an answer
! from me in the same spirit.
Iak"I have not brought forward any
/ discussion of the race question in the
United States, believing that the
opinions of the white and black races
are not sufficiently matured, as 10 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 mace
up their minds to migrate to some fore
| IGN land. or to some land under the
! shelter ofthe government Ofthe United
| States, it will be timely and right To
| discuss the question Of the induCem ent
or assistance that 1t may become the
duty of the government to give to
such movement.
| PROVISION FOR THE NEGRO.
'Since came to the Senate. and
| before that time, have thought OF the
| subject of clearing the way for the VOL
untary emigration of the African race.
! II the time should ever arrive when
they would be willing to emlgrate and
should determine to 60 10 another
country, ! have thought and still thlnK
that there is a strong element OF ma
Itural Justice in making such provision
for the benefit of that race, when 1t is
requested by such numbers, and IN
such form, as to attract the serious al
tentiOn of Congress.
81 have been influenced by such
orinions in the moral support OF the
reDublic Of Liberia and in the enCour-
iadement of every successful mission
i6 The central region of the Free Stat,
of fEe Congo conducted by Rev.
Samuel LapSley a white man, aho
/ Rev. Mr.. Sheppard, a negro. 0oth oi
them Ala bamlanS. II has been very
successful.
I'm a legislative way have tried tc
lay the foundations for such VoIun sn,
[. ~ movement of The negroes OF Amei
/ ica by assisting in giving natlona
character and lag to Free state oil tht
/ Congo and by voting for the treaty o
peace with Spain. The hrsL oI the9t
movements attracted my attention soI'
ly for the reason that It gave the pro
mise of home for American negIoe::
linthe heallhiest and most fertile Te8lo'
of Africa; and the treaty OF PaIis
I tod