The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1905-04-13
DON'T WANT THE NEGRO.
Why the North Discourages Emiera-
tion to the South.
Atlanta Constitution.

Atlanta Constitution.
The agitation Of the Southern press
Tor immigration from the North and
Europe as a remedy for the South's
vexed labor problem seems to be
worrying some Of our Northern con-
temporaries a great deal. They fear
that the result Of wholesome immi-
grafton South will be to throw the
poor negro out Unemployment. Their
concern for the negro, ii it were based
on philanthropical motives, would be
all very well, but it is apparent enough
that what they are exercised about
is the probability that the negro, un-
able to successfully compete with
white labor in the South, will start an
exodus of negroes North in quest of
employment and transfer the Grace
problem" from the South to the
North.
Some of our Northern contempOra-
rles i'll decrying the plan of the federal
commissioner of immigration to CO.
operate with Southern railroads and
other Southern immigration agencies
III turning the tide of immigration
sOuthward do not hesitate to sound
a note OF warning that expressly pro-
claims their motive. For example,
! here is an editorial expression from
the Albany, n Y. 1fmes-Union:
Those who are felicitating the plan of
scattering immigrants in the South,
where labor is isdemanded, may not realize
the complication of the race problem this
plan is certain to bring about.
Immigration will be drawn South,
whether the ships unload at Galveston
or New York; but the resultant new
it's causes.
Some foreigners are replacing the black
| man in the cotton field as rapidly as the
well. accept low pay, and are said to be
stedier Unless some striking objection
develops this system will be extended.
| What, then, will become of the negro?
He will be thrown out Of employment in
a hostile land. No opportunity will be
offered for other pursuits at his old home
if indeed, he was equipped to grasp them.
His haven, naturally, will be the North,
and the South will have shifted its race
problem to the North. Is the North pre-
pared to meet it? What provision will
be made for the influx of common labor
far in excess of the demand?
The Southern negro, with different
ideals and environments, will find his
chances more uneven than those OF the
Northern OF his own color, and his temp
tations more irresistible.
immigration is likely to become triv
ial matter, compared with the effect of
it's development upon the shifting of a
great national puzzle
This is candid enough, and such
candor is refreshing. So long as the
Southern people give the negro en-
ployment and open for him every
practical "door OF hope the North
ern friends of the negro are very well
satisfied to give the South advice on
how to handle the ';man and broth
en-" and to admonish us to beware OF
interfering with his ''civil rights. "
The North, apparently, is fully COM
petent and willing to solve the Grace
problem" at long range. But just as
soon as there is the faintest possibil.
ity of the North being given the
philanthropical privilege of solving
the race problem at close range
hear the professional negrophiles
howl!
The North fears large emf grafton
to the South, believing that it's effect
will be to flood the North with g
negro prOletariat, which. owing more
: to the intense Northern prejudice
, against negro labor than to the over
| crowding OF Unemployment in the North
| would be unable to find employment
there and, consequently, become {
charge on Northern charity and {
criminal menace as well.
Now we know why systematic
campaign of protest has been inaug
urated by the Northern press agains
the encouragement of NOrtherner
and foreign emigrants to go South
The unselfsh interest of our North
ern brethren in the welfare OF th
Southern negro has been beautiful,
t. revealed.
Such papers as the New York SUI
and the Washington Post, in thei
editorial efforts to deprecate South
}, ern emigration, do not state tn
'e reason for their opposition, content
d inc themselves with the declaration
tIiul tllc lltSlo liDoI Suppl1 W VI
II South is adequate and efficient for a!
t. practical purposes of internal deve1
nt Opment and industry. They regar'
n the South as the natural habitat G
is the negro and the Southern people a
d. best qualified to get along with hir
along the lines of least resistance.
The Chicago Chronicle, however
- which is prone to preach itself blac
l. in the face for the benefit of the unre
generate South, is nightly perturbe
over the remote prospect OF Il Soutl
L. ern negro exodus to the North, an
'e, declares it would 'only intensity tn
RI ! problem We are quiteprepared t
believe that this is true, knowing wha
we do about Northern treatment {
tx the negro in the matter OF employ
lr- ment. As the Louisville Times OF
,tn serves, aprOpOs:
~ ~ 1T would probably result in MOI
N. lynchings and labor troubles, but a SAT
ce der phase of the situation would be ths
the Chronicle with negro in its midst,