The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-01-31

dren became fired with an enthusiasm that brooLed
no opposition and sent vast trampng through
Europe and Asia to the Holy Land.
The very emotionalism of the negro furnishes IL
fertile soil for this appeal. would not play upon
the emotions simply to arouse them. No true man
would feelings simply to mock them If
Africa furnished inducements, if it did not pro
pose the settlement of perplexing question, if l
did not think it offered to the negro improvement
his condition and future, L would abandon my
theory l believe it offers HIM possibilities that do
lie in the future in this land tor him, and when
the are placed before him, believe he will not
only be willing CO. but that he will want to 90.
The fact is that he is beginning to want to go.
The third question is, is this Increment Practca-
be2" The removal of the negroes of this land to
Africa is not mpracticable. There about nine
millions of negroes in this country. Their removal
looks like colossal task. The undertaking is not
easy one, but it be done. What will it cost?
Mr.. Edward Atkinson says 1t cost this land about
eight billions of dollars to set the negro free This
being true, might spend five hundred millions in
sending him back to the land of his ancestors.
1t is also question OF time 1t cannot be done
at 1t will take time, but i'll fifty years, with
expenditure of millions Of dollars year, this
would accomplish itself. Their removal would take
place in such way to cause violent disturb
in the economic conditions of this country, due
to the removal of large portion of its popula
ton. This would give time Africa to prepare
for those to later. l believe, too that the de
velopment in Africa would enable many who go
that land, to improve their circumst to such Il
degree that like of the emigrants who come to
this land they would be able accumulate enough
to send for relatives remaining III this country.
The question of transp Ortation in this day of steam
ships is il minor question. The facilities ample
In the year 1904 the steamships brought TO
shores million immigrants. In addition to
these the vast number who annually cross and
recross the ocean. With the vast and ever ncreas-
ing commerce of the world, the question of trans
portaton becomes easier every year. Between the
years 1880 and 1887 the fleet engaged in the emgra
ton business, carried to this country from Europe
four and one-half millions of emigrants. With
transportation service larger than at present
threefourths of the negro population OF this land
could be carried to Africa in ten years.
| believe the effect of this movement would be
most happy. 1t would settle Il question,
acute. 1t would remove the negro man from the
sphere of politics. 1t would take away all fear OF
social equality and amalgamation. 1t would
establish the old feelings of cordality and good feel
ing. 1t would make the white willing to do
anything in his power to better the condition of the
black and fit him for his new home. Advan- .
tages now wanting and withheld would be freely
given. The cause for mutual recrminations between
individuals in both sections would be removed. If
the slogan could be raised among the negro popula-
ton of this land Back to Africa at once an era of
good feeling would be naugurated
Until that cry is raised both the white and
the black have something to do. That cry has not
yet been raised. God may cause it to be raised at
any moment His providence is pointing that way
lhe millions in Africa must be saved. Ethiopia Is
stretching out her hand to God. What a powerful
evangelistic force the Christian negroes of this land
might be to their pagan brothers.
Is that appeal it comes to the black man of
this country to find response? Will he turn to it
deaf earl | believe the redemption of the hun
dred millions of heather black men and women i'm
Africa is largely in the hands of the Christian black
men and women of this land. If instead of needing
the cry from these perishing millions of their own
race and blood the American negro prefers to remain
mere and build houses and accumulate money and
have good time, then they must reckon with that