Richmond planet., 1907-04-13
Shall We Go To Africa?

(No. %
Whence and how came we here?
Is the question for discussion in this
paper.
So far as the generation wnich
saw the conclusion or hostilities be-
tween the two great sections of this
country in 1865 are concerned, II
were needless to discuss this phase
OF the subject. But for the benefit
OF those born since that time and
many whom possibly never heard of
the middle passage we shall nave
some what TO say.
That the present race Of Negroes
now living in the United States are
descendants of natives of Africa who
were kidnapped and otherwise got
ten possession of, brought to this
country and sold into slavery IS a
fact too patent TO be discussed. Most
all Negroes above fifty years of age
now living here have some personal
knowledge and some OF them per-
sonal experience OF the dreaded mid
die passage.
As late as 1859, three years be-
fore the breaking out OF the war be-
tween the states. two slave ships
laden with native Africans were cap
AAAI0 ~ AAAA14 oANAto revenue cut
ters or the coast OF South Carolina
and brought into Charleston harbor.
where for n day or two they were
inspected by all who cared TO pay the
price of an excursion on a steamer
or sail boat. The writer saw them
often while passing on the steamboat
plying between Charleston and Mt
Pleasant They were finally sent
back 70 the shores OF Africa and
turned loose possibly 20 be recap
tured and reshipped TO the slave
markets in the Southern States Of
this country or South America.
The manner OF disposing OF these
poor creatures on board the slave
ship for passage to America was too
horrible for description. But mis-
tory is history and there is no use
in mincing matters.
Prone on the bare floors of the
lower and upper decks OF the
ships. without regard TO sex and in
nude state. these people were row.
ed along with barely room enough
between for the passage OF one to
give them sip OF water or a crust
OF bread. In this cramped and un-
comfortable position without regard
10 the calls OF nature. they were
compelled 10 remain from the en-
barkation TO the decentralization.
The resultant stencil and disease
were something fearful and hundreds
died and were buried at sea. When
IL is remembered that in those davs
Il took months for the crossing of
the ocean, IL may be imagined what
must have been the suffering OF
these poor unfortunate beings.
This is what was known as the
middle passage. After the arrival in
this country came the separation of
near and dear relationship barter
ing OF human flesh and blood for the
nithy gain OF gold. And let me not
iaii TO note here. that not only was
the southern white man engaged in
THIS nefarious traffic but northern
whlte men particularly were engaged
IN II, together with white men of
earth.
IL was a ruthless. brutal business
and hardened and brutalized to the
last extreme all who engaged i'm n
IL is said that the great majority of
Africans brought to this country
came from the Guinea coast and ter
ritory adjacent thereto.
BE that as IL may, IL Is reasonable
10 suppose that as the bulk of the
people brought here were those can
tured In the various and constant
tribal wars and sold by their can
tors to the white slave ships which
We're always towering about the
coasts, that the supply was drawn
from every part of the continent
and that the present race In Ameri-
ca represent not only the warIike
Aoyssinians and Zulus but even A.
rabians. Egyptians. Tripolitans. AL
gerians and Moroccoans. OF course
these latter in greatly less degree
but they are there all the same.
Prof. j. G. Hazeley. a native Az
rican Negro who travelled I'm the IT.
nited States ia 1S7S-79 in the inter
est OF the American Colonization So
ciety told the writer that II was n
matter OF amusement and pastime
for him while walking through the
streets OF Richmond to pick out per
sons descended from the different
tribes of the African races.
o. M. STEWARD.