The broad ax., 1909-12-18
Emigration to
Africa UnMiSe.
D. Ensst Ign. kisedcm Minister to
Iberia. b Address at NsW YOrk
SIS ts EsGO 0sa Sumo tis
SisoSs Fer bistssce Hors
and ShOdN Rensh.
ByN.R DoDsoN.

Lgeeum IN New York DIT. Ernest Lyon,
American minister and resident eonsdl
general at Menrovia. Liberia. speaking
On emigration Of the American Negro
% Africa, said:
SIn reeard 70 the struggle which Il
now on between the two races two ques-
ions are suggested-Viz: Can the race
survive the struggle? II 1t cannot, Is
& wise for II 10 remalnI
These IN turn suggest q third, II
emigration. whitheF7
Can the race survive the struggle
for existence, In which are pitted
against II In the most formidable man
ner mind and matter, men and money,
laws and institutions. together with
every other device which the ingenuity
OF the other race can invent? answer
emphaticaIly yes. The 1ittest VIII sur
vfve. 1t Is impossible TO annihilate ten
millions Of people.
THE ancient Britons Cicero descrfb-
ed as being dull, stupid and at only for
slaves. No one would have thought
that from the latter race would come
the masters and conQuerors Of the
earth; that their literature would have
become the cream OF the human intel
lect and their language the most popu-
lar On the globe.
81 would rather be q Negro than
anything else and TO be where the
struggle Is the 6ercest. The hope Of
triumph through manly endeavors
should furnish inspiration to endure
hardships as a good soldier and citizen.
"Let US admit, however, by way OF
argument, that the Negro cannot sur
vtve. What then? Would you advise
him to remain In a land In which he
seems doomed 10 discrimination and
humiliation and perhaps to extinction,
a. the social scientist would express 1t?
answer this question In the afarma-
tive. 1 would advise him to remain
until he was thoroughly convinced that
he could better hts condition by going
70 some other country.
"What are the reasons advanced to
justify Negro emigration from the
United States? Two-the white mans
reason, general unaeceptAbility On &C
count Of race and color with this we
cannot deal in this paper; second, the
black mans reason, prejudice.
This is the most comprehensive
term that can be employed. An seem |
agreed that prejudice against race
and color, arising from q previous con-
dition OF servitude, Is the root Of the
0Vfl This Is the indictment and the |
only one that can be made against the |
people Of the United States. But do |
not think the situation WIN be helped |
any by declaring that the evil Is uni
Versal.
"What imputatiOn can be brought, 80
far as the country itself Is concerned.
against the territorial adequacy Of its
resources for the livelihood Of its cid |
Hens without any reference to race, color |
q Previous condition Of Bervttudef
'.What indictment can be- brought |
against the abundance Of opportuni-
ties In almost every sphere Of influence !
for the Development and progress Of
the Negroes. II the door OF oppor-
unity closes among TIE whites he can |
turn to more than 100000 OF his
oWn race whose needs are similar I'M
der the same favorable auspices
what imputation can be brought |
against the advantage for education |
Of every kind-classical, professional, |
technical, liberal and indusTial7 In |
no other country In the world do the |
same advantages exist for the poor.
@What Indictment can be brought |
AGAINST the spirit Of Christian benevo-
lence, which Is widespread, manifest |
ing itself IN q number Of schools and |
colleges, universities and seminaries. |
scattered al over the land, for the |
higher education Of the Negro?
sNow, / say with an candor II the |
Negro can better his condition IN % |
brief time by going somewhere else,
let him leave.
sWhere win you direct him to got
Africa. you say, but liberia N pertie-
ular.
sNo one who knows the condition in |
Africa would advise emigration TO any |
part Of that continent. I think the |
feeling q decidedly against the coming |
Of the American Negro. / am satisfied |
that the American Negro would ind.
n addition to the opposition which |
would come from the heads Of Euro
pean colonies and protectorates In
Africa, II he intended to live IN them.
a.eur1ous kind Of prejudice Of blacks
against blacks, which would annoy
him equally as much. II not mora. than
that IN the United States
Il shonld FEEL some deIieacy In Of
fsring Liberia 70 American Negroes.
IN view Of the fact that the highest
authorities in liberia have declared
that It 4 not ready Tor the return Of
ths exiles"