The forum. [volume] (Springfield, Ill.) 1904-192?, 1916-11-11
CRAVE PROBLEMS
CONFRONT SOUTH
Many Reasons Given For Great
Exodus Of LabOrerS.
NEED OF LAW enforcement


Situation by W. Scott chinn-Emi,
grafton of colored People to ths
North and West IL Approved.
Plaquemine, LATHE great exodus
of colored people from the south to
the north and west is evoking serious
comment In all sections. The follow.
ing by w. Scott Chinn of this place,
which appeared recently in the Plea.
yune, sums up the cause of this leave
taking of the colored people Of the
south In a nutshell. The situation is
serious, and 1t requires u right about
face action on the part of the south to
change the growing condition of unrest
which now pervades the ranks of the
working classes In its midst.
Mr.. Chinn says:
Your editorial of Sept. 10 entitled
Negro Emigration to the North Is
about the sanest and most logical view
Of the situation presented lately, and
it's high time for our good white
friends of the south to quit playing and
act rather than talk about what the
south stands for as relates to the Ne
gro.
"As far as climatic conditions, loca-
ton, etc, the south is the natural home
Of the Negro, but ! blush and hang
my head with shame when / think OF
other essential conditions-namely: So
cial welfare, where absolutely no pro-
lection is given to the women of my
race, and our young girls still remain
the prey of evil white and black men,
the Mann act not affecting them at all.
Internationally, 1t Is nil for In
many counties and parishes there is
not a public school for colored people,
and If so 1t is for few days or months
and often taught by those less prepar-
ed than their pupils, although in many
instances Negroes pay all kinds OF
taxes, even school taxes, which must
help to educate white children, while
their own grow up in ignorance.
Economic conditions need not be
mentioned, for the south has waxed
and grownsfat on the work of the col
ored laborer, for every cent paid him
has simply flown back into the white
mans pocket, whereas that paid other
nations has flown abroad, and to stay.
Inhuman treatment of the Negro sim
ply means the killing of the goose that
lays the golden eggs.
"Why should lynching continue for
a moment? White men both make and
execute the laws, thus putting us at
their complete mercy in every way, so
that legally any crime can be punished
within an hour after its eommittal.
1.-The utter disregard of these things
upon the part of the south Is RESPONSE
BILE for the migration, not the lure
of better homes and other things alone,
but longing for that peace and prlvi-
lege to rest contented and happy with
in the place called home.
The Negro loves the south and his
southern white friends, but am afraid
she only loves him as he serves her
selfish ends. Boast as we may, 1t still
appears as II the south harbors Ill will
toward us. for at every opportunity
narrowing tales are told of our faults
and shortcomings, real or imaginary,
while our worthy deeds seldom see the
light of day. There is too much living
In the past as relates to us-days of
reconstruction and Negro domination
when the white man is now In full
possession from start to finish. Why
not play fair and tell the truth?
Booker T. Washington, with all Of
his apparent Indifference, knew full
well that the south did not practice
the Golden Rule In its treatment OF
US, and on no proposed tour did he
ever sanction or agree to travel until
he had been assured that his presence
would meet the approval of the whites.
Whyf The answer is with you.
publish 1t far and near, as you well
point out, that unless the conditions
be improved In those sections where
they are dissatisfied the exodus will
continue, and'it win unless the white
Christian men and women OF our fair
southland rise aud with undaunted
faith in God, who leadeth Alright, come
| forth and correct these evils. The die
Is cast, and that formidable competi-
ton of which you speak will prove
the undoing of a land rich In many
possibilities and once again set back
the hour hand of time on the clock OF
| progress.
1.-THE Negro must be allowed to work
with and not merely for the white
man, to be at least kicked and treated
even worse than when a slave. It's
high noon, the clock has struck, and
the European war Is yet destined Ia
settle many other problems equally as
grave. A new program is on, and the
new south must keep pace with 1t OF
suffer. A grateful people thank you
for that noble editorial"