The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1917-07-24
THE EXODUS OF NEGROES.

TIE ENOOOC Vt lNEGE\OE-O.
Governor Dorsey has been almost univer
sally commended for the courage with which
he dealt, in his inaugural address before
the general assembly, with matter that il
of grave moment to Georgia and Other
Southern states We refer to the exodus Of
Southern negroes to states of the NORTH
and Middle West. The governor said:
81 shall discuss fully the question
arising in connection with this matter
at subsequent time, but l submit here
that application of these funds some
thing more for the agricultural and in
dustrial education of the negro should
be done 1t is a short-sghted policy and
one that will not ultimately rebound to
the glory of our commonwealth to deny
him reasonably just facilities for an
education We are doing something al
ready for his education along agrlcult-
ural and industrial lines, but at the ear
Hest opportunity and as soon as our
finances will permit something further
should be done. While within the last
twelve months $4,000 have left our
state, influenced by representations
that higher wages could be earned In
industrial centers of the North, still the
negro is and will ever remain a prob
lem with US, and in justice and in wis
dom we should equip him for the best
service of which he is capable"
There is an element of our population
that will not discern interest or appeal in
what the governor says. There are people
who have but scant conception of the rights
of the negro, his value as part of the body
polite. But this element is not representa-
tive. Most of our people cherish spirit Of
justice and appreciation, and are ready and
willing to say God-speed to the negro man
who tries to live right and command conf
dence and friendliness.
1t is unfortunate, though, that the rep
resentative element in the South, while
friendly and just in spirit to the negro, has
been too indifferent as to his condition, fail
ed to take proper recognition of some of
the untoward conditions and difficulties he
has had to encounter. We have heard in
dustrious, reputable, prOperty-owning ne
groes plead for protection against communi-
ty neglect and indifference-and with what
result? The same indifference is manifested
in the rural districts, though we must be-
lieve the situation is worse in the cities than
in the country. The negro in the country is,
as a rule, healthy, thanks to the fact that
he must live near to nature. In the cities
even when a property owner and taxpayer
he must, as a rule, live in an environment
devoid of sanitary safeguards and comforts.
Of public schools they are not what they
should be, and are a challenge to conscience
and sound judgment.
All of us know how difficult it IS for
negro to experience the benefits of munich
pal or community charity, no matter how
appealing his claim.
And the courts, as victim of the organ
lied, legalized system that has developed.
If he lacks money or influential white friends
his lot is hard. Let negro be charged with
or even suspected of foul crime. How
ready is Judge Lynch-sitting as judge and
jury and sheriff.
1t is these things that have led to the ex-
odus movement. 1t is on. AS many of our
readers know, negro men are leaving Geor-
gia daily, and thousands have already gone.
These negroes are guaranteed good wages
and treatment. They may be beguiled, they
may be going to worse condition. But they
do not so believe, and it is difficult to con-
vince them to the contrary.
Georgia does not want to lose these ne
groes. They are part and parcel of the eco
nomic wealth of the state. More than that
there is 'moral feature-what we owe to
the negro as a human being. He is a citi-
zen, even if he does not vote. He does not
seek social equality, does not want it. But
when he is drafted for military service even
as the white man, is expected if need be to
die for his country who can say he is not a
citizen, and entitled at least to justice?
This is matter of moment. 1t may be
graver as the movement goes on. We must
let the negro know that it is to his interest
to stay here We need him industrially and
economically.
An account printed elsewhere in this issue