Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-08-11
Back to Africa Movement.

One of the alleged leaders Of the Negro
race in this country urges the unrestricted
emigration of his people back TO Africa,
where, he declares, they might set up a
nation of their own and escape the in
dignities that he insists come to men and
women of color not only in this country,
but in every country where they attempt
to find place beside the whites. This
leaders address, before the Universal
Negro Improvement Association, has at
tracted more than usual attention at this
time and seems to have met with con-
siderable response from the Negroes them
selves. Reports from delegates to the
meeting, which was held IN New York
City. indicated that the English had
evidently settled on policy to exterini-
nate the blacks in Africa, as we in this
country. chad eliminated the Indian
The removal of the Negroes to Africa
has frequently been under consideration
by the colored men themselves, IN past
times, and so far as any record OF these
deliberations shows, the plan seems to
have never been advanced much beyond
the talking stage although some of the
race left this country for Africa few
years Sgo and provision made for the de-
parture of others. evidently fell through.
There is no denying the plain fact that
the Negro is not good settler, as an
emigrant he would possibly be a fiat
failure; he is home-loving in the sense that
he seems always bound by apparently
strong ties to the place of his birth or to
the community wherein he was reared
He does not like to change his spots nor to
be disturbed in his domestic arrangements.
and Judging the Negro from his character
istics. as we have observed him. we have
no thought that he would leave the United
States for any other country, nor part
company with the whites. Nowhere else
in the world would they find such oppor-
tunity for material advancement or Tor
mental development. Here he has all the
chance he can possibly utilize Here is
nation offering him unlimited opportuni-
ties to accumulate fortune as large as he
has the energy to make 1T. Here are
schools and all forms of uplitt
acceptance. He is already at place IN the
stage of development that would require
him more than half a century to again at
tain. unaided, in Africa or elsewhere.
The attitude of the Negro towards his |
real friends the whites. is largely re-
sponsible for the conditions which the |
leader in his New York City address |
found objectionable to his race. II is not |
that of gratitude, or even consideration, |
for what has been done for his better
ment. II isthe insistence that the Negroes |
are not getting the recognition that they |
insist is theirs by right that probably has |
brought them into their present condition |
Of dissatisfaction. They have indeed,
since the late war. shown such hostility in |
their intercourse with the whites that one
would think they regarded the latter as
foes rather than firm friends
Ii entirely depends on the Negroes /
themselves whether conditions here are TO I
be to their liking. The white people con-
sider them with kindly, helpful interest.
They are ready to extend TO them sub
stantia aid toward their advancement,
but their friendly overtures bring forth
demands that will not be met There Is no
necessity for them to go to Africa or move
rom where they live at this moment, for
lere the black man will find ample field
or the exercise of his talents or ability TO
work and to own hrs own home and be-
,ome a useful factor in the community
He must first, advance, however, in his
,wn self respect and come to a realization
# his own responsibilities in the commu-
lity. And first and last Of all, he must
ease selling his vote to any political party.
or a man who openly sells his privilege of
franchise can never hope to advance
himself or his race, nor to be regarded with
,ther than cheap contempt by the pur-
,haser.
This country needs the Negro; some
sections would find it almost impossible
o get along without his help in the field or
actory He is paid well for all his work
md this country is offering him such
.hances that he cannot find in Africa or
elsewhere alone.
As we have said, there is no serious
hought that he viii emigrate to Africa for
le will find all and far more here than ne
an obtain by a shift of habitation if he
yiH not let the desire for unattainable
hings blind him to the opportunities that