The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1920-09-17
s. Africa For African" Not A
New Slogan For The Negro Race

own work OF perish. Of course fig
ures demonstrating vast and certain
profits were rolled out by the yard.
The primal emotions and crude am
bitions of simple hearers were stirred
by every device of persuasion and
oratory and all the tricks of voice
and gesture.
The plan began to take definite
shape in the latter part Of 1877. A
"ship" with which to start the
exodus was bought and paid for. 70
the inland negro there was no dif-
ference among things that would
float and carry him, and the jour
ney across the sea to the land of
equality, rest, happiness and wealth
seemed but a few days Of pleasure
and novelty. The purchase was an
old clipper built bark constructed
for the fruit trade between the
Azores and Boston, 412 tons. To
most of the stockholders this was a
tonnage almost inconceivable and the
announcement that the association
actually was in possession caused
wild rejoicing and triumph. AS no
negroes capable of navigating were
available, it was necessary to accept
white man for the captain, and the
two mates also had to be white, but
assurance was given that this defect
would be remed;ed. All others of the
crew were negroes or Filipinos-"Mi-
nilamer" as the deep water people
called them then.
When. it became known that the
exodus ship was actually in Charles
ton harbor and supposed to be ready
to sail, a frenzy Of fervor and faith
was aroused. Probably 5000 ne
groes Of all ages-the number never
was accurately obtained-swarnled
to Charleston to take passage on a
vessel permitted by law to carry 206.
Later it became known that many OF
the intending passengers had been
induced to take stock, or extra stock,
by private assurances that they
should be included in the first voy-
age. There was intense and piteous
confusion. Families who had sold
their little farms or few possessions
for anything they could get, follow
ing the example of the chosen people
by departing in haste, camped on
docks and wharves.
There they sat in silent groups day
after day, looking at their ship which
was to bear them to the almost
heavenly home, of which they had
been told. Many of them prayed con-
tinually that the lot might fall on
them to be on the passenger list, for
it was understood by that time that
all could not go Immediately. If they
had been white people, rioting and
attempts to lynch would have been
inevitable. As it was the illustration
of docility and credulity was remark
able. The few murmurs and pleas for
special consideration, for one cause
or another, were meek enough. Even
these were silenced when the lead
ers and some Of the preachers--who
probably believed all they were told
to say-went among The forlorn mul-
titude with many promises.
More ships were to be bought. The
Almighty was to assure marvel
.ously quick trip and all would be
ready for another contingent III six
weeks. Meanwhile, those to be left
behind were to find work as they
could and wait patiently. The prom
ises were accepted, the exhortations
obeyed.
Easter day of 1877 the bark's an
Choir was lifted and she started out,
every dock, wharf and point of view
black with negroes, cheering fran
tically and rolling out across the
water in wonderful volume of
sound Gospel and Easter hymns. Be-
fore the bar was crossed, however,
the government officials were COM
PEELED to a distressing duty. Prob
ably thousand persons were aboard,
all with tickets and stock cert!fi-
Gates, some with notes and due bills
showing that after having subscribed
freely to stock they had lent the as
socistion all their small boards of
cash. Hundreds were selected, al
most at random, put into rowboats
and sent ashore. Most of them were
laughing good naturedly at their own
i'll luck hoping to do better next
time, and evidently convinced that
an attempt to overcrowd passenger
ship to twice her proper. capacity on