The Journal of Negro History, Volume 4, 1919Various
History
The Journal of Negro History, Volume 4, 1919
Various
African Americans -- Periodicals
Back of all these things lies the distrust of Democracy which was
inspired during the days when the "Kuklux," the "White
Brotherhood," the Universal Empire, and the "Stonewall Guard"
spread terror and desolation over the State in order to wrest it
from Republicanism to Democracy. The memory of those dark days
and bloody deeds, the prejudice which still forbids white ladies
to teach colored schools, and denies "even-handed" justice in the
courts, and the usurpations which place the returning boards all
in the hands of Democrats, have inspired a feeling of discontent
which has found expression in the efforts of a few to leave the
State. These facts, taken in connection with the bonus of one
dollar per head offered by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Company (a Democratic corporation represented by a Democratic
agent) to leading colored men who would secure passengers for
their road, has led to the emigration of some seven or eight
hundred colored people from that State, and the only wonder is
that thousands instead of hundreds have not gone.
LOUISIANA AND MISSISSIPPI
The States of Louisiana and Mississippi have furnished the larger
portion of the migration to Kansas, and as the conditions which
caused the exodus are the same in both of these States, we may
speak of them together. No single act of wrong has inspired this
movement, but a long series of oppression, injustice, and
violence, extending over a period of fifteen years. These people
have been long-suffering and wonderfully patient, but the time
came when they could endure it no longer and they resolved to go.
We can convey no adequate idea of what they endured before
adopting this desperate resolve, but will mention a few facts
drawn from well authenticated history, from sworn public
documents, and from the evidence taken by the Exodus
Investigating Committee. Writing under date of January 10, 1875,
General P. H. Sheridan, then in command at New Orleans, says:
Since the year 1866 nearly thirty-five hundred persons, a great
majority of whom were colored men, have been killed and wounded
in this State. In 1868 the official records show that eighteen
hundred and eighty-five were killed and wounded. From 1868 to the
present time no official investigation has been made, and the
civil authorities in all but a few cases have been unable to
arrest, convict or punish the perpetrators. Consequently there
are no correct records to be consulted for information. There is
ample evidence, however, to show that more than twelve hundred
persons have been killed and wounded during this time on account
of their political sentiments. Frightful massacres have occurred
in the parishes of Bossier, Caddo, Catahoula, Saint Bernard,
Saint Landry, Grant, and Orleans.
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