The Journal of Negro History, Volume 4, 1919Various
History
The Journal of Negro History, Volume 4, 1919
Various
African Americans -- Periodicals
There is but one remedy for the exodus--fair treatment of the
Negro. If the better class of white men in the South would retain
the colored labor, they must recognize his manhood and his
citizenship, and restrain the vicious and lawless elements in
their midst. If Northern Democrats would check the threatened
inundation of black labor into their States, they must recognize
the facts which have produced the exodus and unite with us in
removing its causes.
We present in conclusion the following brief summary of the
results of the investigation:
First: This movement was not instigated, aided or encouraged by
Republican leaders at the North. The only aid they have ever
given was purely as a matter of charity, to relieve the distress
of the destitute and suffering emigrants who had already come to
the North.
Second. Not one dollar has ever been contributed by anybody at
the North to bring these people from their homes. On the
contrary, the only contributions shown to have been made for such
purpose were made by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company, a
Democratic corporation which employed agents to work up the
emigration from North Carolina, paying $1 per head therefor.
Third. It is _not_ proven that the emigrants are dissatisfied in
their new homes and wish to return to the South. On the contrary,
a standing offer to pay their expenses back to the South has not
induced more than about three hundred out of thirty thousand to
return.
Fourth. It is _not_ proven that there is no demand for their
labor at the North, for nearly all those who have come have found
employment, and even in Indiana hundreds of applications for them
were presented to the committee.
Fifth. It is _not_ proven that there is any sufficient reason for
the grave political apprehensions entertained in some quarters,
for it was shown by Mr. Dukehart, who sold all the tickets to
those who came from North Carolina, that not more than _two
hundred voters had gone to Indiana_.
Sixth. The exodus movement originated entirely with the colored
people themselves, who for many years have been organizing for
the purpose of finding relief in that way, and the colored agents
of such organizations have traveled all over the South consulting
with their race on this subject.
Seventh. A long series of political persecutions, whippings,
maimings and murders committed by Democrats and in the interest
of the Democratic party, extending over a period of fifteen
years, has finally driven the Negro to despair, and compelled him
to seek peace and safety by flight.
Eighth. In some States a system of convict hiring is authorized
by law, which reinstates the chain-gang, the overseer, and the
bloodhound substantially as in the days of slavery.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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