THE NEGRO, ON THE STATUS AND EXODUS OF THE NEGRO.
It is significant that the leading article in the current number of the South Atlantic, the élite literary magazine of the South, is by a colored man. His topic is, “The Status of the Negro, and the Exodus.” It is able and fair in its treatment of the subject. The editor disclaims responsibility for its statements, and slightly apologizes for its publication; would have been glad, had it not seemed unfair to the writer, to modify a few paragraphs; but has given a negro full leave to tell his white readers just what he thinks of negro status and exodus. This fact is one which should not be forgotten.
On the other hand, it would be well for us to hear just what an intelligent negro has to say on this topic. The writer, Rev. D. J. Sanders, indicates the difficulties in the way of his people’s progress; obstacles thrown in the way both by his friends and his enemies; asserts that because of what he is, the negro has made commendable progress in spite of these hindrances, aided by missionary preachers and teachers who paid but little attention to, and took no part in, the political events which were transpiring about them. Evidently, in his estimation, the improved condition of his people has not been due to political action, but to schools and moral influences.
He asserts that the Exodus has not been brought about by political causes, though a certain class of politicians have done something to spread the movement; nor is it due to the fact that educational or religious privileges have been withheld, for, strictly, it cannot be asserted that such has been the case. Persons who were pronounced in their opposition to negro schools are, when this movement begins, laboring side by side with those who have devoted themselves to negro education. Whatever of politics, or education, or religion may enter into the movement is merely incidental.
Political abuse there has been, but the Exodus movement began after this had for the most part ceased, and has raged most where this abuse has been least known, as near the home of the writer, in North Carolina.
There have been, and are now in some States, unjust laws regulating labor and wages. The script system, which permits the employer to pay the laborer in script redeemable at his store, has been known, and is ruinously unjust to the laborer, but in the two States where this movement has been greatest, regulative legislation has been in the one exactly the reverse of what it is in the other. In Mississippi the landlord must fulfil his engagements before he can force his tenant to quit. In North Carolina the tenant must fulfil his before he can leave.
Fundamentally, it is the impoverished condition of the people, conjoined with restlessness, and supplemented by idle curiosity, making change easy and desirable, which has exposed these poor people to the designs of unscrupulous sharpers and demagogues. They have inherited poverty, ignorance, improvidence, to say nothing of positive vices. They have been hindered by positive efforts to keep them down. They have been discouraged by the fact that success would give them no social or political advantage, and so they have either refused to labor, or have squandered in pic-nics and cake-walks, for tobacco and whiskey, it is estimated, about eighty millions of dollars annually.
There have been, so far, about 28,000 of these exodusters who have paid an average of about $16.65 to the railroad companies for transportation. Out of this the companies have paid to the unscrupulous agents who promote the movement, one dollar for full, and fifty cents for half fares.
The roads have received about $500,000 from these people, and hope for at least half as much more from a return movement. The emigrants have received in charity about seven cents each, as an offset to the $16.65 which they have paid for transportation alone. We know not what report the Senate Exodus Committee will make, but are confident that it will come no nearer the truth in regard to this movement than has the writer of this article. So long as the negro is thus ignorant he will be helpless against the oppressor, whether he be the old master or the pretended new friend. When we know the possibilities yet undeveloped in the negro, and give full scope to them, we shall know also what an element of wealth and strength here is in what is now known as an incubus on prosperity and a menace to our national life.