GROWTH OF NEGRO POPULATION IN THE SOUTH.
The negro most perversely and persistently refuses to do what has been prophesied of him, or to conform to the general rules enumerated as applicable to him.
The census reports for 1880 reveal the last and most striking phase of this, perversity, as may be seen in the following table taken from the New York Herald, comparing the colored population of the old slave States, except Texas, in 1870, with that of 1880:
| STATES. | 1870. | 1880. |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 475,510 | 600,141 |
| Arkansas | 122,169 | 210,622 |
| Delaware | 22,794 | 26,456 |
| Florida | 91,689 | 125,262 |
| Georgia | 545,142 | 724,654 |
| Kentucky | 222,210 | 271,462 |
| Louisiana | 364,210 | 483,898 |
| Maryland | 175,391 | 209,896 |
| Mississippi | 444,201 | 652,221 |
| Missouri | 118,071 | 145,046 |
| North Carolina | 391,650 | 531,316 |
| South Carolina | 415,814 | 604,325 |
| Tennessee | 322,331 | 402,991 |
| Virginia | 512,841 | 631,756 |
| West Virginia | 17,980 | 25,729 |
The increase in these States during this decade has been more than 33 per cent., and at the same rate will give us at the beginning of the next century more than ten millions of negroes in these States alone. During the same time, the per cent. of increase in the white population has been less than 28 per cent., which will give something over eighteen millions as their total white population in 1900.
It is manifest that the negro has come to stay, and must be taken into our calculations in all estimates for the future of our national life. He need not fade away before us despite heroic efforts to save him. He does not perish even under our discouraging frowns. He will not be suppressed by a somewhat rigorous repressive policy. He has withstood all this, and flourished under it, as did the Israelites under the discouragements of Egyptian legislation.
It is not for us humanely to consider, therefore, how we can make comfortable in their decline the lingering remnants of this perishing people. The more momentous question is how this vast and rapidly increasing mass of humanity is best to be fitted for the large part it is to play in our national life. It is not a question whether we shall have it with us or not, but whether we shall allow it to remain a festering, death-exhaling corruption, or whether it can be converted into a much needed element of strength. It could not be a matter of indifference to the most despotic government what is the condition of such a vast body of its citizens. Even when they were slaves, wholly under control of their masters, with no rights to claim and no duties to perform, their very presence as an ignorant and licentious mass of chattles gave great cause for anxiety to the intelligent lover of his country. But now they are citizens and voters, and whether exercising their rights as such or deprived of them, are equally, almost, a source of dangerous power which cannot but fill us with grave apprehensions, if we but think of it.
The census tables proclaim loudly that death nor destiny will mitigate this danger; is it not time for a wise statesmanship to undertake seriously the task of dissipating it by a good and ample system of education which will qualify the negro for the duties thrust upon him?