A vast convict farm is under cultivation by colored convicts at Coalsburg. To see men and women tied together and working under “Bull whips” was a delightful scene to the white passengers, both men and women. The farm is about 60 yards from the depot.
All sorts and conditions of humanity can be seen. Strange it may seem to true man and womanhood, the fact remains that the brutalized state of the colored men and women is the pride of the Southern white element. The passengers stand with pleasure viewing the convicts as they are lashed and forced to do excessive work. A man who had been on the farm two years, charged with stealing a pair of boots, attempts to escape, when four white men on mules and a train of hounds pursue him. An old ex-slave holder, standing in an attitude to take fine view of the proceedings, smilingly said: “That looks like old times.” Convicts are treated more cruel than the slaves were during American slavery.
In fact the convict lease system is a method of revenge. There are some ex-slave holders who think that the “nigger” should be “paid” for fighting against the South for freedom, and now making it felt and known that they are a main factor in the common wealth. The convict farms have grown numerous in the Southern States as a means of binding the Negro down to white masters. Ned Richardson may justly bear the blame of causing more immorality and disgrace upon the colored race in his dominion than the slave trade in Africa to-day. The convict lease system is a satanic giant leading to degradation and ruin thousands of young men and women, whom, if they had privilege of a house of correction, would accomplish many good deeds for their country, and Christ, and the Church.
When Mr. D. L. Moody preached at Massey Music Hall, Wednesday, Oct. 13th, 1897, at 3 p.m., he elicited about 5,000 people. Before beginning his sermon he made some interesting statements concerning the great work which he had done in his efforts to supply the jails in the United States with reading matter to be put in the hands of the prisoners. Concluding, he asked his audience to contribute $500 to the same scheme in Canada. During his fervent and explicit remarks the lamentable thought of the Convict Lease system presented itself to me. Though recognizing the work done by the speaker in the United States as a source of spiritual help to the colored prisoners, as well as the white ones, I am convinced that such influential ambassadors of God as Mr. Moody and Mr. Jones could abate the intense evil in the promoters of working convicts, in a worse way than any farmer would dare to work his horses in the north and in many parts of the south.
At the close of Mr. Moody’s service I was profoundly touched with the idea of asking the evangelist to protest against southern heathenism. When the rush to shake hands with the speaker had ceased, I could not refrain from simply asking Mr. Moody to preach against the convict lease system when he returned south.
The Democratic party in the State of Alabama, during the State election in 1892, made the convict lease system a plank in their platform, declaring that the diabolical system would be annihilated if the party gained the election. A political course in the pursuit of destroying such an influence and extensive evil will not do the amount of durable good as will the true Christian principles thoroughly stamped in the hearts of the upholders of such an inhuman system. One political party may abolish it, and another reinstate it. It is necessary, therefore, that the way of convincing the heathen abroad be given to erroneous and barbaric tendencies everywhere. About nine-tenths of the convicts in the United States are colored. When I visited Fletz’s farm about 3 miles south of Winona, Miss., in 1891, there were no whites. The convicts are not only leased to work on farms, but to railway contractors and mining companies, etc. The States tolerating the convict lease system receive a revenue.
“Kidnapped” Rock Diggers.
Another incident noticeable on my journey to Durant, Nov. 1st, ’92, is the fact that in the mountainous regions lying on both sides of the Georgia Pacific Road, is rock suitable for railway bridges, etc. After receiving orders to leave Coalsburg, the conductor gave the ordinary notice, “All aboard.” I need not mention the various expressions of joy to be leaving a place of sorrow and woe. We had not gone more than 40 miles when a company of colored men, directed by a white man, boarded our train. The porter immediately gave the information that trouble was awaiting the colored company, of which they were not aware. Just about 35 miles down the road is a path leading out to a rock den, they will have to go about 18 miles back in the woods to find it, there they will be worked. Some of them will be worked to death without a cent of pay, said the porter. When they arrived at their destination, the ghostly “thicket” at once attracted my attention. Like dumb driven cattle, the men, with unbalanced luggage, over stepped the rugged mountain, some of whom will never return.
The Georgia Pacific Railroad is systematized strictly on Southern principles. Having roughly split bottom seats on the “colored car.” While at the Union Station in Birmingham, Ala., en route for Atlanta, Ga., we beheld such a pitiful condition of three colored ladies. Those who have not in any way come in contact with such a state of human life as seen in this car, can only marvel at our story, and question whether such moral character exists amid such a tremendous flow of offensiveness and pragmatical elements.