Exodus of the Negroes by Editor

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Apr 17, 1879

Exodus of the Negroes.

By Editor

WE have referred to the exodus of the negroes from the Southern States, and, from the accounts, expected that it would assume proportions which would give prominence among the events of the day. The planters or landowners in some of those States are becoming thoroughly alarmed for the result. There is a prospect that a large proportion of the land will not be planted this year. In some districts harsh means have been resorted to in order to prevent the wholesale emigration of farm hands, but still they go. They find some way to leave the country in which they find neither friendship nor profit.

Perhaps the most important consideration in this matter is, that there is likely to be so large diminution of the population of some of those States that it will reduce their representation in Congress, and thereby affect the destiny of our country. It has already been claimed that their representation ought to be reduced, even if the negroes do not leave, as they are so largely denied the right of a free ballot, that they are only nominally represented.

This exodus must necessarily be attended with great suffering; but they are used to privations, and they are firmly convinced that in no case can they fare worse than they are faring in their old homes in the South.

In connection with this, new and unexpected questions arise. The "Chinese problem" may find a strange solution here, or it may become more difficult of solution. Whatever may be the result, the Southern planters are looking to the Chinamen as the possible aid which they must find somewhere in this emergency. The immigration of intelligent laborers from the North has not been encouraged in the South. Their feelings and traditions are opposed to laborers who are to stand upon an equality with, what has been, "the ruling class." Had they encouraged Northern cultivators to settle in their midst, the condition of the blacks might have been ameliorated by the introduction of better systems of tillage. But then, everything would have depended on the treatment which the negroes received. Patient and enduring as they have been, these qualities have been strained to the utmost, and they are now willing to risk any uncertainty rather than to suffer longer the certainty which they have endured.

We find the Chronicle of April 14, an extract from a letter from Louisiana to a gentleman in San Francisco, with some interesting facts and remarks. It says:—

"A well known citizen of this city is in receipt of several letters from the South upon the exodus of the negroes. One of these communications, dated Madison Parish, Louisiana, March 29, says:—

'Yesterday a mass meeting of planters was held in this town, to take into consideration the best mode of replacing in some manner the colored labor that has recently left here for Kansas, Indiana, and Ohio. After some discussion it was deemed advisable to put ourselves in communication with the Chinese Six Companies of San Francisco, in order to ascertain if they could not supply our needs with an importation of coolie laborers. It was also decided requisite to request you, sir, to act as our authorized agent in the matter and give the above-named Companies a full description of the soil, the climate etc., of our section of the country, its resources, etc., as well as the qualifications necessary to the kind of work which will be required of the Chinese in the event of their coming here. About 1500 negroes have lately left these parts, and it will require 1000 Chinese to replace them. Any assistance you may be able to render us will be duly appreciated.'"

"Immediately upon the receipt of this letter the gentleman to whom it was addressed called upon the authorized agent of the Chinese Six Companies in this city, and in the course of a short consultation received the following information:—

'At present it is impossible to obtain the number of Chinese laborers you require for field work upon the plantations of Louisiana, for the following reasons: The Chinese Six Companies have not the requisite authority over their people, as they do not bring them here nor make contracts to let their labor to white men or corporations. The Chinese Six Companies are simply benevolent societies and nothing more. The high rates paid the Chinese for their labor in California, namely, from $20 to $40 per month, which the ruling prices for skilled labor, precludes the idea of emigration to the South. Cheap labor is also scarce here, and the only manner by which the Southern planters can obtain the class of laborers they desire is to get an agent to Hongkong and there hire and contract for a sufficient number of Chinese to justify them in chartering a ship direct from New Orleans. If the Chinamen thus hired are well and kindly treated they will quickly inform their friends here and in China of the fact, and advise them likewise to come on to the South. In Hongkong contracts can be made with the Chinese for a term of from three to five years at wages from $8 to $10 per month. Such contracts they will faithfully keep, if reciprocated in kind. This class of labor is entirely free, and many go and come with as much freedom and as far as any European emigrant to the United States. The Chinese are the best laborers in the shop, field, or house, they are kindly disposed toward their employers, sober and honest; but the demand for them by far exceeds the supply, as there is not one single idle Chinaman in the State of California.'"

"In an interview with a Chronicle reporter, the agent for the Southern planters stated that he has informed them of the result of his conference with the representatives of the Chinese Six Companies, and that he believes that the suggestion made relative to the sending to Hongkong and chartering a ship will very shortly be acted upon; and further, that the planters of Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia are becoming greatly alarmed at the rapid exodus of the negroes, saying that in many portions of these States no negroes can be had to plant crops for the coming year, and they are anxious to test the efficacy of the Chinese as auxiliaries in the cultivation of rice, sugar, tobacco, and cotton. In the probable event of their so doing, California will be enabled to rid herself of some thousands of her surplus coolie population. Heretofore, however, the colored hands have been deemed the only labor that could successfully plant, cultivate and pick cotton in the more than tropical climate of the South. One of the cardinal reasons why the negroes have become dissatisfied and are leaving their masters in large numbers is, that they have in very many instances been most unfairly dealt with."