Negro Race Dying Out Here

New York Sun: October 10, 1898

"Africa is the negroes fatherland, and the sooner he goes there the better for him. Statistics show that the negro race is dying out, and it certainly is not growing healthier, wealthier, happier, wiser, or anything else which goes to make life worth living. Africa proffers the greatest possibilities on earth for the negro to emigrate to, that is, if he has any idea of being anything this side of the day of general account giving. Even nature is evoking the negro to return to his God-given home. The trade winds which once blew from three to four hundred miles out at sea from the west coast of Africa have mysteriously changed their course, and are now fanning the shores, moderating the equatorial climate, diminishing the heat and humidity and driven away the death dealing fevers and malaria. I believe this is the work of God preparing Africa for the reception of her children, who are suffering in this country and who must return sooner or later. If I had 5,000,000 I would invest every cent in ships and would see that every negro who wish to go to Africa got there. I believe I am needed here, but any moment I can get fifty or one hundred thousand negroes to go with me I am off like a quarter horse, and I will think it the best day’s work I ever accomplished."


Q: “Has the African emigration movement met with the approval of a majority of the race?”


"No, indeed: but, on the contrary, a lot of ignorant negroes have opposed it from its very inception. The prate about the sickness of Africa and many other things of which they are in dense ignorance. The thoughtful and intelligent of the white race indorse the emigration policy, and it will yet prove a success and of untold blessing to the negro race."

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