USA > Arkansas > The aftermath of the civil war, in Arkansas > Part 15
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"'And be it to the honor and credit of this par- ticular neighborhood that its society is of the best and most intelligent in the State.'
"Further on he said:
" 'Don't arrange to carry anything but clothing, bed- ding, and dishes. The articles named want to be packed in boxes not to weigh more than 250 pounds, so that it can be checked as baggage. The county is under Demo- cratic rule, and we want only straight Democratic men, who wish to become citizens and better their condition.'
"This circular is signed by R. A. Williams, General Agent, Atlanta, Georgia. It seems that the immigrants the best society desire are men whose earthly effects can be checked as baggage, and being Democrats, they need have no fear of being called carpet-baggers."
In my message to the Legislature, dated July 4, 1868, I expressed my views upon the question of immigration in the following language :1
"There is probably no question that will affect the future destinies of Arkansas so much as that of immi- gration.
"Providence has richly endowed our State with those elements of wealth that are necessary to constitute an independent and self-supporting community. Yet, in the midst of this great age of progress and improvement, our primeval forests, as of yore, rear their arms to Heaven and seem to defy the hand of man. Millions of broad acres, teeming with fatness, and fertile beyond
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description, patiently await the 'open sesame' that shall unlock and develop their varied stores. Limitless wealth buried under broad hills, concealed in secluded valleys, and hidden in mountain caves, awaits the glad advent of the pick and bar.
"Reflecting upon our great agricultural staple, we involuntarily pause to listen for the hum of machinery and the clank of the loom.
"After a patient waiting of half a century, the light of a higher civilization has burst upon Arkansas.
"The vast tide of immigration that, from across the waters, has been moving westward for so many years, peopling territories, building cities, and creating States with magical rapidity, only awaits our action to pour itself within the limits of our State.
"We should invite all classes to come here and we should greet every one with a cordial welcome. Capital should be protected, industry fostered, and over each in- dividual should be extended the strong and protecting arm of the law,-guaranteeing upon the soil of Arkansas equal rights to all men.
"I confidently expect that at an early period you will establish a liberal and vigorous bureau of immigration; and I earnestly recommend that you so define the duties of the commissioner, and clothe him with such powers in relation to his intercourse with the most populous parts of this and foreign countries, as shall enable him to cope successfully with the agents of other States, and to direct the capital and labor of the North to this more genial climate; and by a thorough diffusion of facts and sta- tistics so to determine the line of immigration from Europe to this State as will make us the recipients of those elements of wealth and prosperity, from which, by the old order of things, we were effectually debarred."
The fact that the Legislature took up and passed unanimously, on July 18, 1868, a bill ^ embodying my recommendations sufficiently shows that my views were
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not only a reflex of those of the Legislative Department, but of the Republican Party throughout the State.
In my message of November 24, 1868, which was afterward published in pamphlet form and given a wide circulation at home and abroad, I again expressed my views upon this subject as follows :3
"It is of vital importance to the growth and develop- ment of our State that every encouragement be given to the introduction of settlers from abroad; and this can only be accomplished by securing entire protection and perfect freedom of thought and action to all who may desire to come among us. Our past record of murders and outrages, and absence of law and order, is, it is true, bringing us a very considerable immigration from Texas, Louisiana, and other places, and it will continue to do so as long as these evils exist; but it is an influx of desper- adoes and outlaws, who are seeking an asylum here on account of their crimes, to find a locality congenial to their manner of life, and adapted to the furtherance of their designs in the future. It depends upon us whether we shall make our State the hiding-place and home of the assassin from other States, as well as from our own. The settlement of the question depends upon the restoration, all over the State, of law and order.
"Good citizens will not come here to seek homes for themselves and their families, where they are subject to all these perils, unless they surrender to others their manhood and freedom. They demand the right to think, speak, and vote in accordance with the dictates of their own judgment and wishes, 'none daring to molest them, or make them afraid.'
"Possessing a soil unsurpassed for productiveness, a delightful climate, and an immense amount of cheap land, together with very valuable mineral resources, we offer to the overcrowded cities and communities elsewhere suf- ficient inducement to bring among us an immense tide of population.
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"It needs only that the suicidal policy of the past be entirely laid aside; that all who desire to come be guar- anteed entire security and protection; that the spirit of lawlessness be overcome, and a spirit of acquiescence and obedience to the laws take its place, to bring into our State an amount of capital and a tide of population that will enable us to develop our resources and make rapid strides in the great march of progress and advancement.
"When we are true to ourselves and to one another, and to the great destiny that Heaven has spread out before us, then indeed will our prosperity be great and our advances rapid. Then will the abundant resources of our State be in full process of development. Then will all conditions of society, like sound members of a healthy system, be united in one strong organic body. Towns and villages will spring up, capital will come among us, property will increase in value, our agricul- tural productions will be multiplied, and we ourselves, throwing aside every weight, be successful competitors in the great race of civilization and improvement.
"In my convictions of right and duty, I trust I am, with you, firmly grounded in that truly republican faith that recognizes the claims of loyalty, liberty, and hu- manity. The nationality that is symbolized by one flag. one people, and one Government; the liberty that sinks alike all questions of race and creed; the humanity that protects the rights of the humblest in the land forms the basis of a creed that no temporary change of public opinion can ever shake. Planted upon that basis, our State will be truly reconstructed, and its upward and onward career will be assured alike by the wisdom of man and the favor of God."
The issue being squarely joined, both parties went vigorously to work to establish their particular views. The opponents of the State Government plan confined their efforts principally to the bringing into the State of Chinese immigrants, in fact Chinese laborers.
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A Chinese Immigration Convention assembled at Memphis, Tenn., on July 13, 1869, with a large repre- sentation, principally planters from Tennessee and Ar- kansas, at which Convention ways and means were pro- vided for the success of their purposes. Conventions were also held in Arkansas, and the efforts of the planters were especially exerted for the substitution of Chinese immigrants, as they were called, for negro labor.
I give the following extract as to the Memphis Con- vention :4
"July 13, 1869. Memphis, July 12. Hotels are rapidly filling up with delegates to the Chinese Labor Convention to-morrow. Koopmanshop, the importer, telegraphs that he will be here to-morrow. Planters from various parts of the southwest are here in strong force."
These efforts resulted in introducing into the State, especially in the cotton planting region, a considerable number of Chinese, brought, in most cases, in groups by agents. I insert copies of all the documentary evidence I have that bears upon this aspect of the case, from the Gazette, as follows :
"June 8, 1870. The Pine Bluff Press [Democratic] of the 2d instant contains an interesting report from Capt. George Gift, agent of the Arkansas Valley Immi- gration Company, who has recently returned from the Celestial Empire with a cargo of Chinamen for that company .... The Chinese will soon be here, and Captain Gift says it remains for the planters to dissipate the ideas of ill treatment that prevail in China,-prove to them that they can earn wages, receive reasonable treatment, -and they will flock to us by the thousands. It required several years to start them toward California. Twenty- five thousand go there now annually at their own cost."
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"August 13, 1870. A Chinaman has the same right to be born in the world as any other child of Adam. Having a right to live, he has a right to earn his live- lihood wherever he can best find work and wages. Know- ing that of all countries on earth America offers the great- est advantages to working men, he has a right to come hither and take his chances with the rest. Being here, he has the right to be treated with the same justice and generosity as we show to other men. And that is the sum and substance of the Chinese question."
The efforts to utilize Chinese labor proved a dis- astrous failure. Planters soon learned that after all the negroes, as laborers in the cotton fields, were better in all respects than the men of any other race, and in a little while the Chinamen sagaciously learned the pur- poses for which they were introduced. I do not know of a single plantation that is now worked in whole or in part by Chinese labor.
On the other hand, the following extracts from the Gazette, copied from various newspapers in the State, conclusively show the success of the plan of the Adminis- tration :
From the Gazette, August 3, 1869: "Benton County received last week an accession to its population of some three or four hundred German immigrants. This thrifty class of people is beginning to rush into the State at all points, hundreds having already settled, and more con- stantly coming into the counties east of us and border- ing on the Missouri line."
From the Gazette, October 27, 1869: "There are a great many immigrants passing through our town bound for this State and Texas. As a class they are very intelligent, hardy-looking people, have good teams, and will contribute to the development of the country in which they may settle. We are glad to learn that some
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are stopping in Washington County, the garden spot of Arkansas."
From the Gazette, quoting from the Pine Bluff Re- publican, November 18, 1869: "Immigrants by hun- dreds are daily passing through Pine Bluff. From pres- ent appearances Arkansas will receive no less than an addition of 10,000 souls to her population this winter and the coming spring. The people in the old states are beginning to find out the vast advantages offered by our State, and are flocking to us by the hundred."
From the DeValls Bluff Journal, December 1, 1869 :5 "More than one hundred families of immigrants have settled in this County (Prairie) within the last month. Every house in town is crowded, and still they come. We have room for more."
From the Gazette, December 19, 1869: "A friend writing from Clarksville, under date of the 13th instant, says: 'You would be astonished to see the immense immigration pouring into the Arkansas Valley, and they all seem to be of the right sort,-the hardy sons of toil, who come to work and make a living and build up the fortunes of the State. The speech of Governor Clayton [my message to the legislature of November 24, 1868] has done more to give encouragement to immigration, and to assure protection to settlers and en- courage their coming among us, than all the immigra- tion agents he could appoint. Before that speech people were not disposed to risk their all, life, liberty, and prop- erty, in a state governed by a mass of ignorant, unprin- cipled, and savage militia.' "
From the Gazette, December 21, 1869,-extract from the Republican: "Almost every boat that comes into the Arkansas River is crowded with people seeking homes in this State. This is really cheering and propi- tious for the future prosperity of Arkansas, and it is not very difficult to see what the future has in store for her."
From the Gazette, December 25, 1869: "A large
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immigration is taking place to Montgomery, and as a consequence, Mount Ida, Harold, and Centreville are all receiving increased prosperity."
From the Gazette, December 25, 1869: "A corre- spondent from Danville, under date of December 20: 'Immigration is pouring into our county [Yell] rapidly. Georgia seems all at once to have emptied all her surplus population into this part of Arkansas, and the result is we are about overrun with immigrants. Every hut and cabin in the whole county is full to overflowing. There are numbers of families who cannot find homes, and the cry is 'still they come.' "
From the Gazette, December 28, 1869-extract from the Times: "Arrangements are being completed for the consummation of the land purchase at Spadra. It is promised that over 400 German families will settle there in the spring."
From the Gazette, December 28, 1869: "The in- crease of population in Arkansas is becoming immense. The steamers, seven, making almost daily trips to Mem- phis, belonging to the Memphis and Arkansas River Packet Company, are thronged during every trip, be- sides the influx by the other capacious and numerous boats plying in the White and Arkansas Rivers. The Cald- well's receipts last trip from Memphis from passenger fare alone were three thousand dollars. While we most cheerfully welcome immigrants to our State from any of the States in the Union, 'without regard to color, race, or previous condition,' it is pleasant to know that the majority of these now coming to make homes in Arkansas are southerners, frugal and industrious citizens from the Carolinas, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama. Much is conceded to the enterprise of the people of states farther north; but for true economy and the substantial develop- ments of the material interests of any agricultural coun- try, there is no better citizen in the world. We do not say that western farmers from farther north are not as good as they are, but we feel safe in saying they are
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no better. Our prospects are brightening, materially, socially and politically."
The immigrants referred to in this article, although from the Southern States, came principally from the mountain regions and were mostly farmers seeking cheap lands as a wise precaution for the rapid increase of their families. Nearly all were Republicans, and not of the old slaveholding régime.
From the Gazette, January 4, 1870: "It is gratify- ing to witness the great influx of strangers to this county [Independence ], many of whom are purchasing land and locating. During the past two months more strangers have located here than at any time embracing the same period in the history of the county."
From the Gazette, January 12, 1870: "The Clarion [independent paper], in an article upon the immense immigration which has spread over our State during the past autumn, and which still continues, concludes its article as follows :
" 'One great thing with persons seeking new homes is as to the quiet of the State and the security of person and property. In all respects we think Arkansas will compare with any other State in the Union. We still have a few wild, reckless men among us, but they are rapidly dying off. Their very recklessness and dissipa- tion are killing them, and we think we risk but very little when we say that Arkansas is as free of that class of men as any State in the United States.'"
From the Gazette, January 19, 1870,-extract from the Augusta Sentinel [ Democratic]: "Dr. H. K. Steven, who for several months past has been in Tennessee. en- gaged in promoting immigration and assisting in bring- ing settlers to our county [Woodruff ], returned Monday last bringing about 150 immigrants with him, who are finding homes upon the rich unoccupied lands of our county. The doctor has been engaged in a good work,
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and we are glad to note this evidence of his success. We are credibly informed that not less than three hundred persons have settled in our county during the present fall and winter, and more are coming. Lands are steadily increasing, and those who would avail themselves of the present low prices must purchase soon, as the present year will witness an influx of settlers unprecedented in the former history of our State."
From the Gazette, January 27, 1870: "As will have been observed from the many extracts we have published from our State papers, from time to time, an immense immigration has been settling into our State, which still continues."
From the Gazette, May .14, 1870: "The Coming Splendor of Our Prosperity-We have often adverted to the rapidity with which the population and wealth of this State were augmented. In fact its growth in every element of greatness is infinitely more rapid than is apparent to any casual observer of the course of events. Through the past fall and winter and spring, vast num- bers of immigrants from the older States have sought homes along our rivers, and many more are attracted hither by the mere fact that Arkansas is deemed the most prosperous of southern States."
Believing that I can safely rely upon the intelligence of my reader to differentiate between the two policies I have outlined, I will content myself with some gen- eral remarks. The anti-reconstructionists had one prin- cipal object in view-the re-possession of the State Gov- ernment and all its privileges and emoluments. There- fore, they looked with disfavor on any plan that would bring to the State an influx of Northern and foreign immi- gration. The condition throughout the South being simi- lar to their own, they could not expect any considerable immigration from that quarter; hence, what they called their immigration policy was in reality but a labor ques-
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tion, whereby, regardless of the consequences, they advo- cated a policy that would not only add to the perplexities of the race question, but also to the incongruity of the citizenship of the State generally, and would continue the old policy of neglecting all other interests save that of agriculture.
On the other hand, the immigration policy of the State Government was that which filled up and rapidly brought to conditions of statehood the unoccupied regions of our mountain States, where every immigrant was wel- comed on terms of equality.
FOOTNOTES FOR CHAPTER IX
1 Arkansas House Journal, 1868, pp. 293-294.
2 Arkansas Laws, 1868, pp. 124-126.
3 Arkansas House Journal, 1868-69, pp. 26-28.
4 Published in Daily Gazette, July 13, 1869.
5 Republished in Daily Gazette, December 7, 1869.
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CHAPTER X
EDUCATION
Having described the closing of the Ku Klux Dens, a description of how the schoolhouse doors were opened becomes now a more pleasing subject. The opening of these doors was the task that lay nearer my heart than any other of my official duties.
The United States Census of 1860 shows that the entire number of slaveholders in the State at that time was 11,481, or about 372 per cent of the white popu- lation. As incredible as it may appear, this small per- centage of citizens dominated the politics of the State throughout its whole history. This evidently grew out of the following facts :
The slaveholders were the possessors of the wealth, educational facilities, and the governmental machinery. A community of interests in their slaveholding assets created a bond of union that made organization unneces- sary. This policy was readily supported by the classes dependent upon the slaveholders, such as overseers, doc- tors, lawyers, merchants, and others.
On the other hand, the non-slaveholders, constituting the great mass of the white population of the State, were without educational facilities. Scattered at considerable intervals and being without money, organization, or lead- ership, they were confronted by irresistibly repressive in- fluences and they chose rather to "bow their heads to the yoke" than to engage in a strife that would have been absolutely futile.
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To prevent any bond of sympathy between the slaves and the illiterate non-slaveholding classes, the former were taught to look down upon the latter with contempt and to characterize them as "poor white trash." This in turn caused this class of whites to become negro haters.
Upon the admission of the State into the Union, and at various other times, the General Government had been most liberal in its donations in aid of free schools. The following description of these donations is based upon the report of Woodville E. Thompson, State Superintendent of Schools, dated October, 1890:
By act of Congress, March 2, 1827, seventy-two sec- tions of land were donated for the establishment of a Seminary of Learning. The provisions of the act of Congress, June 23, 1836, resulted in confirming to the General Assembly of the State of Arkansas the title to the 16th section of every township, and the seventy-two sections of land known as the "Seminary Land" above referred to.
July 29, 1846, Congress assented to the adding to the 16th section lands the Seminary Lands for the pur- pose of establishing a system of free schools. The rev- enues derived from such donations were squandered by ignorant county superintendents and other local officials.
To show the utter failure of the old political régime to establish free schools in the State after its admission to the Union, I quote as follows from the message of Gov. Henry M. Rector to the General Assembly, No- vember 15, 1860:1
The common school system also seems to be radically defective. In the last report made by the Sec- rectary of State, as State Commissioner of common schools, it may be seen that there are only twenty-five common schools organized and kept up in the whole
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State, from the common school fund. This is a sad commentary upon the present system.
"Under existing laws, it is made the duty of the common school commissioners of the different counties (fifty-five in number) to make out and transmit to the Secretary of State, annually, a report showing the con- dition of the common schools and school funds in their counties, respectively. It is lamentably true, however, that out of this number only three of them have reported at all for the present year; two of which reports are totally devoid of the required information.
"The general law provides for three trustees and one treasurer in each congressional township. Each county, containing thirty-five townships, would have, in- cluding the commission, one hundred and forty-one offi- cers. Multiply this by the number of counties and vou have in the State seven thousand seven hundred and fifty- five men to perform what ten would do better."
It was these last remarks of Governor Rector's that suggested to me the Circuit Superintendent system, which placed the work throughout the State in the hands of competent officers who were qualified to put it in prac- tical operation, instruct minor officers in their duty, and inculcate in the minds of parents and guardians the great advantages that would accrue to their children by placing within their reach the means of acquiring a good free school education.
The Census Report of 1860, under the head of what it termed "Public Schools," is misleading. While there may have been seven hundred and thirty-two schools. they were not free schools but were common schools, which under the law then existing were maintained by sub- scription, aided by a distribution, or misappropriation, of the free school funds.
The hostility of the slaveholders, and the indifference
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of the other classes, to any system of free schools, Super- intendent Thompson, heretofore referred to, described in the following language :2
The free schools were looked upon by our citizens generally as pauper establishments, not to be patronized by the better class; and the prejudice per- meated all grades of society."
From 1860 until the close of the Civil War schools of all descriptions ceased to exist in the Confederate States, and among the many evils brought on by that war perhaps not the least baneful was the increased ignorance and its attendant pernicious influences. After the Democrats got control of the "Murphy Government" in 1866, an effort was made to reestablish the old system of common schools, in which no provision was made for the education of the lately enfranchised negro.
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