Bynum, Thomas - Putnam

The Testimony of the Refugees.  As an answer to the falsehoods that are being so industriously circulated in Democratic newspapers regarding the condition of the colored immigrant who have recently arrived here from North Carolina, we have interviewed a number who have called at this office during the past week and give the results below.  It will be seen that they all speak in the very highest terms of praise of Indiana and their treatment since coming here.  

I lived in Wilson County NC. I have a wife and eight children.  It cost me $123 to get here.  I never heard anything about politics until I got to Indianapolis. Then I was asked by a Democrat if some Republican did not go South and make fine promises to me and did they not bring me here to vote?  I told him, no, that I brought myself.  I came on my own money and that I came because I could not get any pay for my work, nor could I educate my children there. And now that I have seen the difference between the North and South,  I would not go back to North Carolina for anything and I never expect to go back in life nor after death, except the buzzards carry me back.  Mr. Turnball of Toisenot, NC. A white Democrat told me that I was coming out here to perish but so far from perishing I am faring better than I ever fared before in my life. I wish to say that cases like the following is what brought about the exodus: a colored man rented a farm for which he was to pay three bales of cotton, weighing 450 pounds each.  He raised on that farm 11 bales of cotton each weighing 450 pounds each and 25 barrels of corn, which left to the tenant 8 bales of cotton and 25 bales of corn, peas etc.  The tenant bought nothing except a small amount of very coarse food and clothing, using all economy during the crop season to make no large account, thinking thereby to have something coming to him at settling day; but when settling day came the landlord had so enlarged his account as to cover everything the 8 bales of cotton, the 25 barrels of corn, peas and all and then said that the tenant lacked a little of paying out, although cotton sold at 10 cents per pound. This and numerous other things is the cause of the exodus. - kbz