THE AFRICAN IN THE UNITED STATES. 435 



consideration that the census for 1880 was made under a new and 

 improved law, and by enumerators who, as a body, were thoroughly 

 qualified, ought to be considered as settling the matter, and placing 

 the error at the door of the preceding census. It is to be observed, in 

 passing, that if the error, as practically it does, bears equally against 

 white and black alike, however the figures for the two races, taken ab- 

 solutely, may vary from the truth, yet are they still a proximate guide, 

 considered relatively, to the comparative rate of increase of the races. 



It is estimated that five per cent from the rate of gain for the 

 entire Southern blacks, as by census for 1880, is a fair allowance for 

 this error, making their real gain about thirty per cent. Yet, as an 

 obvious consideration points to the conclusion that the blacks will for 

 the future develop in the South under conditions more and more 

 favorable, it is not unreasonable to think that, in subsequent decades, 

 this five per cent will be regained. 



That consideration is the more complete adjustment of the black 

 man to his new surroundings. His comparative helplessness imme- 



