The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-05-26

Mn. LEWIS IL. DOUGLASS DEFINES His
sTATUs.-Mr. Lewis II. Douglass, the col
orcd printer at the Government printing
office, has addressed the following letter to
Mr.. d. w. Flynn, one of the delegates from
the Union here to the National Typographi-
cal Union;
WASHINGTON, May "a, 1850.
D. ". Flynn, esq;
DEAR SIR; Yours of to-day at hand. In
reply to your first question, care you twenty
one years Of agel" my reply is yes. To your
second, slave you served an apprenticeship
Of at least four ycarsl" my answer Is yes. To
your third, "lIave you ever worked In place
where Union exlstedl" my answer Is yes.
To the fourth question, az so, wherel" my
answer Is In the city Of Rochester, State OF
New York, and in the city Of Denver, Colo
RADIO Territory. Your nth question, "Why
did you not become q member OF the Union
or tnionsl" Is not so briefly answered as
were the questions preceding it. When re-
tired from the case in the city of Rochester,
had not attained my majority; one of the
requirements Of an applicant for membership
In that Union was that he should be twenty
one years Of age. This will account for my
not applying for membership there.
In the city Of Denver / made inquiry of
different members OF the typographical
Union as to whether could be admitted as
IL VI lutlT bOClGtNs was informed
that could not be admitted, because of my
being n colored nan. Not that there were
any rules Of the organization regularly
adopted making II so, but that the larger
portion Of the members of the Union were
nvcrse TO the admission of colored men, con-
scqucn'y II would not be possible to put me
through. My conversation was had with
some of the prominent members OF the
Union, who said they wished 1t could be
done, but the time had hardly come yet to
make the test. Tuey sought to console me
by reminding me that the people and nation
had made rapid strides In amelioratng the
condition Of "your (my) people," and coun-
scled me not to expect every thing ut once.
One member said he would like to present
my name to the Union, but for the odium
that would be cast upon him. When You
take Into consideration tho deep-scated
prejudice which has for generations been en-
tcrtaincd against men OF my race In this
country, driving them not only from all
places of learning and advancement, but
from all honorable employment, you will
readily comprehend the truth of the state.
ment above given.
IL was not difficult for me, with the expert
cnce OF my race before me, to sec that 1t was
useless TO attempt to press my claims before
the Denver Union to favorable issue, com.
posed, as | knew 1t TO be, largely of negro
hatcrs; and when the only man who seemed
really DESTROYS Of making test of the ques-
ton us to whether | could or would be adj
mltted dare not express II to any one but me.
In addition, will say that my application to
become member Of the Columbia Typo
graphical Union, No. 10l, is made In good
faith, because desire to work at my trade
at all times and in all places where It may be
profitable for me to do SO. And as the print
ers of this country have entered into combi-
nations for their highest interest, feel as
one of them, to become part and parcel of
whatever legitimate societies they may or
ganizc for the benefit of the craft.
have the honor to be, yours respectfully,
LEWIS ii. DOUGLASS,