Semi-weekly Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1871-1872, 1871-10-29
,,rrsrrp raoN FIRST PAGE.)

-, and political rights, we shall
-, class interests calling for the
',a;fed efforts OF persons of color.
~. moment these ends are secured,
=, motives for separate action will
Ease. and, in common with all other
IONS. we can take our places
forever the interest Of the govern
..nt industry or humanity may
.-ro;ut---recognizing only one
~ lizard of duty, interest or policy
for all citizens.
Va do not ask the government
~ people of the United States to
want US with peculiar favor, but
chat in the policy of the laws, our
;,,srsst may be grouped with those
40. receive the consideration of our
tDdl lCNN
,,o1satiye bodies, and that, in the
.ininistration of the laws, no invi-
4,cs distinctions be made to our
prejudice.
We affirm that the colored people
oft5e States represented by us have
=, desire to strike ont a line of
no,cy for their action involving in
..rssts not common to the whole
people
While we have, as body, con-
,ributed our labor in the past to
enhance the wealth ard promote
The welfare of the community, we
have as a class been deprived of one
# the chief benefits to be derived
rom industry, namely: the acquisi-
ton Of education and experience,
tbs return that civilization makes
hr the labor Of the individual. Our
want in this respect not only ex-
tends to general education and ex-
psrience, such as fits the man to
sdorn the society of his fellows,
but to thit special education and
experience required to enable us to
enter successfully the departments
Of a diversified industry.
We ask that your Representatives
in Congress may be instructed to
afford such aid in extending educa-
ton to the uneducated classes in
the States we represent as may be
consistent with the financial inter-
ests Of the nation. Although we
urge our unrequited labors in the
past as the ground of this appeal,
yet We do rot seek these benefits
for ourselves alone, but for the
white portion OF the laboring class
il our States, whose need is as great
IS ours.
IN order to secure the promotion
d orr industrial interest, you can
Ig-ler rs assistance. 1t is true we
tl's no demands 10 make of the
llonal Government in this res
pet; but it is in the power of the !
Etople OF the United States to aid !
Is materially. In order to advance
III knowledge and skill in the !
liustrial arts, it is necessary that
We should have the advantages of
The means employed in the country
st large for these purposes. That
IN preparing for industrial pursuits
end in putting our skillin operation,
We should come in contact with |
cheated and experienced workmon
snd be put in possession of the re-
suits Of their skill and knowledge. |
lithet'ades and workshops are shut
a-alnst us, we cannot reach that |
lont Of excellence to which we
desire to attain. We ask your aid
@l 'ylnpathy in placing US on the
hGas Iooting in reference to the
lIslit Of industry as that enjoyed
y other citizens. If after having
S'cess to the means of becoming
SAlliul wOrkmen, we fail to attain
That standing, we are col tent to take
iaAG among the industrial classes
o. the country according to the de-
gree Of our proficiency. Should We
T excluded from these benefits, q
sale OF things will arise, most pre-
!auclaI to the interest of the skilled
AO0T' namely: the existence of a
great body of workmen ready to
supply the market with poor work,
n cheap rates. While slavery ex-
"Fd' the Northern States were not
'4sc'ed by the low state of the !
r'uStrlal arts in the Southern
s 90, but labor being now free to
--4 lAe best market, it is, beyond :
fsssaon, the interest of the artificers ,
" Tie North To raise Tho cto,dor1