New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-04-11
Letters e the People-No. 2.


The more we examine this subject Of trades
exclusion, and others cognate thereto, the
more intensely painful does the investiga-
ton become. A few, so few, favor the col
ored mechanic--fewer instruct the colored
YOUTH
The history of our race is replete with
efforts of workmen to become masters and
contractors, but philanthropists boldly say
"aot one cent? through your hands, to make
opportunities for colored boys; "we would
rather have white aristocracy." AS if aris-
tocracy has anything to do with it. No, it
is q determination 10 keep our people IN the
background by associate effort, the key to
comprehensive and effective business success
among others. :.
The manly and dignified demand of one of
the Douglass Brothers for trades recognition,
and the fierce, defiant, and powerful opposi-
ton through him to his race, all know.
When, however, a pitiful job is doled to a
negro, he is very ungrateful not to PROSTATE
himself in the dust and thank some one for
permission to earn his daily bread SO that
it comes to this that right to life is not in
herent, but is by grace of, it may be, an
enemy. / think that those who so loudly
proclaim perfect freedom call out triumph
antly before being out Of the difficulty.
The lessons of slavery are not so readily
unleamed by white Americans, and the serfs
of European despotisms take to them like the
Commodore's small-pox-in the natural way;
but the depravity involved is amazing. To
keep under foot a class, and that class, as is
the colored Americans, largely allied through
ties of blood relationship, shows a mean, un-
certain, and cruel spirit. None but those Of
Saxon and Celtic combination, with iron eye
and steel-cold heart have ever entered upon
a task so clearly the greatest ofoutrages upon
nature. A South African Hottentot, or
Dahoman cannibal never slaughters his own !;
but in America is the theatre, and here are
the people who have traded in their own
children, and, as if not enough, have, by a
subtlety of iniquity almost incredible, arrayed
his own kindred; then complacently, but in
manner so deprecating, wonder that "your
people are so divided" "YOu do not sup
port one another.' When should you insist
upon the right to take initial steps in that
direction, 'friends" often combine and pro-
nomce against your assurance" more loudly
and effectually than known enemies. 1 re-
call the history of colored mechanic of this
city, and shall here let this branch of the case
rest for the present.
A colored craftsman, admitted by slave
holders to be one of the best cabinet-makcrs
in the District having been sold, (and at an
unusually high price, took the Underground
Railroad and went to Canada. There he
earned for successive years the first prize at
exhibitions for his white employer. Since his
return to the land of his birth he has received
but little employment from white /" friends"
or colored "brethren )" the former having a
Dutch friend or cousin in Massachusetts, a
Connecticut uncle, or family of relations to
provide for; the latter, afraid of loss to
"bread and cheese" don't like to risk it.
Mr.. White, or Green, or Gray, who gave a
pair of boots, or a good-as-new old hat might
get angry, or he don't know whether col
Ored man can do as well as white one any
how. This man, whom foreign ministers,
cabinet officers, Senators, (men usually su-
perior to SO much worldly wisdom,) do
patronize, went, armed with proper vouchers
from men in high position to tender for a
position in which instruction for eolored boys,
managing economically the details of bust
ness to pay and be profitable, were included.
Upon comparison of details, &c., so much
was found to be mobjectionable now to the
test of skill.
When white men are upon trial, speci.
men of best work upon best material is de.
manded. When a colored one, you must de-
the best upon inferior stuffs. He was told t.
furnish a set, such as is used in humble homes
strong, durable, but of his best workmanship
and give Herewith, statement of how mucl
the actual cost of the raw material the Sc
to be for exhibition, or as sample: all o
which was done and upon inspection, was de
cided to be all that could be desired. Well
of course he got a contract! Not at all: h.
did not even get one cent for the time ant
labor taken to make them. The goods wer'
not pat on exhibition, but went to privat,
nome. mtc men, one ankec, one Ter
man got the business, the negro got the pric
of lumber, nails, varnish, etc., nothing more
The browning point was that an abolitionis
and a Christian developed this ingenious, bu
losing piece of kindness.
The mechanic works away, yet singh
handed, for notable ministers and Secreta
ries, but fails to understand why he shout
not only not aspire to management over evel
colored youth, made to pay white men, bu
should lose his labor beside.
Extremes are said to meet, and this perfec
parallel to the slayeholding practice of takin
acolored man and his time to the use of whites
suggests the query whether different prime
pies like opposite policies, move in (rings) eli
cles? These cases, when traced to their ult
mate, show that whatever may have been
the name " friend" is fast losing its signif
canoe, and that we, who have always bee
the victims of policy, must in turn, and in tn
spirit of this era, make policy.
Demand that a portion of patronage com
to your shops, from both white men and col
ored, else withdraw your patronage from tn
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