New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-04-11
True 10 the Flag.
The Coiored Labor Unions Repudiat- Judge
David Davis, of IiIinois.

4
David Davis, of IiItnois.
| HEADouARrE OF THE NATIONAL LABOR
UNION OF CoLoRED Men,
WASHINGTON, ID. C., April |, 1872.
To the President and Members Of tie Colored
State Labor Unions ofths United States:
In reply to the several communications adj
dressed TO us in relation to giving support to
the Labor Reform party, we take the occasion
to say that it is well understood by you that
the Golored National Labor Union is not a
political organization. The object for which
it is organized, is to develop the intellectual
and improve the material condition of its
members. No political test is applied as a
quail; fcaton to membership, yet we feel
morally bound to give our support to that
party whose principles and legislation con-
form to the interest of American labor.
The Labor Reform party has no connec-
tons whatever with our organization. 1t is
not II national organization, nor, indeed, can
it be. If, bv the organization of our Govern
ment, or the customs of society, there were
established permanent laboring class, then
there would be reasonable pretext; but no
such condition of society exists. The assump-
ton that wealth can be equalized by law is
subl;mely preposterous. This party, although
organized ostensibly in the interest of the
worlingmen. is really designed to secure pub
lie offices for handful Of demagogues and
unsc rupulous politicians.
As colored American citizens nothing could
be more hazardous to our personal liberty
than utilization at this time with any new po-
litical party. Be not deceived. No new
party organization or combination of parties
can shake the confidence of the great major
ity of the American people in the Republican
party. That party holds National Conven-
fion in the city of Philadelphia on the 5th day
of June next, and it is the duty of every col
ored man to stand by its platform and candi-
dates. BY its success we stand; by its de-
feat we fall.
To that party are we indebted for the thir-
teenth. fourteenth, and fifteenth amendments
to tine Constitution of the United States, the
homestead law, the eight-hOur law, and an
improved educational system. And that
party alone can and will perfect and execute
the great reforms it has inaugurated, and
upon which depends the elevation of Amer
lean labor.
Never before in the history of the country
have the working people received so large a
remuneration for their labor, and been so
prosperous and happy, for which we are espe-
cially indebted to the legislation of Repub-
lican Congress in its policy of protection to
American industry. BY this policy there has
been a steady and unprecedented develop
ment of the resources of the country, an in
creased demand for all kinds of labor, native
and foreign, and better wages that is paid in
any other part Of the inhabited globe.
Nothing could be more disastrous, espe-
cially to the workingmen of the United
States, than the financial and tariff dogma
of the Democratic party. Whilst protesting
great friendship for the laboring classes, lis
legislation, when in power, has invariably
been in the interest of privileged few,
against the development of home produc-
tons, but in aid of foreign manufactures and
workshops.
Under the policy of the National Admin
istratiOn of the Government, three-fOurths of
the workshops in the United States must be
closed and their million of honest, skllful
workmen seek less remunerative employment
or be forced back to the overcrowded work.
shops of Europe. The prices Of all labor,
which would be thus placed in an unequal
competition with foreign labor, would be re-
duced fifty per cent, while there could be no
visible reduction in the prices of the neces-
sarles OF life, house rents, sc. Therefore,
your duty is plain. Cast your fortunes with
the party whose record and aim is to make
labor abundant and remunerative, education
universal and cheap, and to secure equal and
exact justice and equal rights to all the cit
liens of the United States without distinction
of race or color. That party is the Union
Republican party.
Z. S.-The presidents of State unions.
upon the receipt of this circular, will cause
it to be read before each organization.
Very respectfully yours,
ISAAC MYERS, President.
F. q. BARBADOS, Secretary.