The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-07-09
WHITE VS.. BLACK LABOR.



! " Elitor-In your Sundays number there
are several communications, each Of which re-
CARDS the proposition, generally advocated,
that hirers OF labor should prefer the labor OF
white men, and even make a temporary sacrl-
fee in order to secure that class of labor-the
object being to prevent the decrease and en-
courage the increase of the white population
of the State. The moral social and political
considerations which should determine such a
preference are too apparent to be disputed.
The white people would have an honest and
constitutional government republican in real
ity as well as appearance, They are sure that
the welfare of the country, and therefore OF
individuals, cannot be restored and maintained
without establishing the authority Of superior
intelligence and education over the folly OF
imbecility and ignorance, aggravated by a to-
| tai absence of moral sentiment.
| The Justice and desirableness of such a
result are fully conceded among the white
people, SO that the matter Of inquiry now only
is: What practical means or methods ought
and can be used to bring it about
One Of your correspondents is working
man, evidently disguised with the incapacity
of the negro to understand the Labor Reform
Movement and the normal operation Of
Trades Unions. He has doubtless heard Of
Lu0 lhLe WHOLESALE VI ucSIOcS
from the South to Hooking Valley, Ohio, to
underbid and take the place Of the white
miners who had struck for fair wages and hui
name treatment. On the other hand, he has,
of course, carefully observed the crude and
inopportune attempt the negro has made in
this city to initiate the strikes Of the white
workingmen in other States He boldly says
that there are workingmen Certainly not the
negroes) in this city who do know what they
are about.
Doubtless he perceives that the first thing
to be done is to establish white mans gov
eminent in the South, and that until this is
accomplished all other questions must remain
in abeyance-for the minds of white men only
are at present capable of solving the questions
and finding the remedies suggested by the i'm
poverished condition of the South. What he
wants is that the white workingmen be given
a fair showing and they pledge themselves ''to
prove that the conclusions they have come to
are the results of study and attention, etc.
1t is manifest that, to redeem the State,
there must be sympathy and mutual under
standing between property holders, merchants
and capitalists on the one hand and the white
laborers and mechanics on the other As to
the negro laborers it is vain to hope they will
ever understand that they are free to vote
against the Radical party; and are incompe-
tent to be Legislators and governors.
The demand of the working man for SYM
patty and hearing is right and just These
are times when perfect harmony and the
reconciling of all interests are absolutely
necessary. Capital and labor should meet
and consult in regard to their common in
terests. / therefore second the motion of
your correspondent. To give it practical
form, would suggest that preliminary con-
ference, composed Of workingmen, property
holders and merchants who have studied the
and have brains to devise, not a
mere theory of political economy for the next
generation, but some immediate remedy of
the evils that are now driving both labor and
capital from the South.
Cancellation Of the interests of labor and
capital in Louisiana, at the present moment,
a white mans government, will, Of course re-
quire some sacrifice on both sides. Both
must look to the general prosperity they may
help to restore to recompense them for pres
ent sacrifices
One of the questions to be answered is:
What can property holders do in the way Of
rent to induce the white working
men to remain in the State?
Another: What discrimination can mer-
chants and others afford to make in favor of
white meu on the score OF wages?
The next inquiry will be how to secure
Of action-the general application of
any plan that may be devised
l see that your correspondents The
Nottingham" Observer" "A Bee," and
S. L. Cane have maturely reflected on these
questions You are, doubtless acquainted
with others who have done the same. think
you would do well to call them together for
IN exchange OF views, the organization of a
large committee, and the formation of II we'll
considered plan for carrying into effect the
natural inclination of this community to en-
ploy white laborers, servants, mechanics,
porters, draymen and others who have no
capital but their strength and skill.
T. W. c.