The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1881-11-26
New Fields.

New leluSs
The success of Mr.. s. A. Butler. a
colored man of education, in China, an
account of which was published III
THE LEADER some time ago, suggests
the idea of new field of usefulness
to themselves and the race for educated
Young colored men. Mr.. Butler Is at
the head of native Chinese steam
navigation company, the owners OF
thirty-five steamships, some of which
are engaged in traffic between San
Francisco and different Asiatic ports.
This company of Chinese capitalists
has entered the field of maritime COM
petition and bids fair to monopolize
large share of the Pacific Ocean COM
mon carving business.
Mr.. Butler entered the service of the
company in subordinate capacity,
but displaying energy and organizing
capacity of high character, he was
soon promoted to the head of the man.
agement. This instance OF the success
of an American Negro in foreign lands
is not an isolated case. Indeed, in no
other country in America are there such
great and almost insurmountable ObSta-
Giles to success in the pathway of the
Young man of color as exist in the
United States.
There are many instances in the Cen
trail and South American countries,
Mexico, the West India Islands, and
elsewhere in America, where men of
Negro blood have risen to eminence in
the social, business and political world.
1t is true some have attained wealth
and high station in this country, but
| the number is few. and the struggle
has been made in the face Of fearfully
discouraging circumstances. What we
want and what we should have, is a
free and untrammeled chance for sue
cess in life with every other class of
people. We haven't got this now, and
in many respects seem as far from it as
ever.
Let us be explicit and show clearly
what we mean. 1t is true that in near.
ly every state i'm the Union, white and
colored people, insofar as the law itself
is concerned, are equal. But the OPP
portunities for success in life as between
the white and black man, are vastly
unequal. There is absolutely no re-
striction whatever upon the ambition
energy and sagacity of the white youth
starting out in life. His own country
and all the world is before him. He
can 90 where he listeth: do what he
listeth. But how immensely different
| the opportunities for success in the life
that await the colored youth. Confined
to the very few and tortuous pathways
he succeeds, if at all, almost against
fate itself.
| If educated he must either teach,
preach, or be politician. The pro-
LESSONS are not yet remunerative to
him, all other lines of business are prac-
tically closed unless he has capital,
which very few have. These are facts
patent to everybody. In view of this
condition of things, is it not well for
our young men in school to begin to
prepare themselves to seek wealth, for
tune, and it may be, fame in other
than their native land Let them pre-
pare themselves for commercial pursuits
by studying those branches that will be
useful to them. A knowledge of such
languages as the French, Spanish and
possibly German will be valuable.
Bookkeeping, navigation, surveying,
international law, etc, will be of in
calculable benefit to those wishing to
60 abroad.
When thus equipped with that knowl-
edge which conquers, let our young
men be informed that they can find
fields of usefulness in China, Japan,
| elsewhere i'm A sia and bar islands If the
Pacific Ocean, and South America,
where their color will be no bar to their
progress, as is the case in their native
land. We should be adventurous, and
go where we can do well. The exam
pie of American Negroes rising to
prominence in other countries, will
have very salutary influence in Grad
icating the infamous prejudice that de-
] MES him an equal chance at home,