New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-10-12
RACE PREJUDICE AGAIN.
Mr.. PowDERLY ON SOCIAL EQUALITY.
| SOUTHERN CHEAP LABOR MENACE AND THE
NEGRO MUST BE EDUCATED.

NEGRO MUST BE EDUCATED
RICHMOND, Va, Oct. 11.-In consequence OF
questions which been raised by the presence here
of Farrell and other colorsd delegates to the General
Assembly Mr. Powderly written the following let
ter stating his views on the subject
"Much has been said and written concerning the
events which have transpred in the city of Richmond
during the past ten days AS am responsible Tor
great deal OF the agitation 1t is but proper that
should be permitted to speak TO as large
audience as that which listened to these
who have criticised, misconstrued and distorted the
words and the idea intended to be conveyed by my u-
terances Of October when Francis Farrell introduced
me 10 the meeting assembled in the armory. stated
to the meeting that it was at my request that Mr. Far
rell representative OF the coored introduced
me; left to to make tho selection and did IL
after mature deberation and careful thought. have
not heard argument since tnen that would
cause do differently to-day. Critics have seen ft
to decide what meant by selecting this man
to Introduce and they have asserted that my action
must be regarded in the light OF attack upon the
laws OF social equality part OF the press OF the
South has attacked in most unjustidable manner
q man, who under the flag and Constitution OF his
country selected another and citizen OF the Re-
public to perform public duty In public place. In
acknowledging his Introduction referred to the preju
dice which existed against the coored II previous
TO that had any doubts that prejudice existed
they been removed by the nasty and
action OF those who were quick insult where
none was intended.
"My sole object in selecting colOred man to intro
duco encourage aud help to uplift his race
from q bondage worse than that which held him In
chains twenty hve mental slavery de-
sired to impress upon the minds OF white ana
black that the result followed action in the
fold OF labor whether that action was on
the part OF Caucasian negro labor
As to social equality the sanctity OF freside circle
III he Inva al Inv ~ 10 are
has the right say who shall enter beneath his
roof. who shall occupy the same bed, private
conveyance other place he is master
of. Ny critics have forgotten that personal
Ger rGsy and xoa Ga sGasy stand ,S. 1.S, ds
make my own selection to which OF the assembled
representatives should perform certain duty Had
selected the cclored man to Introduce Governor Lee II
would have been quite another thing. II is perhaps I'M
excitement ran high aud all things served as sxcuses
for those who wished TO ,ne, nse them When
because Mr.. Farrell attended place OF
amusement asked of him not to subject himself
that he had no intention OF again going TO that or
uS1 at time did mot know that coored
denied admttance to theatres in this city.
relations which exist between the races the South
have strong desire TO see the black man educated
Southern labor regardless OF s color learn to
read and write. southern cheap labor is a menace
TO the American toi"r than the Chinese. and this labor
must he eiucated VIII my critics show how the laws
social equality will be harmed by educating the black
man that he may know how conduct himself a
gentleman VIII they explain how knowledge or the
laws OF his country will cause man To Violate tho laws
or social equalityl viii they in cool. dspassionate
manner eX plain to me whether an education will not
elevate the moral standard OF the colOred man and Will
they tell that such thing II not necessary VIII itb
explained to whether the black should continue
TO work for starvation wages with many abe-boded
oolOred in the South who do not know enough to
for living wagcs IL ia not harf 10 that while
this continues 10 increase In numbers and igno
prosperity Will knock at the door. much
less enter the homr OF the Southern abOer. and that
country that has an abundance Of fed iored aoorer
Ia not nor cInnOt be prosperous one.
There need be further for alarm Tho colored
representatives 10 this convention will not ntrude
where they not wanted. and the tne-honored laws
OF social equality will be allowed to slumber along unds
turhed. The equality Of American ctzens all
and that equality must not be trampied
We here under invitation from any one w cams
OF free will and accord and are paying our own
way therefore such gratOus insults as those offered
ny n few mischevous meddlers are not order and
do not admit OF defence even though given
IN behalf OF the laws OF social equality.
To the convention ! say let ember surrender an
ioa OF ectua freedom because OF any camOr. In
the field OF labor and American citizenship recognize
no line OF race, creed, politics or color"