The Washington bee., 1886-10-16

conveyed by my utterances Of eOc-
tober a, when Francis Farrell'in-
troduced me to the meeting assem-
bled in the Armory. / stated to
the meeting that 1t was at my re-
quest that Mr.. Farrell, represen
tative of the colored race, introduc-
ed me; it was left to me to make
the selection, and [ did it after ma
ture deliberation and careful
thought. have not seen nor heard
all argument since then that would
cause me to do differently to-day.
Critics have seen fit to decide
what | meant by selecting this man
to introduce me, and they have as
serted that my action must be re-
garded in the light of an attack
upon the laws of social equality.
A part of the press of the South
has attacked in a most unjnstifia
BILE manner-a man who, under
the flag and Constitution of his
country, selected another man and
a citizen of the republic to perform
a public duty in public place. In
acknowledging his introduction |
referred TO the prejudice which ex
listed against the colored man. If
previous to that day I had any
doubts that prejudice existed
they have been removed by the
hasty and inconsiderate action of
those who were so quick to see an
insult where none as intended. My
sole object in selecting colored
man to introduce me was to en-
courage and help to uplift his race
from a bondage worse than that
which held him in chains twenty
five years ago, viz, mental slavery
| desire to impress upon the minds
of white and black that the same
result followed action in the field
of labor whether that action was
on the part of Caucasian or negro
labor.
SOCIAL EQUALITY
Social equality cannot he regu-
lated 10y law. The sanctity of the
fireside cannot be invaded by tho sc
who are not welcome. Every man
has a right TO say who, shall enter
beneath his roof, who shall occupy
the same bed, private conveyance
or such other place as he is mas
ter of. / reserve for myself the
right to Say who | will or Will moi
associate with that right b longs
to every other man. have nc
wish to interfere with that right
My critics have forgotten that per
sonal liberty and social equality
stand side by side. They would
deny me the right to make my owl
selection as to which of the assem-
bled representative should per
form certain duty. Had / selected
the cOlOred man to introduce GOV
Lee it would have been quiteanoth
er thing. 1t is perhaps unfOrtu
nate that our coming was at q tim,
when political excitement ran higf
and all things served as. excuse.
for those who wish to use them
When | heard that there was like
lihood oftrOuble because Mr., Far
rell attended a place Of amusement
| asked of him not to subject him
self to insult by going where III
was not welcome. He told me tina
he had no intention OF again GO
ing to that or any other plac
where his presence would Civ
, rise TO comment. Until that tim
| did not know that colOred no.
were denied admittance to theatre
= in this city, While l have no wlsl
to interfere with the social reli
tiOnS which exist between the race
; in the South, have strong desir
to see the black man educated.
COLORED MEN IN CONGRESS.
: Will my critics stop long enuug
{ to tell me why the United State
Senate allowed a culorad man t
introduce before the Vice Pres
: dent OF the United States measure
J. for the benefit of his state. Wer
the laws of social equality outrage
when the House of Representative
: permitted co ored men TO tax
J, seats i'm it. Why did not Othe
Southern Representatives leav
! and return to their homes whe
that was done. There need be II
y further cause for alarm, the cOlol
ed representatives to this convel
ton will not intrude where the
> are not wanted and the time-hono
. ed laws of social equality will b
allowed to slumber along undis
turbed. We have not done a thin
# since coming to this city that is nc
couutenanced by the laws and col
stitutiOn of our country, and
Difference to the wishes of thos
who regard the laws of social equal
ty as superior to the laws of Go
and m IN we will not, while here