The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-12
THE NEGRO AND HIS RIGHTS.
General Master Workman Powdcrly
Gives His Views in Strong Language,
And Tells IntOlerant Southern BOurbons q
Few Great Facts Which Ex-Slaveholders
Will Do Well to Study Carefully.

RICHMOND. Va, Oct lin consequence of
questions which have been raised 0y the presence
here of Farrell and other colored delegates to
the General Assembly, Mr.. Powderly has written
the following letter:
Much has been said and written concerning the
events which have transpired in the city of Richmond
during the past ten days. As am responsible for
great deal of the agitation, it is but proper thatI
shoulu De permitted to speak to large audience
as that which listened those who have criticised
mlsconstrued and distorted the words and the idea in
tenoeG TO oe conveyed by my utterances of Oct. 4,
when Francis Farrell introduced to the meeting
assembled in the Armory 1 stated to the meeting
that was at my request that Mr. Farrell arepresent
alive of the colored introduced me-
it was left to me to make the selection
and did it after mature elaboration and careful
tnougnt have not seen nor heard argument
since Then that would cause me to do differently to-
Gay Critics have tit to decide what meant in
selecting this to introduce me- and they have
serted that my action must be regarded in the light of
an attack upon the laws of social equality part OF
the press OF the South has attacked in most unjus
unable manner. man who, under the flag and Consti
tuition of his country selected another man. and cit
lzen OF the Republic to perform public duty in
public place. In acknn wledging this introduction.
referred to the prejudice which existed against the
coored Aan. 1t. previous to that, had any doubts
that prejudice existed they have been removed by
the hasty and inconsderae action of those who
| SO quick to see insult where none was intended
MY object in selecting colored man to introduce
was to encourage and help to upift his race from
bondage than that which held him in chains
L
sired to impress upon the minds of white and black
that the result followed action in the field of
labor, whether that action on the part of eau
casan negro labor.
Two years ago in address delivered in this city,
said to the people of Richmond: You stand face
to face with a stern living reality responsibility
which cannot be avoided shirked. The negro ques
ton is prominent to-day as it The first
proposition that stares in the face is this The
negro is Free he is here, and he is here to stay He
is citizen, and must learn to manage his own
affairs. His labor and that of the white
will be thrown upon the market side by side and
human eye can detect difference between the article
manufactured by the black mechanic and that manu-
featured by the white mechanic. Both claim an
equal share of the protection offered to American
labor and both mechanics must sink their fferenees
or else fall prey to the slave labor now being imported
to this country.
was not criticised for saying that and vet it was
as susceptible of criticism my words on Oct. 4.
did not refer social equality for that cannot be
regulated by law The sanctity of the freside circle
cannot be invaded by those who not welcome
Every man has the right to say who shall be-
meath his roof who shall occupy the bed private
nveyanee or such other place as he is master Of
Preserve for myself the right to say whom I will
will not associate with that right belongs to every
other man have no wish to interfere
with that right. My critics have forgotten that per-
sonal liberty and social quality stand side by side
They would deny me che right to make my own Sc
lection as to which of the assemb ed representatives
should perform certain duty. Had I selected the
coored to introduce Gov Lee it would have been
quite another thing 1t is perhaps unfortunate that
coming was at a time when political excitement
ran high and ali things served for those
who wished to use them. When L heard that there
was a likelihood of trouble bec,use Mr. Farrell at
tended place of amusement l asked of him not to
subject himself to insult by going where he not
welcome. He told that he had no intention of
again gong TO that or any other place where ms pres
ence would give rise to comment. Until that time.
did not know that coored denied adrnittance
to the theaters in this city.
While have no wish to interfere with the social
relations which exist between the in the South
have strong desire to see the black educated.
Southern labor regardless of its color must learn to
and NVpIfa "a horn al &c 0npaQ
meLace to the American toiler than the Chinese and
this labor must be educated Will my critics show
how the laws of social equality will be harmed by
educating the black man so that he may know how to
conduct himself a Rentleman2 viii they explain
how knowledge of the laws of this country will
cause to violate the laws of social equality
Will they in a cool. dispassionate manner explain to
me whether an education will not elevate the moral
standard of the coored man. and will they tell
me that such thing is not necessary?
Will it be explained to whether the black
should continue to work for starvation wages with
many able bodied coored men in the South who do not
know enough tn ask for living wages2 1t is not hard
to guess that while this continues to increase in
at the door much less enter the home of the Southern
laborer: and the country that has abundance of i'll
ed i'll bred laborers is not cannot be- prosper
Gus one.
Will my critics stop long enough 20 tell why the
United States Senate allowed cOored man to intro
duee before the Vice president of the United States
measures for the benefit of his State9 Were the
laws OF social equality outraged when the
House Of Representatives permitted colored
Southern representatives leave and return their
homes when thar done? There need be further
cause for alarm. The coOred representatives to this
convention will not intrude where they not want
ed and the time honored laws of social equality will
be allowed to slumber along undisturbed.
We have not done thing since coming to this city
that not counenanced by the laws and Constitution
of country and in Difference the wishes of those
who regard the laws of social equality superior to
the laws of God and will not, while here
avail ourselves of all of those rights and privileges
which belong to u.s. The equality of American cti-
zenship is all that insist and that equality must
not be trampled upon
Now, a word as to hospitality We are here under
no invitation from anyone. We of our free will
| and accord and are paying way; therefore
such gratuitOus insults those offered by few
chevous meddlers not in order and do not admit
of defense though in behalf of the laws of
responsible for the il action of the few, who saw
menace in every action. The treatm emit received at
the hands Of the citizens generally has been
most cordial If, during STAY, any representative
shall conduct himself in unbecoming manner, he
alone will be held responsible for his action To the
convention say let member surrender iota of
intellectual freedom because or any carnor Hold
fast to that which is true and right The triumph of
noise reason is but transient Our principles
will be better known. if not to-day it be to-mor-
They bide their time. and viii some day
have the world for audience. In the field of labor
and American citizenship recognize line of
race, creed, politics color. The demagogue NAV
distort for purpose the words of Others and for
time the noise of the vocal boss silence reason;
but that which is right and true will become known
when the former has passed to and the sound of
the atters voice has forever died away Then it will
be known that the intelligent educated is better
qualified to discern the difference between right and
privilege and the unwritten law of social equality
will be more rigidly observed than it is to-day.
IT, V. POwDERLY.