Huntsville gazette., 1886-04-10
OUR RELATION LABOR.
From The Detroit Plain Dealer.

The Plaindaler believes that the
first step nf the Afro American to bet
ter his condition as a wage worker,
and to obliterate all feelings Of pref
udice, aud disbnrse the idea of his
inferiority from the minds of the
white laborer lies with the Afro
American, in making the common
cause Of the wage workers hls own;
and 10 accomplishing this, no better
opportunity is to be had than by
connecting himself with such labor
organizations, as show q disposition
to take him in, and who, perhaps in
fusnced by self interest, more than
anything else, are willing in the
general improvement for the eman-
cipation Of the wage worker to in
clude him. It is therefore meet
that all such overtnres of friendship
on their part should be met half way
and upit made for common
cause.
The agitation on this snbject by
The Plaindealer has not been without
effect 1t has set the race to think.
ing, and we doubt not bat what it
will result in something tangible.
In all parts of the country it has at.
tention OF the most powerful of the
labor organizations, the Knight Of
Labor, and in the city has resulted
in this order making the first pub
lie attempt it has made to gather the
Afro American into its ranks.
Among the communications pub
lished in this issue under "Our La.
Dor Status" will be found one from
Judge Grenell. a prominent man in
Knights Of Labor circles. and one
especially noted for the breadth Of
bis views and "Common Sense
opinions, which merits our consider
alton, coming as it Goes from the rep.
resentative of the Knights Of Labor,
and the frequent expressions it be-.
wars to the Afro American. Mr.
Grenell at the outset recognizes the
fact that the Afro American has
been accorded fair treatment, and
that he possesses qualities, which, il
he was properly treated. would place
him before the world in far better
light. He also asserts that to make
effective the work ::ot the hnmani
tartan in the behalf of the Afro
American, that there must be on his
part IAN inward yearning for great
or opportunities and better environ
ments," and then he asks: Do We
see this? care not the masse,
of the Afro-American salts
fed with their present condition
Do they seek by agitation and or
ganization to place themselves in f,
position to demand their 81 cial po
litical rights?" In the brief space o
an editorial article we cannot an
swer these questions as fully as W.
should like to.
/. DO we see this? That is, dt
we recognize the fact that back O
better environments there is IAN in
inward yearning" or desire. To thi
we answer, Yes. We will &c
still further to ask ourselves. Do W,
posses this Inward yearning?" Th,
cry for better opportunities constant
antly rising from the masses. answe
Yes.
| III Are not the masses Of tn,
Afro Americans satisfied with thei
present condition? No. 1t was th,
discomfort of the masses at thei
status which created the neccessit,
for race journals, of which there are
now large number. The journals
are mediums by. which the race seek
to bring before the public the full
knowledge and extent Of their wrongs
and though which they voice thei
their demands for justice. They ar,
taking the place of men who propos'
as leaders of the race, yet do moth
ing but look fer political honor
That there is dissatisfaction eve:
in certain sections of our country
where ignorance is as dense as it i
in the wilds of Africa. where ednca
tional influences have scarcelyperme
J ated; and where the Afro-Americal
is found in the greatest numbers, i
evidenceu by their please for educa
ton and light; by their efforts ii
becoming land owners-which show
that they are awake to the need O
the race, and by establishing indus
trial schools. where the hand ant
heart as we'll as the head can b
trained. The Afro American by n,
means occupies au inferior position
willingly. Neither should the ca
pabilities and desires Of the race, a
too often happens, be judged by tn
idle and the skiftless. nor will the
mission Of the race journal be fulfill
ed until the race stands on an equa
plane with the other citizens of III,
country.
i III. Do they seek by agitation ant
organization, to place themselves in i,
position to demand their social, DO