Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-10-12

to stay. He is a citizen and must learn
10 manage his own affairs. His lab and
that OF the white man will be thrown upon
the market side by side. and n9 human eye
can detect a difference between the article
manufactured by the black mechanic and
mat manufactured by the white mechanic.
b0th claim an equal share of the protection
anCrded to American labor. and both me-
chanlcs must sink their differences or else
IA Iall prey to the slave laDornow being imported
to this country" | was not criticised for
saying that. and yet that is as susceptible of
criticism as my words of Oct. 4.
SOCIAL EQUALITY.
| did not refer to social equality, for that
cannot be regu ated by law. The sanctity of
the flreslde cannot be invaded by those who
are not welcome. Every man has a right to
say who shall enter beneath his roof, who
shall occupy the same bed. private convex
ance or such other place as he is master of. /
reserve for myself the right to say who | will
or viii not associate with, and that right be-
longs to every other man. | have no wish to
interfere with that right. NV critics have
forgotten that personal liberty and social
equality stand side by side. They would deny
me the right TO make my own selection as to
winch OF the assembled representatives
should perform certain duty. Had | Sc
Iected colored man to introduce Gov. Lee it
would nave been quite another thing. 1t is
perhaps unfortunate that our coming was at
time when political excitement ran high,
ana all things served as excuses for those who
wished to use them.
THE THEATRE INCIDENT.
When heard that there was likelihood of
trouble because Mr.. Farrell attended a place
OF amusement, asked of him not to subject
himself to insult by going where he was not
welcome. He told me that he had no inten-
ton OF again going to that or any other place
where his presence would give rise TO COM
ment Until that time did not know that
coiored men were denied admittance to the
theatres in this city. While have no wish
TO interfere with the social relations which
exist between the races Of the South. / have
strong desire to see the black man educated.
Southern labor, regardless of its color, must
learn to read and write. Southern cheap "a
Dor Is more menace to the American toiler
than Chinese. and this labor must be educa-
ted. VIII my critics show me how the laws
of social equality will be harmed by ed
may know how to conduct himself
as a gentleman? Will they explain how
knowledge of the laws of his country will
| cause man to violate the laws of social
equality VIII they in cool. dispassionate
manner explain to me whether education will
not elevate the moral standard of the cOlOred
man, and Will they tell me that such thing
is not necessary? viii it be explained to me
| for starvation wages with 30 many able
bodied cOlOred men in the South who do not
know enough TO ask for living wages? 1t Is
not hard to guess that while this race con-
tinues TO increase In numbers and ignorance
prosperity will not even knock at the door,
much less enter the home of the Southern la
ance of tll-fed ill-bred laborers is not nor
cannot be prosperous one.
WAVING THEIR RIGHTS.
Will nv critics stop long enough 10 tell me
why the United States Senate allowed a col
ored man to introduce before the Vice Presi-
deut of the United States measures for the
benefit Of his Slater Were the laws of social
| equality outraged when the House of Repre-
sentatives permitted colored men to take
seats in II? Why did not other Southern Rep
al Ian ovRh RkAt~
when that was donep There need be no
further cause for alarm. The colored repre-
sentatives to this convention will not intrude
where they are not wanted, and the time
honored laws of social equality will be al
lowed to slunber along undisturbed. We have
not done thing since coming to this city
that is not countenanced by the laws and
constitution OF our country; ana In Difference
to the wishes OF those who regard the
perior to the laws Of God and man,
we will not. while here, avail ourselves of ali
these rights and privileges which belong to us.
Equality of American citizenship is all that
we insist on, and that equality must not be
trsmpled upon. Now word as to hospitality.
We are here under no invitation from any
one. We came Of our own free will and ac-
cord, and are paying our own way. There
fore, such gratutous insults as those offered
by few mischievous meddlers are not in
order and do not admit of defense, even
though given in behalf of the laws of social
equality. l do not hod the people of Rich
mOnd responsible for the ill action OF few
who saw menace IN our every action.
CORDIAL TREATMENT ACKNOWLEDGED.
The treatment received at the hands of the
citizens generally has been most cordial. If
during our stay any represen ntative shall con-
duct himself in an unbecoming manner he
alone viii be held responsible for HIS action.
To the con vention | say let no member sur
render an lota OF intellectual freedom because
of any cIamor. Hold fast to that which is
true and right. The triumph of noise over
reason is but transient. Our principles will
be better known, II not to-day it may lie to-
morrow. They can bide their time, and will
some day have the world for an audience. In
the field of labor and American citizenship
we recognize no line of race, creed. politics,
or color. Demagogues may distort for pur-
pose the words of others, and for time the
noise of the vocal boss may silence reason;
but that which is right and true will become
known when the former has passed to rest,
and the sound OF the latter's voice has for
ever died away. Then 1t will be known that
an intelligent. educated man is better quail
fed TO discern the difference between right
and privilege, and the unwrtten law Of social
equality will be more rigidly observed than
it Is to-day. T.V. PowDERLY.