National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-10-15
The Knights Lend tho WAY.

Council No. 40 Of the Knights Of Labor
have blazed the way and pointed the road
to the solution Of the status Of the colored
voters rights within the law. Aud of this
let all in politics make sure note and give
ample sign. These men went to Rich
mond, the people Of that city palpably In.
tending to pptroni=c them as a lot OF me-
chanics, but with the breezy way Of the in
dependent American, they blew q blast Of
fresh air across and over the country that
has chilled the enthusiasm Of the would
be governing corner of the nation.
These Knights had elected as one
of their number, by constituency whose
right none question, as a delegate an
abstraction, In point Of fact an entity
formed and fashioned as colored man,
and practically say we have no time to fool
with your silly billy race notions; here Is a
citizen and delegate, as such before the
laws Of the land and the rules OF all civil
lized people, he has the same legal rights
that any one has, and everybody must
recognize them, that is the purpose of the
American government, It is the purpose OF
our order, take his color or leave It alone
| just as you please. Here and now he is
delegate, and he goes where all 60 who
pay their way and preserve order. As
delegate and citizen you must and
shall recognize him; socially, II you don't
want him, let him alone. Broadening
the proposition It comes to this When q
colored man exercises his right of fran
chise the vital force of the American peo-
pie, which to-day as in all the past is
contained in the body OF the wage Garner,
says to those who for years have boosted
their contempt of the "mudslls," that vote
cast there by black arm is not negro, It Is
a vote, and as such shall be obeyed and
respected accordingly, and fully counted
and accounted for, as well as protected.
Gentlemen in politics who are not now
willing to stand up to the rack on this
| proposition must make way for those
who will, for II the labor vote In
one part of the country is struck
down and violated, by the same mark II
will be attempted elsewhere. The honest
ballot is labor's only protection, and labor
is fast growing sensitive to Its rights. 1t
has at last found out that whatever 1t
wants it can have by first settling to II
definite policy rs TO what II wants, and
then moving for II within the law. 1t has
found, too, that when the law is invaded
1t is first called on to protect, uphold aud
make sacrifices for the law, and that by
preserving the laws as 1t goes along there
is greater plenty and less trouble Watch
this labor movement, ye OF the old
school. There be mechanics, miners,
and other classes Of labor who have
stopped, saying that they will be heard, but
are being heard, and to these are added
brain laborers, clerks, and other wage
earners. These Richmond movements are
in the line Of the peoples rights within
the law, not the forcing of social bonds OF
barriers; and whether the vote robbers oi
the south like 1t or not, these principles
which the mechanics have shown you SO
sharply are the ones that win in republics.
Those who in recent years have tried to or
ganize government on differing lines must
: get away. new day has come.