Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1886-10-15
POwDERLy EXPLAINS


The bon-ton soeij'ty-." q "fSicbmons Ia.
been considerably exercised ovor the
tact that colored knight Of L,bor r,.
called upon to. Introduce Master Work.
man Powderly to the conveptio, oe ,be
Knights Of Labor now in session At
Richmond, and the appearance Of color.
ed Knights participating in the proced.
ings Of the convention. II seems col.
ored man named FARRELL was reou..ied
to introduce Mr.. Powderly. (and did so
in becoming manner, and in doinc 81
gave mortal offence to the pre;udiced
notions of the citizens of ,ba,
city. They have criticized the
Knigits for such con,uc, and
even gone so far as to demand an
explanation Of Mr.. POwderly for his
unbeeoming conduct in endeuyorinr
to infringe upon the rights Of
Richmond society. The former passed
unuoticed, but the demand for an cvpl,.
nation has been gratifcd. Mr.. Pow
derly in bong letter shows !, terse
language & by conclusive argument that
the organization of which he is , lead.
ing member, is a society endeavoring to
practice what it breaches, /. e to fos-
ter and prom ote the welfare Of tho work.
ing man, recognizing no line of race,
creed, politics or co'or. He ar
CUES, and not without force that
it Is to the interest of the laboring white
man to educate the laboring black man
50 that together they may be able to
combat more successfully against cheap
European labor which is now Rocking
into this country. Southern cheap la
Dor is more menace to the American
toilcr than Chinese labor and the only
safe mode of dealing with it, to prevent
its becoming II competitor of white labor.
is, to educate the colored laborers Of the
south up to a proper idea of the value of
their labor. How can social equality b.
harmed by teaching the colored man to
be a gentleman, he asks, and poiniedly
informs his critics that his organization
came to Richmond, upon no invitation
of the citizens of that city, but at their
own instance; that they are paying their
own expenses and intend to stand upon
their rights as citizens of the Uaited
States without asking favor.
In such a step, .condemnatory of the
fact that colorcd Knights are accorded
equal rights, with the white knights of
the order, great mistake is made. The
colored people are citizens of this coun-
try as much so as the white people, an
have been granted equal rights under
the constitution and laws of the country
This does not mean that they shall share
the hospitality of the white mans house
hold against his wish. Society regulates
itself, makes its own laws and eDlofees
them. The equal rights granted By The
constitution is tue right to ehga ge many
lawful employment, and to Be- protected
Ein their person and property
Us other citizens. To hgqne
members os .a sssE Too. |
\ their interest is . priv Sss Ilssn'
and how doing s. can Insult The refined |
notions of Richmond society e hard TO
comprehend. Side BY slds tue |
colored and white maa tiIl the
soil work at the mechanics bench, and
sit in the halls of Legislation why
then should they not become hnishts Of
Labor? 1t is of no disgrace to do bus
mess with any man possessed Of genteel
ness and common politencss, and if this
class of labor can be induced to confede-
rate with white labor mutually
> protecting their respective interests it is
{ nothing more than matter Of
9 business to seek their cooperation
u and aid the fastidious notions and refined
tastes Of Richmond society to the contra
!, ry Notwithstanding