Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-02

DOM II ever, survive the evils which give
them birth. But the problems or ma
ton endure. and the recent changes 10
these factories in Charleston constitute
n phase of the greatest problem which
confronts our people.
The Proclamation OF Emancipation made
the black man n freeman; the Constitu-
ton OF the United States declares him 10
be voter: bur time alone shall declare
what place In the citizenship Of the ma
tion ne Is capable Of occupying. IL is mere
f0liy 20 assert that we have reached
solution OF the question thrust upon the
southern people at the point OF the bayo-
net. Thirty-odd years OF suffering have
dulled the edge OF the sharp anger with
which they picked UP their burden. As
time mas gone on the sturdy MANHOOD or
the South has ceased replning. ON people
have reached the point at which the past
rs subordinated 10 the present. They are
seeking solution of their problem with
an earnestness as deep and sincere as
that with which they opposed the pro-
pounding Of 1t. IL is this fact which
brings us to so careful consideration OF
the significance OF the changes which
have recently been made in the factories.
What centuries may bring forth no one
may predict. The negro has 10 work out
his own destiny. The eminent talents pos
sessed by individual members or his race
hold before his hope the image OF higher
things--mentally, morally, even socially
than IL is now possible for him 10 attain.
Inc adversely against WHICH nc 1865 nov
to struggle in these first days OF his citi-
zensbip is beginning to bring him WISDOM
The light Is stu Pickering one, but IL
burns. and there is fruitful promise In the
Circumstance. Ii is 10 his and TO our m
terest that Ee should seek work where II
Is most available. In times gone he was
veritably our newer of wood and drawer
of water Since he Is here. and must re-
main here, rs IL not the part of wisdom
10 mako the best OF him We CAM
II is preposterous 60 talk of retaining
among us a pauper class S,J00.0o0 strcng.
The fields no longer AFFORD Occupation
sufficient to occupy that number OF per-
sons. The natural increase In race has
ployment i'm the cities. A few aspiring
men have reached out for higher culture
and the honored professions, but The great
masses OF the people, the black people,
remain to-day Improbable servants to
the State. These ever-increasing hordes
are a menace to society and burden to
the nation. There IL but one way out of
this multiplicity of difficulties. The negro
must find work, and the white people
must aid him in finding II. The only sure
way TO make him good citizen is TO
make him an industrious one.
one thing seems TO be clear, social
equality, or anything approximating il. is
simply out of the question. The white
man will revolt the instant that subject Is
mooted; aud rightly deeming that asso-
citation on equal terms at the bench, the
looms. the forge Is the first step in that
direction he will combat TO the last gasp
any proposition which contemplates in
discriminate employment of whites and
blacks under the same roof The manu-
facturer must choose between the races;
he cannot mix them.
This. then, Is the issue: Shall we give
the negro work, and. II so, what work?
The duty which we should pay TO him we
owe to ourselves. Until he can help him
self he must hinder us He will remain
ignorant, vicious. idle, until we assist him
10 work.
Charleston Is proving herself a pioneer
In an important. maybe dangerous ex-
pertinent, but the reward would be so
great should success follow that the
hazard she takes is justified. Negro labor
is the cheapest labor this country has
ever known. Commercial progress and
prosperity I'm these DAYS demand cheap
labor Should Charleston discover that
she can set a million spindles to humming
In her midst by putting her colored popu-
lation to work she will not Only rid her
self of an incubus. which has handi-
capped her hopelessly In the race for
prosperity. but she will have blazed a
way which her sister cities will not be
slow to follow.
For the rest. II should be said that Il
will not take white labor long to adjust
itself to the change. should the change
come. Skilled, honest. intelligent toll has
never gone begging for long. individuals
will suffer. Every revolution must have
its martyrs But the increased prosperity
that would come to the South could her
hordes Of idle negroes be nut at work
would make places on a higher plane OF
employment for millions of white men.