The Washington bee., 1897-08-21

governs them. and then you will be
that the white man is not so
much of an opponent after all and as
von are sometimes made to think he IS.
when YOU are inclined to conduct
as good citizens and i'm
prove the opportunities offered you, then
vou NAV hope to command the respect
and consideration of your more fortu-
nate neighbors. Now, you may in
ouire how this is to be done you may
ask how best to become potent factors
in the body polite.
THE REMEDY
is bv unity of action and organization.
We are not working in harmony. Or
ganization is sure weapon of defense,
a stronghold against political imposl-
ton, and a factor IN humanity that will
withstand the combined forces of So
cial and racial prejudices. We have
lust begun to realize the importance OF
united action; we know also that our
political force in the American body
polite has been like ship on the high
sea in a gale. If we could only come
to the conclusion that public office
seeking is an incident to our citizenship
and our citizenship can only be OBJ
tanned by the strength that may be in
us as a race, then indeed we will be
come factors. There is something that
seems to check us and hold us in an
uncertain position. Force is only re-
spected to the extent of the good or
harm it can accomplish. Organized
force is either for a good or bad pur-
pose. Force that does harm is either
respected or deprecated. Force that
advances or elevates the good is ap-
preciated. We fear muscular strength
as well as appreciate the good of it, or
the good that it can do,
This is what we must do if we wish
to accomplish anything.
Some People argue that success is
not always with the strong nor with
those who may have the greatest num-
Der. One man may be able to lift or
carry more than two others, but we
feel safer, if in battle, with the COM
bined force of $4,000 men than we
would if combating against the enemy
with only 5000 strong.
The interest of a county, city or
State can best be advanced when the
people are united. What can be &C
complished better than organization !?
There should be State organizations
from which a national organization
should be formed. By national organ
ization, composed of representatives
from every State organization in the
United States, there will be tendency
to unite our forces, which will enable
us as race to convince those who are
inclined to ignore our claims that the
time has come for equality of citizen
ship.
ULTIMATE SUCCESS.
To achieve ultimate success as a race
or an American citizen, all minor or
ganizations must become absorbed il
one grand, glorious national body
This is necessary for the welfare of al
concerned. In order to serve thi
great republic acceptably and becom,
power TO be felt far and near ant
throughout all the lands, it become
US to extend our boundaries.
Great works have been accomplished
by the national organization of men
the number of which have been wer'
much less than ours. If number ha
aught to do with the success of a peo
pie, why, we have corner stone OF
which to erect a permanent structure
The time is now, when there are will
ling hearts and hands men of ambi
ton and intelligence to push this jus
enterprise forward and make it jus
what it should be.
The East and West, the North ant
South, are waiting to respond to what
ever is for the advancement of the race
We have had great organizations o
many kinds; some have succeeded
others failed, but sufficient good re
suits have been shown to warrant tn,
making of that which is the concern o
a locality, the concern of the who'll
race. The things which most concerl
one man are those from which human
being extracts happiness, and thoS,
which place him on the same level will
other men, politically, socially and re
ligiously. Now, any which applies t
any one man can be readily applied t.
others.
WHAT OTHERS HAVE ACCOMPLISHED
What greater power is felt to-da'
than that exerted by the labor unions
popularity known as the Knights of La
Dor and A. f. AS? When first start
ed, the very thought of such thing a
labor antagonizing wealth was ridi
culed. Why can't the negro do like
wise? Started only by few persever
ing men, only as cloud the size of
mans hand, just above far off hor
| izon, these unions have broadenet
their scope, until to-day they take il
the whole of this land of ours. Al
shades of political parties bow to them
Presidents tremble when they protest
the itch, the princes, the kings, AM
tle most powerful potentateS in ever
civilized world pay homage to them.
But the Afro-American, in his diSor
ganized state, has not the courage t
command. 1t takes all of his time t
go to Washington and beg, instead Q
demanding what is due him.
The founders little dreamed of tn
great power these unions would be
To-day wealth acknowledges, as sal,
before, that labor has rights which de
mands respect. Unity of action anon,
US now, at this the turning point Of on
history as race, when all the world i
waiting for and watching our ever
move, means the right move at tn
right and most opportune time.
We must lay aside everything whic
savors of self and go into this effor
with will and determination to max
our race a success and something
which in years to come will rehec
credit. Not only will we become
great power in ourselves, but we vii