Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1898-02-05
MR. DURHAM ON THELABoK UNION

Hon. JOHN s. DURHAM, ex-Minister |
to Haiti has contributed a most timely |
and interesting article to the Boston
Mass, ATLANTIC MoErHLY. entitled
1.-The Labor Unions and the Negro"
He commenced his dissertation by
commenting upon the custom OF the
palace-car companies, in having che
colored porters receive even chair
checks upon silver trays, instead of in
their hands as the white conductors
are permitted to do.
He says:
The sentiment which denies him
promotion aud his own Difference to II
are the result of two seperate social
Developments which it is the purpose
of this paper TO point out. They pre-
sent grave, neglected problem. The
subject does not suggest to my mind
merely an appeal for sympathy or JUS
tlce. It suggests this less dignihed
but more important inquiry. How long
equality of opportunity to more than
one tenth of its population, while it
makes the most active efforts to edu-
cate them?
And again:
If this hostility to the Negro could
be traced to an innate social antipa-
thy. one might consider it hopeless to
try to eradicate it. Bat it cannot be
SO traced. His industrial advance
ment is now checked by the liRterfer-
ence of the labor organizations. In
the labor movement. the old guild idea
of exclusiveness is yet opposed 60 the
more recent idea of inclusiveness; and
the Negroes fate Is involved in this
struggle"
Then follows q recital of condi, IONS
prior to the late unpleasantness." It
is true to life and in no part of this
plain. simple. but intensely interesting
narrative do we find misstatement or
failure 20 understand the situation
about which he writes.
That the labor unions are as q rule
opposed to the Negro admits of no
question. Mr.. DURHAM frankly states
the exceptions.
1t was only when they saw IN the
South. that by leaving the Negro out
as factor. they would endanger the
cause of the white members of the la
Dor unions, that the organization OF
colored labor unions, better known as
Knights of Labor began
Mr. T. V. PowDERLY saw far into the
future,-in the recognition and control
of the Negro as laboring factor rest
ed the security OF the white man il
the same field.
The prejudiced would not see and
the fabric went down with a crash.
Mr.. DURHAM concludes his pointed
article as follows:
Eat bottom American sentiment is
Just and practical sentiment. 1t mus
sooner or later consider the results O
such q state of things. Nowhere elsa
in the world is to be found such g-larg'
class arbitrarily restrained in its ef-
forts to work. This restraint is unnat
ural. 1t cannot be removed by legisla
tion unless legislation be supported b,
q strong, favorable public sentiment
From what point of view we choose t,
regard the problem, it is clear that 1
is to be solved in the minds OF individ
uals, employers and employed, afte
due elaboration as to its importance
es an act of justice and as a matter O
high social Importance to the cOmmu
nifty"
Our solution it is in the organiza
tion Of the Negroes into labor-anions b.
Negroes, and with absolute Negr
control, free from any entanghng ALI
ances with any white men, North o
South, East or West.
Whenever social, labor problem
present themselves, the best intellec
on the Negroes side and the ablest o.
the white mems side can consider it i
all of its phases.
We will occupy middle ground, an
can enter into advantageous arrange
ments with the employers, with tn
money on the one side or with tn
, white labor-leaders, and the infiuenc
on the other.
We can then dictate our own term,
if we are true to ourselves or we ca
make fruitless every strike, and max
t useless every effort to improve til
: condition OF the white laboring classe
t unless our rights are recognized in az