The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-11-17
..BROTHERLY LOVE" IN PHILA-
DELPHIA.

We hear of some negroes who went
north returning to Wilmington who
give rather di~scouraging reports of the
pects of their race in the section
they visited. They say idle negroes are
walking about the cities just as they do
here and in either southern towns un-
able to find work. This confirms just
what the Messenger recently copied
from the New York Evening Post In
which it was insisted that the north
offered no advantages or opportunities
for negroes above those the negroes al
ready had in the south. The fact Is
the south gives greater opportunities
b than the north gives save only IN the
case of a few extra house servants.
Recently the people of Philadelphia
have been considering an economic
question of some gravity. There are a
good many negroes in that city, and IL
is stated that there are many GRIM
nails among them. Certain inquisitions
held reveal the unpleasant Fact that
there is "a great preponderance OF col
ored Defendants" They called the
sable-hued negroes "colored," not
knowing the absurdity. Vie class OF
lighter skins are really the only col
.ored" of the race. Here is what the
grand jury of that city finds. 1t COM
plains of certain Limitations unoer
which they live in our midst. Ihat
lis to say beyond servants they have
but little showing. They admit that
s'by these limitations there are FEWER
avenues of employment open TO Tnern
Cthe negroes;) they are largely excluo-
ed from employment in our lndusurldl
establishments, and are, therefore, con-
s;gnedl to securing work of the lowest
and severest kind" And again: For
+bis evil we are unable to suggest a
remedy. certainly none that Woulo
come within the province OF the courts
and can only hope, by emphasizing tine
Foot 70 call public attention TO IT,
when, through the beneficence OF the
nublic and the charitable consideration
IF their position, their condition may
no ameliorated and opportunities be
given them greater than now exist Tor
employment and education Phlladel-
mia is a great city of a million ana a
half people. 1T is a vast MANUFACTURING
city also. Why not invite Samoo ih'o
the factories and other industries ana
also mt the more attractive young
.oouored" women and men in the stores
as sales people, and bookkeepers, ana
why not give them offices OF ol1ereH'
kinds. and invite them to attend the
white churches and become "Jlners!
That will be fine practical appllcaIioh
and philanthrophy. They Will mus
nrove their faith by works and sho"
that their gush over Sambo IS NOT
~-oon;ngless sentimentality and poppy
cock Iet Philadelphia set the exam
nile of freely recognizing tine coioreu
folks as their social and polltlcal anu
economic equals. The Richmond LIS
match. we should regret to see, is us
nosed to make a little fun over Inc
vro,ble in the CITY of Brothsrly Love
aver the imam and brother. 1t Is II
varant enough to remind the people
.hera of their conduct in the past To-
wards the south. and their activity IN
Y,,nning IAN underground railway LII
sbe long ago. That is a cruel reminder.
II saws of the report we have referred
to above:
.e7x,han we dissect this report the po-
-a+,on Of the negroes in Philadelphla
becomes very plain. In large Pc
ahev are a burden upon or prey ~
The whites of the community. l an ~
in connection with the confession as =,
limitations and the side hgnts tha
~-~focCinn ana IL
obvious inference is that the onence
of the vast majority of 'the %prepondep-
ance of colored defendants Is applo,
nriations Of other peoples goods ano
chattels. anse
.In indulging in this little moral iapse
The neeroes of Philadelphia do not diff
fer from the benefactors OF their race
vho held sway in the City OF Brotn-
erly Love during the palmy days OF ao-
clifton. In fact, If there are degrees o.