The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-06-30
WILMINGTON. n. G.
JUNE 80, 1899.
TIL !. QUESTION OF LABOR FOR
THE SOUTH.

III is indeed nOtlceaDIe ana SlSnln-
cant that both agriculturists and a
ufacturers in the south are discussing
fhe labor question. While some who
have spoken prefer the negro as a Ia
borer to any whites that are available,
there are others who complain heavily
of the unsatisfactory character Of he
than a quarter of a century ago. Bad
politics have had no little to do with
negro generalization and inerectlVe-
ness. The Messenger has given the
opinion of an intelligent resident in
our state from New Jersey, who is
amazed at the ineficiency of the ne
groes as a class. 1t has also told how
four white men in Nova Scotia load
An less time a bark of coal than eight
negroes here will load. 1t gave recent
1y what was said in a meeting of man
ufacturers at Louisville, KY, which
was to the discredit of negro labor in
factories. Quite lately the Messenger
published opinions for and against in
a meeting held in Washington. The
question of negro efficiency and in
,huence upon southern industrial enter
Drises is becoming uppermost. 1t will
continue to attract more and more at
a.ention with the years. We have seen
enough for forty years to convince US
that they can be made and are capable
las 1aborers in to bacco factories. There
are ten thousand workman to prove
this. AS to cotton factories that is
quite another question.
Ut is very certain, We hold and be-
Tieve, that the south will become more
There is development on many lines Of
Sndustry, and cotton milling particu-
iarly attracts attention and elicits
much discussion in New England and
other sections in the north. All efforts
ON the part Of designing, selfish and
-eayvious critics fail here. The business
is steadily charging, and large profits
are being realized. The serious trouble
HI Luc toOulA 10 Juc NCly III" PAiSC VI
cotton and the extremely unsatisfactory
condition of farming in tobacco, corn.
cotton, etc.
The Atlanta Dixie is a progressive,
wide-awake, we'll edited monthly in
dustrial publication. While not shar-
ing IN some of it's views in the past,
ave were impressed with an editorial
in its June number concerning labor
in the south. 1t particularly considers
negro labor, and it believes that it will
he a good thing for the south instead
of a drawback il the long run. 1t
bases it's opinion upon the dangers at
tending organized labor, as now oper-
ating, and the Indifference of the negro
do such unions or combinations. Upon
general principles we incline to the
opinion that Dixie is at fault here. In
North Carolina and other states the ne
groes nave rushed into political unions,
cliques, organizations, and did so i'm
mediately after the war. They believ-
Led all that was told them too by the
white manipulators whom they follow
ed with blind eyes and intense infatua-
ton. We cannot see why the negroes
cannot be controlled by labor unions in
that way. Not necessarily northern
unions that are inimical to negro labor.
The Dixie holds that the negro stands
as a permanent and positive barrier
against labor organization in the south.
This declaration is not carelessly
made. 1t is based upon a painstaking
investigation which has extended
through many years Of intimate ac-
quaintance with southern conditions,
both industrial and sociological" You
can accept or not this dictum, but we
confess to much skepticism at this
point. 1t says it is no enemy ito Or
ganized labor or organized power OF
any character whatsoever, so long as
the strength gained through organiza-
&ion is used for public or private benefit
without hurt or danger to individual
rights or public welfare" That Is
we'll and cautiously stated. Any COM
bination that strikes at either he
rights and prosperity of individual en-
terprise or the public welfare is dan
gerous and in the end hurts all con-
cerne both those who combine and
those at whom they deliver a blow.
The law Of God, of the New Testament
is the right rule for all corporations as
OF all individuals-to always do unto
others as you would be done by. ANY
departure from this golden rule is I'M
moral and oppressive. We think Dixie
precisely correct when it declares it lis
an enemy to that character of organi-
zation which is effected merely for the
sake Of power, without regard to indi-
xidual or public rights. If worthy ar
kisans band together for protection