Show KNIGHTS OF LABOR The Bal Abandoned Powderiy Issues Is-sues an Address on the Race Question RICHMOND Vn Oct HThe entertainment entertain-ment at the Fair Grounds concluded with a banquet to the visiting delegates White and colored delegates sat together at the table There were present several women delegates and some colored women The idea of giving a ball was abandoned at the latest moment The committee gave no reason for the change in the programme In consequence of the questions which have been raised by the presence of the colored col-ored delegates to the General Assembly Powderiy has addressed a long letter to the public in which he assumes the responsibility responsi-bility for the agitation on the ground that bity he requested Farrell after mature deliberation delibera-tion to introduce him to the convention After referring to the consequent attacks referng by the Southern press Powderly says his sole object in so acting was to encourage and help uplift the colored race from a bondage worse than that which held him in chains twentyfive years ago viz mental slavery The address then discusses the difference between the ri o of citizenship in which the colored race has equal rights with the white and the questions of social equality The latter were questions for each individual to decide for himself Had ho selected a colored man to introduce Governor Lee it would have been quite another thing Powderly says he did not at that time know the colored men were denied admittance to the theatre in Richmond He says Southern cheap labor is more of a menace to the American toiler than chains and makes a strong plea for the education of the colored race |