The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-03-21
evening State SnasraaI.
FRIDAY EVEN'G, MARCH 2I, 1873.
Broken Regulations.
FALLS CHURCH, March ]

FALLS CHURCH, March Is.
TO the Editor Of The State Journal
Professor Langston, of Howard UNIVERSE
ty, lectured in our village last evening on
the above topic before q good audience,
composed of the ellie of both races. He
commenced by saying that there had been
times when our public men would not
think of STOPPING to an action of question:
able morality. That our public men were
once renowned alike for their powers in
debate and for the purity of their morals.
Now men were seen in our legislative halls
who were small of brain and narrow of
soul. The people, he said, were at fault for
this. The voter must know he is
not choosing man because of his party.
but because of his fitness to perform the
duties of his office well, and his honesty
to perform them justly. He could excuse
ignorance, perhaps, in representative of
the negro race, taking his place among free
men after long history of bondage, igno-
rance and submission, but he could not ex-
cuse it in race that has had for century
the free-school and the college. The col
ored man should feel himself vastly below
his white colleague, but is there anything
to justify such feeling? Candidates for
ability before asking or accepting so high a
trust. Indeed it might be well fthey had to
stand competitive eXamination-say on the
constitution, for example; how many of
our representatives could even properly or
intelligibly define the word, give its etymol-
gy, its definition from an English stand
point, from an American stand point, and
give its legal significance? Besides this,
would be needed a rigid competitive exami-
ton, BY the people, of character. In this
way only are we to inaugurate change.
Forensic ability was necessary, but not
enough. Added to this should be proven
integrity, character above suspicion. Let
them not plead ignorance in extenuation of
wrong doing. They have no right to be igno-
rant of their duties. Broken regulations
pursue man for life. He may retrieve for
tune, position, influence. But his reputa-
ton effects his party, his friends, his fam
lily. 1t was said that Charles Sumner re-
marked Of Horace Greeley that the knowl-
edge that the negro had lost confidence in
him had killed him. And furthermore it
was said of Charles Sumner that he
thought if the negro lost confidence in
him it would kill him. The speaker con-
tinued, it is the firm adherence to virtue
and right for rights sake, trusting in
time and Providence for vindication, rath-
er than for party applause. for power and
influence, that is the integrity we demand
in our leaders. That was the virtue he adj
mired in General Grant; his going ahead
when he knew he was right. neither wa
verilg nor answering his accusers, but
trusting to the people for final vindica-
ton. He had never met colored man
who had lost faith in General Grant, or
an unbiased white man who had doubted
his reliability.
The speaker here spoke glowingly
Of Colonel Daniels, saying that, to
his knowledge, he was one of the men you
could build on to, one who could pass mus
ter for abilities, who could be relied on for
integrity, and who was strong enough to
come out best in the face of adverse cir
cumstances.
Broken regulations teach US to uc
careful in the future; to send men
who know the law, who can logically and
intelligently advocate the claims Of their
constituents, and who well understand their
duties and obligations. To select men who
are spotless in honor, without respect to
party services, and to reject a broken
reputation as base metal. Ignorance and
corruption have joined hands IN our high
places, and each defends the other. Let
US not, however, lose faith, first in Provi-
dence and second in the people. lie who
had such men ready for the hour of trial as
Washington, Lincoln, and Grant, has now
the men ready to fill the high places of the
land with honor and trust, if the people
will have the wisdom to call them forth;
for in that way and only that, is reform to
come.
/, Such was, as well as my crude words
can repeat it, the gist and the lesson of the
interesting and eloquent lecture of Mr..
Langston. He spoke without notes, and
in clear, distinct and forcible manner.
At the conclusion vote of thanks was
given with energy.
1t is to be hoped that the people will
take well to heart the important lessons
taught by Broken Regulations.
s. IA S5e1r HOLLY WOOD.