New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-03-27
BiCkerlags.

And now, here comes voice from the
South, said to be the voice Of colored man
finding fault with Governor Pinchback for
not presenting his credentials to the United
States Senate at its extra session. Surely
Pinchback wanted his seat rs much as any
one desired him to have it. Wherefore,
then, this pickering:
1t is not difficult to ascertain the source oil
the inspiration in this case. raise TREND
and open foe have combined to make the col
ored men of Louisiana throw away the fruits
of the greatest victory they ever won. In
short, the demsgogues who have studied the
colored mans weaknesses are at work to
make the negro tired of success, Hired OF
progress, tired even OF himself.
This is no new symptom in the political
disease Of our people; this pickering IS
chronic. Ever ready to make an advance OF
confidence upon white mans sincerity when
he processes 10 be their friend, though he be
infinitely beneath them in brains, character,
and influence, they are almost invariably
| distrustful of colored man who rises one
| inch above them in power or position. The
| ideas entertained by other people as to the
| methods of success are inverted by Their
mere notions in politics. y German says
''If can get German in high position, that
is one step toward my getting there myself,
or ifnot of getting to that particular spot, al
least it will assist me to get nearer to It,.
But our bickerers say "If colored man gets
| II = IL t.r1 l.,g,- 1 yrfll
get there al ALL"
1t is painful fact that ryen where Ne have
large maiorities we squander their power by
spending part upon mere political vanity,
for ambition is too noble for such natures as
we speak Of, and the otherpart we give away
to any man who has low cunning enough to
inhame our Jealousy against colored rival.
We seem to be very patient in waiting Tor
protested friends among the whites to wear
out an office, but we are quick and hot in
temper if the old clothes are offered to sny
but our particular selves.
This miserable disOrgani1ng tendency does
not come from the novelty of otfice-holding
among us, nor even from good sound desire
to hold office. Where our people have held
office, where, in fact, they alone could hold
office, if they so willed it, they give all the
big offices away, while they jump from one
little twig of position to another, year in and
year out.
What's the remedy? 1t IS simple and
complete in its powers Of cure -take large
dose of self-respect.
Let US feel that we are men; let US realize
that we have future let US have confidence
in truth and fidelity and principle. 1t is an
idle fear that any man will get higher than
his own abilities carry him. If men are
helped forward who appear to have no abii-
ity of their own, Or if they get on without
help when seemingly greater abilities are
united against them, take it for granted that
in both cases appearances are decc!ttul. A
correct analysis Of the power may not be
readily ascertainable, yet the power is there
and it is always safe to tie to such power
Nor should we fall into the opposite mistake
of thinking that we can get something that
we can't take. It cannot be done. FIVE dc
not possess the power OF winning We vii
lose, no matter who else may win.
Why not, then, make this the golden rule o
our political cOnduct-to give our greatest as
sistance to the one who, in the nature o
things, must have the most sympathy with us