The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1879-10-23
HON. GEO. W. WILLIAMS,
The First COIOred Man Elected to the
Legislature Of Ohio.
The Prejudice Against Color Dying
Out.
His Election an Honor to the Re-
publican Party

publican Party.
In our last issue, in speaking ol
the Republican victory in Ohio, we
referred briefly to the election Of
Capt. Geo. W. Williams, a colored
man, to the Legislature, by the Re-
publicans of Hamilton county, as
one of its most gratifying results,
showing the gradual decline and dis
appearance of the prejudice against
the negro, which has been cherished
| by so many white men, even in the
ranks of the Republican party.
When Capt. Williams was first
nominated, there was an immediate
outcry made against him, by a few
Republicans, who are still slaves to
this unworthy prejudice, and a des-
perate effort was made to force him
off the ticket, on the ground that his
nomination would cause its defeat.
To the surprise of many Republi'
cans, even the "truly good" Deacon
! Smith, of the Cincinnati Gazette
Joined in this crusade against color
and preferred charges against vii
liams before the Republican Central
Committee, on the strength of which
he insisted that the Committee
Ishould demand Williams withdrawal
from the ticket. Mr.. Williams ably
defended himself and showed that
the charges were frivolous and IN.
founded, and to their lasting honor
the majority of the Committee de
cided that he should "stick," and
t"stick" ne did, in spite of the "truly
good" Deacon, and the unworthy
prejudice of which he made himsell
the mouthpiece.
Capt. Williams is a natural orator
gifted with eloquence in a remark
able degree, a gift which he has i'm
proved by education, mostly self-ac
quired, until as a political speaker
he has to-day few superiors in the
State, white or black. He is besides
a gallant soldier, and bears on hil
person the scars of three or foul
severe wounds, received while fight
ling for the Nation which gave free
dom to his long-enslaved race. Ht
entered into the campaign with ar.
dor, well knowing the odds against
him, and determined, if possible, tC
overcome them. He made in al
over 8irty speeches, and displayed
so much ability and eloquence, thar
crowds gathered and listened atten
lively wherever he spoke, and it ii
admitted by all that no man in Ham
Iilton county did more effective ser,
vice for the Republican cause. A
last, even the 'truly good" Deacon
ofthe Gazette,was compelled to cease
his growing, and join in the praises
Of the gifted colored man, whom a
first he had vainly attempted t.
force out of the arena, and the re
suit is seen, in the triumphant elec
ton of Capt. Williams, by a majorit!
Of 1888, Notwithstanding the fac
that he was scratched" by man!
Republicans, whose prejudice proved
stronger than their reason.
And so it has come to pass, in tn,
year of our Lord 1879, and of tn
great Republican uprising in th,
| North against the enemies Of Nation
al Sovereignty, that the first colore'
man has been elected to a seat il
the Legislature of Ohio-a position
which there is every reason to be
j Iieve he will fill with honor to hi
constituency, to the State, to him
| self, to his race, and to the part
which elected him. It is an even
which will be memorable in the his
tory Of the country, and one whicl
makes US feel prouder than ever o
the grand Republican party t.
which we belong, which has thu
proved its sincere devotion to itl
foundation principle, Of equal rights
for all men.
In this connection we take pleas
ure in copying, from the Cincinnati
Commercial of Thursday last, the
subioined editorial, which dOel
credit alike to the head and heart ol
the writer. It is also due to that
paper to state, that it gave Capt
Williams a hearty and Jealous sup.
port, from first to last, and no doubt
contributed much to his election, as
it did to the glorious Republican
victory in Hamilton county and the
State at large:
rFrom the Cincinnati Daily Commercial, Oct. 16.
The difficulty men have in conquering
their unreasoning prejudices is illustrated
in the way George W. Williams, the col
ored candidate for State Representative,
was treated by many Republicans. lie
ran behind the average Of his ticket, and for
no other reason than that he belonged to
race against which the prejudiCes of its once
servile condition survive the condition IT.
self. Mr.. Williams, who had an hon
.orable record as a soldier, and who made
most gallant canvass, is the peer in abil-
tv Of any Of the candidates on either legis-