The bee., 1883-05-12
COLORED MANS OPINION.

RICHARD T. GREENER SAYS THE
CoLORED MEN NEED NO CONvEN-
TION AND NO AGITATION.
WASHINGTON, May 4.-Richard I.
Greener, LID, the eminent colored
orator and scholar, was asked about
| the proposed convention of eolored
men called to meet in this city Sep
tember next.
IL have great doubts if it will be
held," said he. "But your name is at
tached to the call
II know il" he replied, "but it is
entirely unauthorized. l did not at
tend the meetings of the committee,
because l knew they had no status
among the colored people of the coun-
try, who are naturally and properly
restive under dictation or direction
from Washington, especially when the
motive is in doubt. Men who have
rarely shown interest in our race out
side of retaining themselves in Office,
are not the stuff to make real leaders
out off. am opposed to conventions.
They do harm rather than good. In
them we gather our most turbulent
elements. Washington, too, is the
worst place to hold Il convention. Why
not Richmond or Nashville? We have
our rights under the law. We are free;
have citizenship; have education or
educational advantages, and some de
gree of civil rights. What more do
these men want? More office; office
that is all Some of these men remind
me of the Fenian element among the
IriSh-men who retard Irelands pro-
gress. They have been dancing about
bandishing the lalahs, so long, that
they believe the old method still effec-
tive. Some of our men are run mad
over the notion that this country
is to be run to furnish officers on the
race quota, and because we were once
wards of the Nation, we are to be for
ever under guardianship. | believe in
standing up for my rights when as
sailed and demanding all that belongs
to me as an American citizen, but
no more III the negro Cvttiu Scu ria
of his black leaders, and his white
philanthrOpists by profession, who
follow him from the cradle to the grave
he might in time develop into useful
citizen. His real progress is constant
ly thwarted by these two adverse
factors. "Conventionsp' said the Pro-
fessor, Indignantly: "there never was
one that did not disgrace the race by
their wranglings. Weneed some COM
mon sense, not convention. 1.-THE Com
mercial Gazette.
The above is the interview of Pro
fessor r. T. Greener, of this city, that
appeared in the Cincinnati CONNER
cial Gazette This is a cowardly as
sault upon the colored people OF the
country, and especially of the District
of Columbia, by a man whom the peo-
pie have respected and endeavored to
make him an honorable citizen. He
states that he has doubts if the cOnven-
tion will be held and that his name |
was attached without his authority. |
We desire to inform the gentleman |
that the convention will be held in
Washington, next September, and that
his name was not signed without his
authority. In the first place We met
Mr. Greener, and he told us that while
he didn't favor the convention being
held in Washington, he was favorable
to the convention, and that he had re-
ceived card to attend the meeting
and that he would be present. He
further claims that the committee has
no status. We would like for the coun-
try to compare the social and political
status of any member of the commit
tee and see if such status will not COM
pare favorably with that of Mr..
Greener's. He assaults Mr.. Douglass,
who is the recognized leader of the
colored race. He claims that our
leaders have done more to impede pro-
gress than anything else, and that it
would be better for them to be put out
Of the way. Who has thwarted Iro-
yress more than Mr.. Greener? Who
has been the stumbling block for the
last ten years? Why Richard L.
ireener. He has been a complete fail
educatiOnally and political.
y-educationally he was a failure in
he Washington Public Schools and
south Carolina University, he was a
political failure during Hayes admin
and a failure since his en-
rance into the political arena. He
convicted poor Whitaker and would
lave sent Exodus Peny to prison had
t not have been for Shelenbarger and
" Nllson; and yet he has the audacity to
ay that the races progress is impeded.
Who has been more of an ofice-seeker
han Mr.. Greener? Who has been
more of a tody for the republican party
han Mr.. Greener? Who has denounced
he Republican party more than Mr..
ireener. when he has failed to appease
is ambition for an office? Professor
Ireener rushes into print to gain a
tile notoriety and advertisement over
hat he acknowledges to be highly
ecessary for the eolored people, such
a national convention.
She had an intellectual look. and as
he came up the street talking with her
ompanlon, the strolling passerby
ald TO himself: "She is discussing