The bee., 1883-03-10
THE NOBLEST ROMAN OF THEM ALL
The RETREAT OF THE INDEPEN
DENTS.
THE WASHINGTON BEE"

THE WASHINGTON BEE"
DEAR DoCToR.-While 1 have had
the BEE in my possession since you
handed it to me several days ago, |
have not read a word in it. Neverthe-
less, two of the allegations to which
YOU called my attention, namely, that
signed a circular which was circula-
ted in the Camden district of New
jersey, during the last election, advis-
ing colored voters to scratch the name
of Mr.. Robson, and furthermore,
that at an Independent meeting held
in Liberty Hall, "cheered when Lin
coin was denounced by one of the
speakers" has not escaped my memory.
Now. while l believe us a general
rule that my time is too valuable to
stop to read and reply to imputations
such as these, wholly void of truth,
nevertheless, suffice it to say / never
heard of the existence of the circular
here specified until l heard of it in the
BEE, many weeks after the election,
and, of course, l never so signed it.
Never asked any voter, white or black,
to scratch or vote against Mr.. Robson
Nor is there the sligest shadow of
truth in the allegation that l "chcered
when Lincoln was denounced"
Since have owned Liberty Hall,
have desired that it might be made a
centre where the cause of freedom
might be upheld and advanced, espec-
tally in Philadelphia, where vital in
fluence of an.elevating character might
be cultivated to promote education,
temperance, business aspirations and
the welfare of our unfortunate people
generally, and especially where the
pictures of the noble men and women
who labored and sacrificed so faith
fully in the cause of freedom in the
dark days of slavery, might be largely
represented on the walls Of the hall, to
inspire and cheer the multitudes who
might be gathered there ON public oc-
casions. Among the friends Of free
dom thus commemorated, it must be
observed by every one on entering the
hall, that no picture occupies a more
conspicuous place than Abraham
Lincolns. Also large sized one of
him has for long time been found in
my PaE1lqIEt E1lqIt esTFdisft lsFd 10 u my G attitude TO- TO-
wards Lincoln.
Now, Mr.. Editor, it seems to me if
some of our colored men would labor
as ardently to raise the standard of in
tegrity, morality, industry and econ
omy, as they do to misrepresent and
blacken the character of others, far
higher degree of advancement would
be indicated in all the avenues where
the colored people are so sadly suffer
ing from the effect of oppression and
injustice for such long period in this
country. The editor of the Bee may
see, for aught l know, how he may ele-
vate his race by aspersing the char
acter of men hundreds of miles away
who are utter strangers to him, but l
confess that have never been able to
see any but evil results coming from
this mode of editing colored paper.
With these reflections l return you
the Bee with the same unShaken conf
dence in the old doctrine entertained
by yourself and so earnestly advocated
in THE RECORDER, that righteous
ness eXalteth a nation, but sin is
reproach to any people"
WM. STILL.
Christian Recorder.
"Our esteemed contem porary, the
BEE, has our sympathy in
its present embarrassment. We hope
that it's suit for libel will not impair
its usefulness" Tile Weakly Specta-
tor
Thanks, brother Spectator if we are
confined in the common Jail and de-
prived of our liberty by this suit for
libel, we shall continue "allee samee."
"The Washington BEE seems to be
getting the best of Robert Purvis.
Look out, Bob, the BEE is after You
with wholesome arguments" y The
Cairo Gazette.
Our sprightly Gazette seems to look
1t the argument that we are making
rs all other sensible journals. The half
las not been told yet. We hold the
oast with party grape and canisters."
We shall let loose our guns ere long,
md if we don't startle the country we
hall give you the elephant and the
mt" of the enterprise.