The state journal., 1884-03-29

PHILADELPHIA, March %, 1884.

PHILADEIPnIA, March 20, 1884.
The last issue of the Sunday Mer-
curry contained as a leader in "Items
on the Wing an attack on political
management among the co!ored
voters. Speaking of the lamentable
condition into which he claims the
body polite has fallen, the writer
says:
"We claim after thorough investi
cation, which we have impartially
made, that this unfortunate condition
of the colored voter is practically the
result of the neglectfulness of the in
telligent and better class of our citi-
zens, who have heretofore, not inten-
tionally, allowed the very worst class
of men to assume the ascendency in
politics The majority of these men
are incapable on account of Ignorance
and questionable avoeatiOn of COM
manding that consideration that 3d.
900 voters are entitled TO, hence it is
that year after year we find that we
have made no political progress what
ever. This, however, is the fault in
large measure of many leading white
politicians, who give recognizance to
some of the most inferior and illiterate
representatives of our race, thus aiding
in excluding from politics our most
respected citizens. We care not how
long some people may submit to this
humiliation, but we are of the opinion
that the better and more intelligent
class of colored men of the State will
organize themselves for the specific
purpose of annihilating these political
mendicants, who have compromised
and sacrificed our honor and manhood
on all occasions"
Your correspondent paid Mr.. Gill
bert A. Ball, the president of the NJ.
s. Quay Club, and an acknowledged
political leader, a visit, and referred
the article to him. II read the arti-
cle," said Mr.. Ball, 'fand from what /
know of the writer | think that he
has fallen so low into the depths of
depravity that he is beginning to lose
his brain. 1t is needless to state that
our people are progressing politically,
socially, intellectually and otherwise.
And if they are progressing socially
and intellectually, they are progress
ing politically, for politics is the foun
dation of society and its government,
1t is true that three or four years ago,
when the State Equal Rights League
and other such organizations were
supreme, that as far as the political
status of the colored man was con-
cerned, we were away down in the
scale; but since the young men have
taken an interest in politics things
have assumed different aspect, and
old methods are done away with. We
have STATE JOURNAL at the back of
the young element, ever willing to
uphold their cause, and battle against
the corruption and chicanery of old.
1t is no more than natural, that find
ing a profitable source of revenue cut
off, that we should hear of this article
coming from the source it does.
"The writer takes occasion to criti-
else the ayocations of some of the men
interested in politics. 1t is true that
some of our businesses do not meet
the appreciation Of some; but they
are honest, and some of US have thou
sands of dollars involved, and pay our
taxes and revenues for lawfully con-
Quoting the same; which is better
than forging the names of prominent
politicians to worthless checks. It's
surprising to me that if The editor of
the Sunday Mercury had in view the
elevation of our people, the censuring
of the bad and the recognition of the
meritorious, he should select such
man to conduct the departments
man sunk SO low in depravity thai. he
has all the qualities of a thief, per-
jurer, blackmailer and sot."
The WRITER.