Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1885-12-19

heretofore, one element of weakness
which we may say has become chron-
ic in the colored race and tisat is in
terrace prejudice disposition to
traduce the characters and to weak
en- the influence Of those who are the
acknowlec ged leaders ofthe race.
Just now this is being exemplified
in the attacks being made upon the
Hon. Frederick Douglass, by some
editors Of colored journals. These
diminutiye creatures would like to
come into notoriety; and they think
or seem to think, that they can best
accomplish their pet desire by drag
ging down to their own level, those
who are their superiors. 1t is not
the seven million colored Americans
who are demanding Mr.. Douglass
removal from the office of Recorder
Of Deeds. 1t is only those few men
whose small shadows eclipse the vir-
tues and the usefulness of all those
whose regulations as leaders are
acknowledged. Some of these are
claiming that Mr.. Douglass never
did anything for his race only when
doing would redown to his own pc
cuniary advantage. Let us ask,
what have these grumblers done?
But has not Mr.. Douglass done some
grand things for his race, and for
posterity? Has he not shown us
what runaway slave without edu-
cation can accomplish, under the
most adverse circumstances Who
but those who are blinded by preju-
dice cannot see in his life the grand
possibilities of the race? and is this
not worth something to us?
These also demand that he should
resign in favor of some Negro dem
ocrat, and not wait to be kicked out,
and they cite us to Mr.. Langston's
action in resigning the Haytien
mission, rs model for Mr.. Doug
lass; but their is nothing analogous
in the two cases whatever. Mr..
Langston being q foreign officer
might be in position to embarrass
the Administration in its foreign
policy, hence he did the right thing
to resign; but, is that true of Mr..
Douglass position! Can he in any
way embarrass the administration
by retaining the Office he holds |?
Besides, what surety has these gen.
tlemen that the place would be ILL
ed by colored man in the event Of
Mr.. Douglass resignation Mr..
Bruce resigned the office ofRegister
of tho Treasury, but no colored man
was found for the place, though it is
an open secret that such competent
men As Peter H. Clark were appli-
Giants. y
Again, il Mr.. Cleveland desires to
retain Mr.. Douglass, it will be look
ed upon as a direct recognition Of
by far the largest element Of the
race, which is known to be republi-
can, and therefore in sympathywith
the incumbent. Besides, no one has
accused him either ofneglect of duty
or of incompetency, and certainly
his retention would be in keeping
with the Presidents oft-repeated
CIVIL SERVICE utterances
But we do not believe that = COL
ored man would get the position, and
certainly not, if the would-be lead
ers were given the choice Of selec-
ton. They could never centre up
on a competent person and for OBJ
vious reasons: each one Of these
thinks he is the man for the place.
but having little more modesty
than cheek (their only redeeming
virtus) they fail to express it in
80 many words. We hope the Pres
ident will retain Mr. Douglass; for
We look upon the told man eloqusnt''
as being one of the greatest men Of
any race which the 10th century has
produced; and in any other race
than ours, which has not yet learn
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