The American citizen., 1889-03-15
SOMR PLAIN TALK TO OUR
YOUNG MEN.

| xVONU M6N'
Politics is said to be the science OF
government; aud the term science of
| government, we understand 10 be a
conducting of public affairs upon
plans tested and approved. In this
country the suppOsition is that the
government is administered with the
view Of giving to the humblest citi-
Zen of this great nation, even handed
Justice. A science that knows no
discriminating lines, but this science
taken ,abstractly or cOncretely and
viewed both retrOspectively and pro-
spctively FROM Negro standpoint,
shows that it is science full of inn
perfeclions, and that Instead of met
ing out exact justice TO all, it is a
science from which the masses have
derived no substantial benefit. That
our political science is nothing more
than a delusiye conception OF the
brain, and a pleasing fancy of the i'm
agination, fed and cherished by q
hope OF q realization OF bounties
and benefits buried in the distant flu
ture. But my friends hope deferred
maketh the soul sick. Let the Negro
view this political science any way he
may, and he will find that ii is a
science from which the evil for ex-
ceeds the good. This political science
has been, and is now administered by
class of demagoUges that has
brought upon us slavery not much
more tolerab le thai that of so years
ago. Our condition Is only nominal
ly changed. We are still free men
with prescribed bounds; we can adj
vance SO far aud no farther. In this
g political science, we are given TO
D understand that we can vote. prOvid-
ed we vote right But This question
= of right is decided without our cou-
t sultation or consent. Both parties, in
t The North and South are willing TO
D exclude the Negro from the contest,
I in the demonstration OF this scientific
" political problem. There seems to be
" a growing disposition among politi'
clans to shape and control political
affairs without the aid or counsel oi
Negroes.
How we'll they will succeed time
will tell. From the leading men o
the two great contending politica
! parties in this country we are told IL
language that can not be misunder
stood, to loosen our grip and rustic
for ourselves. Yet we stand arount
with our hands under our jaws ant
crave admission. We seem TO have al
inborn tendency TO worship some po
- litical boss. Ii we are men possessing
the same inherent powers for sci! ele
vation aud self-governmeHt, as hav
. been clearly demonstrated by the 9th
II er races, we must convince the doub'
lug world by some clear denonsirs
ton OF these facts The Capita
Commonwealth" says: The Negro
- course upward must be through IN
4 white mans lines" We confess tia
4 after listening TO a speech of one
ri our most brilliant Negro leaders,
th the Graud opera house few weel
or ago. we have been compelled TO pau'
at aud consider the philosophy OF n
ng Capital c Commonwealth" We b
IT. Iieve the Negroes brain capacity l.
IT. large as that OF any othcr race; b.
sS' the question npon which there seen
Ell IN be much doubt. 10 his ability
9 utilize his brain powers 80 a. 10 Ell
c. bile him to adopt such methods - W
he bring ts him good results. La poliil
an we have most siguaily failed AT
M dabbling in politics for q quarter OF
IL century, we cannot produce q slnR
1s Negro who ia an acknowledged les
" er and successful politician. We Ia
killed Douglass aud LongstOn h
=. killed himself. aud so we have so
-. 900 souls without an acknowledg
lIv leader. Whether our yeuug IN
lis. lhaye the ability TO remedy these e.
,ou remaius TO be proven. With their
zes teIligence. vigor aud more curbed =
en-. bitions for place aud power, II III
ey. fail. the fault will be placed where
OF properly belongs, upon them. Ia
Sc ties, TO be made 9 blessing, must
N0 viewed from . business siandpoi
OF" Me,hods must be introduced hy whi
II can be improved or destroyed
= with political parties. II YOU CO
Improve them, then with lear
,.a eArnestness seek their destruction