The Washington bee., 1889-03-09
NEGRO LEADERSHIP.
0Continued from Ist Papel

blot which has every demorallz-
ed American society-eXcepting
that which was incident to slav-
cry. 1t antagonizes states rights
and insists that this government
is anation and not a confederacy
Of states merely and otis care
the colored people may well af-
ford to entrust what they hold
dear-their rights of citizenship
with the hope of satisfactory
returns. AS for the other party
it needs only be said that it
stands for everything which is
opposed to the interests of the
Negro and the country at large.
1t requires no leadership to teach
us to choose between two parties
like these. Party fealty will re-
suit from our universal endorse
ment of principles which are just
and whose operation are not on
ly probable but certain in their
effect as it relates to our advanc-
ement. | therefore claim that
we have had no leaders in the
sense in which that term is uni
versally applied. 2ndly, that
there has been no particular need
of leadership in the sense referred
to. 3rdly, that we. have no lead
er In that sense and 4thly that
there is no need of leadership at
this time. Further that if it is
contended that certain men of
prominence Ito which there be
some honorable exceptions) were
leaders the Negro leadership was
not only a failure but that it was
detrimental to our best inter-
eStS.
That Negro leadership may be-
come necessary In the future
NAV be true and when that time
occurs the leader will surely be
forth coming-a leader indeed
who bearing the stamp of genius
and preeminent fitness will rally
about him the masses who will
follow without a murmur to the
goal to which not only his wis
dom but their intelligent acqui-
scence lead. But just at this time
we want cooperation in business
temperance, fidelity to one an;
other, intelligent and well plan
ned party affiliation, education,
moral and intellectual race
pride, a perfect community of
interest, perfect organization for
mutual benefit and race advanc-
ment; a modification of your
present ministry-strong, def
ant, progressive and unanimous,
having the ability and disposi-
tion to combat error in all de-
partments of national and social
life; and an abiding faith in the
wisdom and goodness of Provi-
dence. And not less urgently
do we need a powerful press the
only true leader of the people
an intelligent, wise, moral, well
sustained colored press for it is
the dial plate of the times, We
want a press in which there will
be no todyism, no dodging, no
qnibling, no vanishing, no dirt
hiding, no misrepresentation,
but journal of progress, the
peoples intelligencer, a powerful
medium of education and one
which by its truly representative
character will demonstrate to
the whites our capacity and
power and will as our disposition
to become a dangerous enemy as
well as a powerful ally. If the
press will perform its duty as it
relates to the foregoing essen
tials; if the masses will heed the
warnings of the press and coop
crate with it in its attempt to
ingraft upon society the higher
forms of social and political life
there will be no need of leader
ship; then will be the speedily
development of the race made
sure and the boasting Caucasian
find In his black brother a coun-
tepart representing as much 10y
atty, as much fidelity, as much
culture, as much material pro-
gress, as much adaptability as he
has been able to discover in him.
self and despite leaders the
American body-politic will be
one in which the spirit of true
brotherhood will be manifested
and all will work In harmony to-
ward universal peace and pros
perity.