The national leader., 1889-03-09


and thoughtful words of those pleaders
for the race, he felt that there was
convincing evidence OF the falsity of
Governor Lees charge that 1.-THE
Negro is inferior to the white man."
Inferior In whatP Surely not in brain.
Here were to be seen men at whose
feet white men might sit and learn
wisdom. Here were men who have
defended their people when to do so
was to invite death. Here were men
who had been compelled to leave their
homes in the South land because Of
their Outspoken sentiments in defense
Of the right. Here we're the men who
mould and fashion public opinion.
Here were the editors and correspond
ents of the colored press. The Press,
the most powerful agency for the
accomplishment of great achievements
that the world has seen.
If the colored people have made any
progress, If they have proven them
selves to be men. if they have called
attention to the wrongs they suffer, If
they have been inspired to higher and
nobIer effort, if the future holds out to
them cheerful vista, 1t is through the
medium and by the agency of the col
ored newspapers. 1t has come to pass
that when white men want to know
the attitude of the cOlOred people they
look into the colOred papers. COlOred
papers are read In the Senate and upon
the stump by men who are discussing
the NEGRO Problem" and thus the
negro assists in the solution. These
cOlored editors then are the leaders as
we'll as the defenders of their people.
And yet they receive most scanty sup
port. Colored people complain that
they are oppressed and yet are not will
ing to hold up the men who fight for
them. Every man should support one
race paper. In alexandria We have
about 5000 colored people; allowing
five to each family, there are l 200 col
ored families here. This number with
other arrangements is sufficient to sup
port two colored papers. Let us rally
to our race papers.
There have been many visitors In the
city during the past week. Among
those may be mentioned DR.. II. l..
Harris, of Petersburg; Mrs. Addie
Cole, OF Pittsburg; Mr.. j. A. Seaton,
OIsS NIL NlAks 11Aoo 1sOoO
Lumpkins, of Hampton; Mr.. Henry
Davis, Mr.. Eugene Bailey, Misses
Lucinda and May Taylor. Of Paris,
Va; Mr.. Lawrence Henderson. Mr..
w. Rollin, and others.
The infant son of Mr.. and Mrs.
Leonard Burke. of Chicago, died last
week. The bereayed parents have the
sympathy Of all.
The Odd Fellows of this city held
their annual thanksgiving service at
| Shiloh Baptist Church last: Sunday
afternoon at O'Clock. The bad weather
and the funeral OF Mr.. II. King made
/ the attendance smaller than usual.
There were representatives present
from Harmony, Lancaster. aud Parker
Lodges. The sermon was delivered by
Rev. j. 4. Howard, Of Washington.
A collection was taken up and divided
between the preacher and the church.
Mr.. Eugene E. Hawkins, a dentist
of Cincinnati, was the guest of Mr.. and
Mrs. G. I'll. Murray, this week.
Rev. N. M. Carroll distributed
among his congregation last Sunday
printed copies OF his annual address.
all were much pleased with this new
and commendable departure. The
address reviewed the years work and
contained much information of inter-
est. Copies may be had by calling at
the parsonage.
The name of the Item has been
changed to Progress. Before the
change was made. however, the paper
printed what is considered wanton
and unnecessary affront to the colOred
people of this city. In one of its
issues it essayed to name the churches
of Alexandria. Every white church
was named, even the smallest. but the
Item could find not single colOred
church in Alexandria.
The funeral of the late Hannibal
King took place from the Odd Fellows
Hall on Sunday last, Rev. Fields Cook
officiated. A large number of friends
and acQuainCances assembled to pay the
last tribute of respect to the deceased.
He was a member of Lincoln Lodge Of
Masons and OF several other societies,
the members of which, including those
of Mount Moriah Commandery, accom-
panied the remains to their last
resting place. AS part of the
services, a set OF resolutions pre-
sented by Messrs. Augustus Lumpkins,
Robert Darnell and P. r. FELTON,, was
read and adopted. These resolutions
set forth the virtues of the deceased
brother, gave pledges of respect and
honor to his memory. and offered con-
dolence to the family in their be-
reavement. A copy OF the resolutions
was ordered sent to the family, and a
copy spread upon the records of the
Lodge. Mr.. King was a member of
the Joint Stock Company, and for
long time the janitor of their hall. He
was formerly very active as ward
politician. He was always quiet,
thoughtful, and respected by all who
knew him. In the last days Ct his life
he was the victim Of partial insanity
In the coming summer Mr.. +. II. M.
Murray expects to tear down the
house in which he now lives, n. E.
corner Princess and Alfred Streets,
and erect in its stead a handsome
frame cottage of the Queen Anne
style. The new house will contain six