The national leader., 1889-02-02
In DEFENCE OF GEN'L MALONE.
Malone Strong Friend Of the Negro.

Malone Strong Friend OF the Negro.
HON. W. W. EVANS, OF THE VIRGINIA
LEGISLATURES, URGES HIS RACE NOT
TO PUSH FORWARD FOR HIGH HON.
oRs UNTIL STRENGTHENED INTEL
LECTUALLT AND FINANCIALLY.
[From the Washington, D. c., Datlv Post, Jan.
29th, 1889.
PETERSBURG. Va, Jan. 2S.-Hon.
w, W. Evans is one of the most prom
inent colored men in Virginia and a
member of the State Legislature from
Petersburg. He is also the editor aud
owner of the Virginia Lancet news
paper, a leading colored organ of the
State, published in this city. Mr..
Evans was interviewed to-day by the
Post correspondent IN reference to the
proposition relative to the appointment
of colored man in Presldent-elect
Harrison's Cabinet.
"What do you think Of the remarks
reported to have been made by Gen.
Malone to a delegation Of colored men
at Charleston, S. G., recentlyp" was
asked.
81 have it from the most reliable
sOurce-that is, from Gen. Malone
himself-that he was not correctly re-
ported by the newspapers. Those who
know Gen. Malone well, and know of
his labors in behalf of the race in the
past, could not doubt this for mo-
ment. That Gen. Malone is strong
friend of the negro is evidenced by the
fact that he has accomplished more for
the race right here in Virginia than
the combined Republican leadership of
the South has been able to do In all the
years since reconstruction.
"What do you think of the PROPOSE
tion which has been recently the sub.
iect of discussion In political circles
with reference to the appointment of a
cOlored man to the Cabinet by Presi.
dent elect Harrison?'
i think President Harrison would
make great political mistake If he
should appoint cOlored man to place
In his Cabinet. l make this broad and
bare-faced statement with the fullest
reflection. 1 can see but very little good
the appointment would do the race; and
yet a few well-meaning colored men,
without looking deeper than the sur
face, are disposed to join in
the demand for such a place.
Or course the honor of holding
position of so much power and influ-
ence would be something for us to be
proud of. We could swell up in our
newspaper articles, essays and oratiOns
and think the race very great, but the
question which presents itself to the
thinking negroes of the country is
whether the giving Of place of such
prominence to negro would best sub
serve the interest of the whole race. [
think that we would be more benefited
by the appointment Of our strong
white friends in the Cabinet. and the
selection of several hundred men of
color to places of less Importance under
the Government.
cit IS not to be supposed though
that the race is WI hOut able men. 1t
can produce at short notice men capa-
BILE of holding most any Office where
ability, ETC., are required. Thoughtful
colored men, however, know the depth
of the prejudice against their race. and
are not disposed to do anything TO dis
rupt the Republican party. They
know that color prejudice Is strong in
the North as we'll as in the South, and
that there are negro haters IN the
Republican as we'll as In the Demo-
cratic party. They believe though
that time will finally bring the negro
everything 10 which he is entitled.
They know that the world was not
made in one day, and they propose to
exercise Judgment and patience.
have 40 doubt that in the future the
negro will demonstrate to the satisfac-
tion Of everybody that he is so much
identified with the Government and SO
well prepared for the duties that by
general consent he will be called to the
Cabinet, but | do not think this will
occur until the race generally becomes
financially and intellectually much
stronger than 1T is to-day.
81 am satisfied that There is no COL
ored man aspiring for Cabinet hOnOrs
now, and if there w a candidate he
would not be appointed, so we may as
well dismiss the whole matter. In say
Ing this much do not wish to be mis-
understood. No man is more heartily
in favor of the elevation Of my race
than am, but am not willing to lose
the substance In reaching after the
shadow, | think that there are
prominent positions which colored
men might be appointed to without en-
dangering party unanImity, and shall
do all in my power. under Mr.. Harri-
sons Administration, to aid in Sc
curing these places for our able and
worthy colored leaders. at the same
time taking care to do SO without any
purpose to stir up race feeling or him
der the efforts to be made by wise lead
ers in our behalf"