Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-10-18
SATURDAY. OCTOBER IL. 1890
The Hero of the Hour.

Professor LASGsToS evidently consider
ed himself and was certainly regarded
by the negro public as the great man
OF the Emancipation celebration here.
Had the Rev. JONI JAsPER been IN
good health and strength and been
given a prominent part IN the pro-
gramme of exercises possibly he might
have divided honors with the Republi-
con leader, but the decrepitude Of age,
which falls alike upon great and small,
white and black, quelled this formida-
BILE rival
The Professor was in great glory.
Whether riding in hack, condescend-
incly acknowledging the cheers of the
multitude or pacing the platform de-
elaring that this Is not white mans
country. he was the same consequential,
self satisfied, and bombastic individual,
and every movement and utterance
proclaimed his leadership. Well, there
is no one to dispute it, If LANG
sroN is not the leader of the Republican
party III Virginia, who is ? Is 1t General
MAHoNE? Certainly not MALONE
measured popularity with LASasToS be-
fore the Republican House OF Repre-
sentatiyes and LANGsToS won won and
got Mr.. yESABLR's seat, drew seven OF
eight thousand dollars OF Government
money. was .fcted and serensded, talked
pi spilling hogsheads OF blood, eulo-
rized Mr.. HUME, was commended and
endorsed by President HARRISON. and
came home and called his own conven-
ton and nominated himself for "re-
election to Congress.
During all this time his pathway was
strewn with victory. lie came from Peters
burg to Richmond like conquering
hero. Applause followed his footsteps.
Brethren and sisters humoly sought the
honor of an introduction to him, and
all looked upon him as the leader OF
their race and party.
We shall hear very little more OF "the
little General in this campaign. Presi-
dent HARRISON and the Republican
House of Representatives have de-
throned him to make way for the Pro-
fessor.
Itist 10 be hoped that Leader LANG
sroS will not be revengeful. If SO, he
Is apt to bestow kick upon the white
Federal office-holders of Richmond. Not
the first man of them went to the Expo
eition.Grounds on Thursday to hear the
sable orator speak. The only whites IN
that crowd Of 10000 or $4,000 were
two reporters and two teachers OF col
ored youth. Now can it be supposed
that the Professor will overlook this
slight; this failure of Federal officials to
acknowledge his leadership and honor
his presence? No indeed. The weight
Of his displeasure will fall upon them.
Watch and see.
We observe that the Professor (who Is
p negro professor as well as PROBES
sional negrol said:
at used to DO said that this is a white
mans country he was here to tell them
ii is black mans country as well
"It used to be said that this white
mans government; he was here to tell
them it was black mans government
as well.
1.-THE wars Of this country used to be
those of the white people, but there
could never be another in which the
negro would not figure as an American
soldier.
This eminent statesman then proudly
proceeded to claim that he is OF mixeo
blood. "Starting in the kitchen it wal
doing well to reach the parlor. Being
born in negro-quarters, it was msgniii
cent TO enter the hall of the House o
Representatives If Democrats Their
from New York, or elsewhere, shoul'
tauut him with being colored, he woul'
remind them that he was their equs
now"
Think of that-LASosroS the equal 0
the best Democrats of the Empire State
He further declared that there is /" n
distinction between white and colore
young men, aud in bis opinion 1t
tina for the two "to go cheek by iov
aud make this country the grandest OF
earth"
The Professor and some of the othe
speakers seemed TO think that the negr
soldier was great factor in the war {
1916. The fact is the Union arm
from first TO last had 1850, 1872 me
from three years to three months tim'
Of which only lS6, OF were colored.
But we do not wish TO disparage II
valor aud consequence OF the colore
people, and We are glad they have 81
ioyed their emancipation ceremonie
and we can but praise them for the goo
order observed.
What we started out TO remark is III
inasmuch as they constitute the gre
- mass Of the Republican party in Vi
ginia. il was perfectly natural for such
man as President HARRISON to recogni
and designate Professor LASosroN
their leader. This was the logic of Il
contest of LASesroS os. YENABLE tn
Is the logic that Gusts the little Gener
from political eminence. and the log
that will bring back to our party all {
the white men who prefer Democrat
leadership to LASosroS leadership.
Now the question is, "Is there lie
race pride among white Republics
than among colored Republican,