The southern argus., 1891-08-27
SEPARATE EXHIBIT.

SEPARATE EXHIBIT
A writer in the Indianapolis Freeman
writing from Washington, d. c., the
/ city which harbors more prejudice
against the race to the square inch than
any other city in the Union, takes ex-
ceptions to our advocacy of no sepa-
rate colored exhibit at the Worlds
fair
He claims that the race wants a sepa-
rate exhibit His claim is no doubt
made upon the assumption that prog
ress tends to separation. We differ,
and believe that progress tends to the
celebrating of all lines of distinction
because of color. Newspapers reflect
public opinion. This is as true of the
Afro-American press as of the white
press, and careful perusal of all the
Afro-American papers shows that the
Negro press, with very few exceptions.
are opposed to separate exhibit or de-
partment for Afro-Americans
What is to be gained by separate de-
partment for the race?
Nothing save perhaps the giving OF
employment to a few colored men and
women on the sole ground that they
are colored We are at all times for
the greatest good to the greatest num-
Der, and the history of the past shows
conclusively that as the lines of distinc-
ton become less marked, the progress
OF the race becomes more apparent 1t |
perhaps might be a novel sight to see /
the products of Afro Americans in arts.
science and the mechanical fields, col
ected together. 1t might, and no doubt
would reflect great credit upon the race
when the conditions surrounding were
considered.
1t would no doubt show wonderful
progress, but how much more wonder
III would be the progress shown were
he exhibits of the Afro Americans
'laced along side of the whites, and
judged from the same standard of ex-
eLence. 1t would show that we had :
ccomplished what we have contended
Or, viz: that we be given an equal
nance with the whites, that we be
laced upon the same level. that the
act OF our color be no disbarment to orr :
cceptance anywhere and at any time. :
ur Washington neighbor seems to
Lbor under the impression that if our
Shlblts are not separate, the fact that
ley are the products of Afro American
enius will be lost sight of This inn
'esslon is erroneous. Afro American
icellence, in any of the avenues of
te' has always bobbed up to the sur
ce and to the gaze of the public, even
ough 1t has not always received its
st credit anu reward, and if at the
orlds FAIR our products are placed
ongslde of the whites. no prescription
Ill hide the fact that they are the emf I
lions from Afro-American minds and |
results of Afro American labor. |
If race should be the last to attempt :
draw the lines of distinction. and
any place and at any time.
always be safely opposed by the
I'M oers OF the race, as in the line of
ogress. Because man happens to
ar the title of minister of the GOSPEL
40 assurance that his opinion is law.
we dare question any man who
es utterance or commits acts in di- |
L opposition to the races veal We
not belong to that limited few who
init the ministers to do both the bid -
g and thinking to the exclusion
all others. We contend that an es- m
isal OF separate department for col u
q exhibits will force the lines of dis
ctlon, which are obnoxious to everv
: mined Afro American who is unset
IIy interested in his races advance.
NJ We contend that separate de-
tment is in the line of retropression L,
noeprogression We have, for the
two months watched closely the
o-Amerlcan papers, and find that our r.
ltion is backed by the utterances Of va
press We have not perused one ar
: but all the Afro A merican papers. Ca
md that ninety per cent. of them
opposed to a separate department
coiored exhibits at the Worlds fair
procession has passed those sleepv
Van Wrinkles who favor separa-
: and they do not realize that pro-
s dictates that there be no separate
hit a.
On, Frederick Douglass was inter.
red at Washington the other dax
riding his resignation. ana r.
In no manner whateve, no
either the president or the
department ever intirnatad
that my resignation would be ac-
bic On the contrary. I received
the kindest treatment from both
lead OF the administration and the
rtment with which / was imrnc. b.
IY connected NV ~asfe,,a.;...- -.