The southern argus., 1891-10-01
peter Clark has not come to them, he

sturdy woman, this wise old man, this
consistent member of the race whose
nrooress was so great that it dazed the
rest that he is one of the noblest men
in the ranks of the Afro Americans. He
can smile complacently now, and view
ing the past with all its embitterments,
all its trials, can say-at last they see,
their eyes are open.
It did me good to see them paying
tribute and honor to him, for even IN
those DAYS when others were denounc-
ing him, although / was too young to
fully comprehend his supposed sin,
could not help but feel kindly tor
wards him, and think. though unable
to explain, that he must be the one that
was sinned against and not the one sin
ming He bore the Sights, the jeers,
the curses patiently, for the mind that
could advance more than ten years
ahead of his race, could conceive that,
in time, they must come to him, and
that honor justly merited must sooner
or later be rewarded. Peter III. Clark
has won the fight, and lived to see the
good results.
Will the Blair educational bill be
made an issue in the approaching ma
tional campaign is a question that IN
terests every Afro-American. 10 Is not
necessary to particularize the provi-
sions of this bill here. Is the republic
can party disposed to stand by and es-
poused this bill, or will they leave it
severely alone and continue the discus
sion of everything else to its exclusion?
nf nnlnrnd rNnnnin de-
mand that it be incorporated In their
platform and that it be made an issue.
AS the colored voters comprise large
portion OF the republican party, that
party should accede to their wishes in
this case. Let this bill be made an is
sue. Let it's probable good effects, its
justice be fairly and fully presented
and in an earnest manner. The efforts
of some to keep this bill in the back
ground has been contemptible, and
the timid and weak support ac-
corded it by supposed friends
has been of very saffron hue. What
the race desires and demands is that
the bill be made square and open is
sue and that the republican party
champion it. A concerted action Is
probable among Afro-Americans look
ing to this end
The progressive members of the race
are not in favor of class legislation, but
this bill is so framed that the good re-
suits that will accrue will be a benefit
to the country at large. While it is di-
rectly in the interest of the black man,
it is also to very large extent in the
interest of the whites. Afro-Americans
throughout the country should get to-
gether and formulate some plan to urge
that it be made part of the republican
platform.
If for no other reason. we should agi-
tate it as an evidence of our grateful
ness to Ex-senator Blair in offering it,
and for his earnest and persistent eff
forts in it's behalf
The fact becomes more and more APP
paMnt each day that Virginia Afro
Americans are doing less talking and
more work in the line of progress than
any state in the union. You are con-
tinually hearing the boastings or the
complaints of other states, but old Vir-
ginia, that is the Afro-Americans, is
moving grandly and surely to the front
In New York and further east the
Negro population is not sufficiently
great to demand even consideration
politically, and the result is you are
constantly hearing complaints because
of lack of representation. In Pennsyl-
vania the black vote while consider
able, the power of the republican party
has been so overwhelming heretofore
L. &c accan4ia1 A.
cess Things are changing, however.
and the two parties are becoming more
evenly divided. In Ohio the colored
vote is the balance of power. but they
have not taken advantage of it. They
usually are very much dissatisfied prior
to election, but fall into line in time.
In this state heretofore politics has
been the all-absorbing topic. and all
else was subordinated to it. However
with the younger men, who are now in
the van, there is a disposition to LET
politics severely alone and turn their
attentions to business'pursuits com
mendable progress is noticed since the
prevailing of this sentiment
don't mean by this that they have
permitted themselves to become SO di
NOICGd tudb bhCy arc Va pOAAtA-
cal issues, for they are still wide awake,
and while not so actively engaged are
as we'll informed. and better, upon al
questions of political nature
In Virginia the attention of the race
to the Importance of business ideas
accumulation of wealth and mechanical
pursuits has become more than a senti
ment, it's practice. To-day, from ar
educational. business and financial
standpoint, the coIored people of Vir
ginia are far in advance of any state in
the union, and yet they are making les
noise.
The average Ohioan afro merican)
is somewhat perturbated over the fail
ure Of one of their citizens receiving
the appointment as minister TO Hayti
The apathy that had existed had beer
partially superseded by little activity
in anticipation that an Afro-Americar
from Ohio would receive this eovetoui
Mace