The state capital., 1891-12-26
The State Capital.
PUBLISHED RY
The STATE CAPITAL Publishing 90.
.. B. .,TURNER.
MANAGER.
Entered at the Postoffice in Springfield
Illinois. as Second Glass Matter.
The state Capital And
The Cleveland, O.,
Gazette.

We reproduce the following ed
itorial from the Cleveland, o., Ga
zette, for the purpose Of showing
the eutter unfairness and inconsistent
cy Of some of our Afro American
journals:
'FOR The BENEFIT of Editor Turner,
Of the Springfield, (Ill.) State Capital, we
desire to say there is big difference be-
tween being a leader Of portion of a
class Of people in Mississippi and being
a leader Of the whole class distributed
throughout the United States. Lynch
and Bruce may be successes as leaders in
Mississippi, but it is notorious fact that
both are failures as leaders of all our peo-
pie in this country They haven't the
breadth Of mind, nor the ability, nor the
self-sacrificing disposition to be such lea
ders. We do not grant either, that they
are such local (state) leaders as the loyal
Afro-Americans in Mississippi would de-
light in praising Neither of the men
place race interests above self or party
interests in either state or national af-
fairs
We entertain the highest respect
for the able editor Of the Gazette,
but must say, that it is just such ex-
travagant and ill-timed arguments
which hinder the progress Of, and
give our friends and enemies (white)
substantial reasons for antagonizing
us as q race.
The editor says, "there is a big
difference between being a leader
Of portion Of a class Of people in
Mississippi and being leader Of a
whole class distributed throughout
the United States" Let US see. By
the census Of 1880, the colored popu-
lation Of Mississippi, was $50, O,29l: q
pretty good showing. The colored
population given in the same cen
sus for the states ofOhio, New York,
Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania and
Michigan, combined, was 66l 1866,
or Ii, 81 more than the colored pop
ulation Of the State Of Mississippi.
Now what do these figures show, if
they show anything? They show
that these two distinguished Afro
Americans who, coming from the
very lowest strata Of race conditions
nave, by honesty, perse 7erance and
integrity, reached place il the
hearts and minds Of unprejudiced
American citizens, which entitle
them to what they have already re-
celved; honorable recognition.
"a hn
IS to-day recognized as one Of, if not
the leading statesman Of the age,
halls from the Safe Of Maine, whose
white population according to the
census Of 1880, was 646,852, or Is,
ia less than the colored population
Of Mississippi. Why IS his (Blaine's)
name the SYNONYM Of strength? a
name which commands the highest
praise and produces the greatest
enthusiasm? 1t is because Of his
worthy popularity, which extends
beyond the confines Of "The Pine
Tree State;" a popularity gained
by years Of public service, indomit-
able will and matchless power.
Before, OF about the time the Editor
Of the Gazette saw the light Of day,
Mr. Lynch was filling with ability
and dignity the position Of Speaker
Of the House Of Representatives Of
Mississippi, and Mr.. Bruce was the
first officer in authority (SheriffO Of
his county.
Four years ago, the CAPITAL in
alluding to Mr.. Lynch, said he was
typical Republican and had con
trlbuted more toward keeping alive
the principles Of Republicanism in
the South, than any living Republi
can, white OF colored." We pro
claim the same to-day, and justly
and fairly associate the name o.
Mr.. Bruce with his. The voices o.
these two eminent Afro-Americans
have been heard on the stump II
more than one State in the Union
From the rostrum, they have advo
Gated correct moral and economic
principles. In social circles. theil
lives have been above suspicion, anC
around the freside, they have made
home cheerful. They are compe
tent leaders, whose public and pr
vate lives are worthy Of emulation
Let our young men initiate their eS
amples. and they will live respecte'
and die regretted.
The Wayne County Press say