The southern argus., 1891-10-22
LARPH.
"A COSBY LETTER OF INTEREST
TO AFRO-AMERICANS.
Al TALK WITH LANGSTON REGARD
ING ABILITY OF THE HAYTIANS.
That Article of Frederick Douglass.-Was
itOpportune, or Was it Inopportune.
Clerks at Washington Kicking
Against Assessments.

Special to the ARGUS.
/ met Hon. John M. Langston last
week, and spent about an hour in
conversation with him. During that
conversation he gave me considerable
information regarding the Haytian
republic. Among other things, he
said, every Haytian is diplomat and
their ministers are as bralny set OF
men as one wishes to meet.
Somehow the opinion prevails in
this country that these turbulent
blacks of the Haytian republic are an
ignorant set and know little else be-
sides keeping the country in state OF
turmoil from year to year. The fact
that these blacks have maintained an
independent government, In spite OF
internal dissensions, for these long
years, is proof positive that they are
possessed of an unusual amount OF
brains, sagacity aud diplomacy. The
Haytian government, like the govern
ments in Central and South America,
is made up of fiery, intrepid people
who are prone TO war. This is true OF
all the natives of the warmer CHIMES.
However, though they have frequent
occasions to test their military genius,
they also have abundant opportunities
| for testing their civil proves, and i'll
10 instance on record have these dar-
| ING blacks been worsted in diplomat
ic affair. The black leaders of the
island republic are perfectly able to
cone with the best diplomats, and no
man of ordinary intelligence need
think himself capable of filling the
position of minister to that country,
from the United States, with degree
Of credit to this country. The Hay
tians are shrewd, sagacious, and per-
fectly informed on all points OF
national or international interest.
Warlike you may call them, but pity
IL is that some of the warlike spirit of
these independent blacks of the little
island republic does not course through
the veins of the blacks of this country.
We can turn 10 the people OF the
Haytian republic for a lesson of in
dependence with profit.
Hon. Frederick Douglass article to
the North American, in which he
gives the transactions of this govern
ment with regard TO the Mole St.
Nicholas, is an able article, no one will
gainsay it. Although it was expected,
vet its appearance was somewhat akin
to a surprise. At first compliments
were more profuse than condemna-
tons, but as time grows il dawns upon
the intelligent, thinking members of
the race and the citizens of this cOun-
trv that the article was uncalled for ;
that the article was beneath the man.
AS literary production, as an article
Of merit, losing sight of propriety, il
was an able one, but when we stop to
consider that this article was the result
Of newspaper attacks, and not of the
president or the state department, the
Improperly of it is as clear Is the
dawn of summers morn. Because
few newspapers dared criticise Mr.
Douglass he plays false to the trusts
imposed upon him and gives to the
world the actions of the government
in a diplomatic transaction. Ills
action in writing the article can be
comparisoned to an attorney giving
away all the facts and evidence Of his
client simply because he had with
drawn from the case. Mr. Douglass
is great man, he has accomplished
wonders for his race, and happily hi;
fame does not rest or depend upon this
article, for if it did, fame to him woulC
be but transient hope that had flown
an idol that had been demolished, g
light that had failed.
~
, Hon. A. D. Straker of Detroit
|
sion to belittle Prof. Peter Ii. Clark
/ would admonish the gentleman tina
he had best not speak i'll of this man
Mr.. Straker never did, and never will
render the service to his people of thi
country that Peter Clark has. Prof
Clark worked for his race long AM
: unselfishly, and that too when no
desiring reward in the shape of
} political office. Prof Clark belongs t,
the people for whom he worked, ant
is not mortgaged 10 any political party
Another fact. Prof. Clark is not il
} politics, then why attempt to belittl
5 him in the eyes of the people?
l 49,
II seems that the Director Genera
Of the Worlds Fair is trifle slow il
, appointing an Afro on tn
= board of managers. If we are to hav
+ representative it is high time that b
| be appointed that he may proceed a
once towards formulating plans t
e secure a good colored exhibit. TO d
g this will require hard and industriou
labor from now on. Our exhibit mus
be up among the first, it must be
good indication of our progress, an
> to make it so, director should be ap
1 pointed without delay.
4 80
t There has been considerable kickin
! among the clerks of the several dc
!. partments at Washington, and espt
] cially, we understand, among Afro
] Americans, because of the assessment
|. made for campaign expenses this fal
These political patriots expect
e derive all the pecuniary benefits az
y cruing in politics, but expect the me
I, who witness their glory TO stand til
expense. To carry on a campaigI
? the men who reap the pecuniary benfi
n should be the ones to respond mo
i freely, and that too with alacrit.
u Every clerk, or officer in any depar
4 ment, who opposes an assessment