The state capital., 1891-11-07


faith to the Negro and the southern
people generally, has had no little in
fuence upon those who were fortunate
enough to be its actual recipients.
1t was upon the unsolicited appoint
ment of President Grant that the learn
gentleman Of whom we write, served in
1870 as member of the board of health
of the District of Columb bia. His services
as member of the board,
as chairman of it's committee on
ordinances and as its attorney, en-
braced period of seven years, during
which time he won an enviable place
in the esteem and confidence of his as
sociates, Doctors c. G. Cox, d. w. Bliss,
T. S. Verdi and Hon. John Marbury.
He left the board in 1877 with the kind
lest expressions of esteem and bene-
diction as expressed in formal engrossed
preamble and resolutions, as presented
to him by them to enter on the duties
of minister resident and consul general
to Hayti, being appointed by President
Hayes. In this capacity he served in
the most acceptable manner, winning
the approval of his own government and
the respect and friendly feeling of the
other.
1t was after he had been in Hayti two
years that he was made by his govern
ment ex-officio charge d affairs near the
government of San Domingo. By
his moderation and his polite behavior
generally he soon won the respect and
confidence of the Spanish speaking peo-
pie of the eastern end of the island Of
Hayti, and in his semi-annual visits
thereto, whether made by war vessels
of his own nation or otherwise, was al
ways received with demonstrations of
marked consideration. Having accom-
plished very considerable amount OF
business in the interest of American
citizens having dealings with the West
India governments mentioned aggre-
eating hundreds of thousands of dol
lars, extending the trade of his coun-
trymen and improving largely the COM
merce of these countries; esta bllshlng
upon the firmest basis the amicable re-
ciprocal relations of such countries
with his own; after serving thus through
l.
Gen. James A. Garfield, Chester A. Ar
thur and about six months under the
administration of President Cleveland,
upon whose election and prior to whose
Inauguration he had rendered his resig-
nation, he returned to his home in
Washington, d. c., to find himself in
demand as the attorney of one of the
thriftiest and largest business houses in
the world.
However, he did not get to fill this
position for on his return to New York
city he found that he had been elected
president of the Virginia Normal and
Collegiate institute, which position he
accepted upon the urgent solicitation
of the board of education of the state
of Virginia, and many distinguished
persons, white and colored, interested
in the education of the Negro of the
South. After serving in this capacity
for over two years, he resigned the po-
sition and Immediately thereafter, as
urged by the great body of the republic
ans of the Fourth Congressional dis
trict of Virginia, he consented to the
nomination for the Fifty-frst congress
and was elected thereto in November
of the same year, as shown by the con-
test resulting in his being seated in the
house of representatives September %,
1890 His friends predicted brilliant
career for him in congress-, and in this
they were not disappointed. AS an or
ator fearless, able and eloquent, culti-
vating in his utterances high order of
oratory, distinguished for it's logical,
incisive, and convincing qualities, as
we'll as its chaste and finished charac-
ter, he occupies high and conspicuous
place among the most distinguished
speakers and debaters of the present
times. Throughout our country his
voice has been heard, as his pen has
been employed, upon all those topics of
moral, educational, political, and gen
eral character, whose Importance, ne
cessity and dignity have rendered them
subjects of thought, opinion, and de-
eision, by popular consideration and
approval in our country within the past
half century. >. ...
AS a writer too, as well as an orator
his rank is an exalted and conspicuous
one. No brighter character of great
men of this country exists to-day than
John Mercer Langston, ''the Black
Premier"
Although the records of the judiciary
Of this country present some most dis
names, l feel that ] but
echo the sentiment of all when / say
that the name Of Langston would add
honor.
The New York Journalist in speak
ing of the Haytian mission, suggests
that the president appoint Fortune to
China and Ex-senator Blair to Hayti,
believing that this would be the easiest
way out of the dilemma. How would it
look to see Tim" Fortune doing the
nonors of this country in China? How
ever the Journalist partially counts the
,hickens before they hatch. Fortune
has no pipe line cinch" upon the ap-
pointment in any event, as there are 9th
er "Richmonds" in the field. The idea,
however, is not bad one and worthy
Of consideration. It is not the mission
TO Havti so much that the race is con-