The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-02-22
HON. JOHN M. LANGSTON,
Tho Famous Afro-Amcrican Orl-
tor, arrives in the City.
TALKS TO An ,INTELLIGENCER MAN
On Variety of Interesting Topics OF
Timely Charactcr...IIis Address
to-day on American citizenship.
Tho Political outlools--.Tho Hope of
tho Black Race.

Congress, arrived in tho city yesterday
forenoon from Washington, D. G., and
will, as has already been announced, de-
liver an address in the G. A. Il. hall
this evening appropriate to Washing
toms birthday. Mr.. Langston is at the
Hotel Van kcuren, where yesterday
afternoon reporter called on him and
enjoyed very interesting chat. IA IN
orator Mr.. Langston has won very
high fame; indeed there are few in
either race who measure up with him
US thinker and public speaker, for
logic or eloqucnCo. In conversation he
has the same winning methods, the
same directness and force oil thought,
: US on tho platform. Ho 10 rather
slender man OF average height, with n
thin intellectual face, bright black eyes,
and but the beginning OF the sigma OF
ago in the black locks, a little sparse on
the top OF the finely shaped head, and
little more pronounced sprinliling OF
gray in tho full beard he wears.
In speaking OF his illness, and con-
sequent inability to be here on
last Thanksgiving day, as had been an
nounccd, Mr.. Langston added that he
still suffered from tho effects OF tho in
jury which his health sustained in the
Ohio campaign, supplemented by Sc
we're experience with bad weather and
trying journeys in New York and New
England. He expressed 4 view which
many prominent public speakers share
that it might be TO the advantage OF tho
country generally and certainly would be
to thatoi tho candidates and stumpcrs,i il
the campaign season was changed into
midsummer. Candidates and orators
ruin their health jumping from one end
OF State to the other, making outdoor
speeches in damp and chilly weather.
riding in carriages over bad roads, and
undergoing all the forms OF torture
which are entailed by the American
system OF political campaigning, in tho
average autumn weather OF the main
portion OF the country almost AZ severe
as the ordinary military campaign.
MIR. Langs:on ia perhaps the most
thoroughly posted man in he country
to-day on those steps OF history which
have affected for bad or good the race OF
which he is SO distinguished member.
His address tonight, while it may safely
be relied on rs an effort worthy OF any
body's attention for its polished clo-
quence, will also, judging by the brief
outline he gave q reporter OF his train
OF thought, be instructive and contain
much that is new to many OF those who
are well posted on general history.
Our Nationality knows no Complex
ion," is his theme, and no brings as au-
thorities in his demonstration all tho
fathers OF the government, and such
later ones rs Andrew jackson.
The subject and the trea ment are emf
nently appropriate for he observance
OF the anniversary OF tho natal day OF
the father OF his country.
Speaking of the prejudice still exist
ing against the colored race, Mr.. Lang
ston said there was but ono hope to
wipe it out, and that was the co-educa-
ton OF the two races. He attended
college with white boys, and no has
their friendship to-day just Us if there
was no race difference. When tho
children meet in schools at younger
age, the result will be still more COM
p!ete and prompt. Mr.. Langston and
other representative Afro-Americans
fought for mixed schools in the District
OF Columbia, and Charles Sumner was
the active champion OF the desired
change, but strangely enough the only
coiored man then in the U. s. senate
gave the decisive vote against the mixed
schools. To-day in Ohio the result OF
the mixed schools introduced few
years ago can be seen in tho regard OF
the races ior one another A change
for the better, Mr.. Langston says, is al
ready apparent to the naked eye.
MIR. Langston," the reporter said,
what is your idea Of tho Chinese ques-
tion?"
My sympathies are naturally against
the exclusion Of anybody. do not see
any just reason to exclude any man be-
cause OF his color or race. do not sec
why negro should be allowed to be-
come naturalized as an American citi-
zen and q Chinaman not. OF course
those negroes born in this country are
American citizens and the Chinese are
not, and We cannot make American
citizens OF them. That is perhaps a
good reason to exclude them. We have
grand country here, and We must pre-
serve il and our liberty, and to do that
am in favor, as are the leading patri-
otto thinkers OF the day, OF guarding tho
matter OF immigration jealousy. We
cannot be too careful whom We admit to
share our privileges and divide our
rights. think wo should bring to tho
solution oil the question frmnoss, q
great deal OF patriotism, and not little
humanity"
On the question OF the present politi-
cal situation Mr.. Langston talked with
great deal OF interest. He says no is
pulling together with Gen. Malone in
Virginia, although Malone has notbcen
personally his friend, because he thinks
patriotism requires OF every man what
ever sacrifice is necessary to carry Eir-
ginia Tor the Republicans this year, il
it be possible. He expressed the hope
!, that West Virginia also would Join the
Republican column this year, and OK
pressed the belief that Mr.. Elkins's in
tluencc would 60 far toward accomplish
ing that end He spoke highly OF
Secretary Elkins rs an able man and a
patriotic citizen, wishing there wero
more like him, Of whose aid and inhu-
cncc the President could take advant-
age.
"Who will be the Republican candi-
date for Vice President 2" he was asked
"$omc good eastern man who may
aid in carrying New York. Maybe it
will be Mr.. Morton again. What reason
is there for wanting to make ticket
without him p
"Would he accept the nomination p"
II believe ho could BIO induced to,
though think it would require per-