The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-12-18
A FEATURE OF THE BIG FAIR
The Relation of the Colored People 10
the Great Column ian Exposition.
Alternate Commissioner Parker Urges that 10
Is On Imperative Duty TO Send Exhibits
and Participate in the Display.

sens interested in the promotion of Ameri.
can enterprises, the colored people, from
the very inception of the worlds fair. have
manifested a wholesome interest in the de-
velopment of this great enterprise and have
been in sympathy with all the means Of
its promotion. Neither aliens nor
but American citizens. they have simply
been actuated by the universal motive of
mankind 20 gather together the most
wonderful productions of human skill and
ingenuity. the results Of the evolution and
progress of ages"
1 take this public method Of replying to
q great many communications addressed
to me by representatives of industrial as
sociatIons and OF private enterprises. maxi
ing inquiry as to what provision has been
made for the installation of exhibits by
the colored people; whether it would be-
possible TO have the exhibits of such asso-
intact to jackson Park-and many other
inquiries-su importing the assumption
that my appointment included special au-
thority to officially answer these inquiries,
and to look after such exhibits. 1 may
add that these communications not alone
bear testimony TO the fact of interest in the
international enterprise. but also that
their genius had evolved something
worthy OF the age and CLINE in which they,
the scope of my authority, Of course.
they are mistaken, my actual stains being
that Of alternate commissioner at large.
This 10 now pretty generally understood. l
believe, as Is also the fact that no special
representation had been given TO the
colored people in connection with the fair.
and that their exhibits. IN many instances.
would have to be submitted TO the judg-
mert of their enemies IN States of the
lInton mot Iikalv tn COnrt 0r QnConra0Q f0a
social equality" Of exhibits and the COM
mercial brotherhood of their producers.
This has operated to ALLEVIATE their early
interest. and to cause them to assume q
terests and the interests Of the commu-
nifty. For no invention or production or
approved utility can be clrcumscribed or
degraded without a reflex influence on b
community.
One correspondent says: 81 have with
drawn any and all intention to have any
thing to 10 with the unclean thing and
shall advise my friends TO remain away
judicious method of redressing or reform
ing q wrong, nor of enforcing O right Such
o position Is by no means tenable, either
on the ground of private advantage or
no manner or degree redresses the wrong,
IL Is q clear case OF a desertlon OF the held
in the hour of actual engagement. In which
public and private interests are ruthlessly
sacrificed.
DON'T sULK.
The cause of liberty and humanity was
never promoted by "sulking.n The "stay-
at-homes are like soldiers who tarry in
the rear while their fighting comrades are
being whipped at the 'front.' In face Of
this great opportunity nothing short OF
prohibition from the grounds could
operate as O valid reason for not exhibit
ing. In an hour like this. when the great
forces and agencies which have unfolded
the life of the world are to be exposed TO
modern thought, to advise contempt OF the
these forces will certainly DO construed to
the dIsparagement of the oolored people.
IL it can be shown that either public or
private interest, or both. would be con-
served by this stay-at-home policy, the
friends of freedom and equality will only
be too glad to clutch this new weapon IN
their warfare against this modern heathen-
ism of human prejudice. The most eff
fective weapon in the present emer-
gency is partIcl patton, rewarded by the
moral and commercial remuneration of the
enterprise. Think of the vastness OF the
opportunity. and the results that must how
from Its improvements The formulated
wisdom of nations assures rs that the
worlds fair will be no stage play. The
American people are too eminently prac-
tical for that. Evcry department. OF
LnOu&QI. Oh uuuudn Cn0tatOEs VII =
ceive a new impulse in the blaze of such
wonderful evolutions. In view OF the moral
and commercial value OF the exposition,
who can afford to say. II am perfect. aud
have need of nothingi" No man has a
right to stay 81 home and enslave his
genius. The effect of the exposition will
be to enlarge and hberslize the mind. and
1t Is o duty every man owes 10 himself
and to the community 90 aid In making
this effect as far-reaohing as possible.
The most common form OF defense IS, Il
am not going where ! am not wanted" Or
all the forms Of pernicious policy. this one
Is most responsible for prescription on &C
count OF color and servitude. In IL turks
the poisonous germ of an engrossine socia-
billty which is allowed 10 tresDass upon
the domain OF education. the domain oil re-
ligion, the domain of business. and TO swal-
low up the serious duty and necessity or
the hour. Standing behind this shIbbo-
leth many men move forward or back ward
at the bidding of a smile or q frown. Man.
hood dances TO the caprice OF the weather.
cook. and colonization. by choice. 10 tho
logical result.
GUARD AGAINST
The dangerous mistake of sacrificing
q opportunities for Advancement on
tar of q mistaken race pride" in the
attempt to build up q race history
to work out q separate and distinct
destiny in this democratic country must
be defeated in the common interest. There
10 nothing more incompatible with the
manifest destiny of the Republic. IL IS q
resistance to the logical current OF our his
tory and to the noble efforts oonsecrated TO
the cause OF freedom and humanity by the
bravest souls of the century.
But the genius of q better civilization 10
rapidly overcoming this resistance aud tho
resulting friction. Voluntary colonization
education, voluntary colonization religion
and voluntary colonization business lie all
about us--mere wrecks of false hopes and q
mistaken poiicy-"milestones telling how
far yesterdays thought had travelled" One
in thought. one in bistory-ono sovereignty,
one destlny-we ore n national unit har-
messed TO the national forces, the national
enterprises.
Selfish interests play a large part in the
| deveIopement OF our CIVILIZATION. The
| commercial value OF every venture should
never be ignored. The products of energy
and ingenuity would rust and rot at the
feet of the producer II no market were
sought for their No man
who values his own business can afford 10
let this opportunity escape him.
The ''Colored Merchant Is getting to be
a numerous article and 10 lavlsbly applied
to any citizen of color engaged in any
pursuit. Tried by the ordinary tests OF a
legitimate commercial business he becomes
merchants; inst as "our coiored leaders
when tried by the tests OF
leadership dwindle 10 O few who
can be called leaders of men.
And this is the contamination We insist
on. No man IS great. unless great when
associated with great men. Ont of this
rises the imperative duty Of all men 20 be-