The sun., 1895-05-10
The Censor of Colorcd journalism.

The Censor of Colorcd journalism.
| A reminsccnce of the CLEVELAND Admin
istration which will be cherished by Dem o.
Gratis hereafter, and will perhaps outweigh
in some minds it's other deficiencies, is the
cordial defence which Mr.. CLEVELAND has
made of the high standard of Afro Ameri-
can journalism in the CHASE case. CALVIN
| CHASE was the colored editor Of journal
| generally diffused among the reading COL
ored inhabitants of the city of WASH
| ington, and called the Bee. In the
performance of his professional labors,
he criticised with q vehemence rather
African and barbaric than American
and polite, the disqunlifcations and per-
formances Of one G. II. Il. TAYLOR, de-
scribed as IA colored Democrat" but moro
accurately perhaps rs the colored Democrat,
of Kansas. TAYLOR was appointed to the
office of Recorder Of Deeds by Mr.. CLEvE-
LAND, whose partiality for political misfts
has been marked; and thereafter CHASE con-
secrated his powers to the task Of reviling,
abusing, traducing, nssailing and berating
the CLEVELAND favorite from Kansas
The ground Of Mr.. CHAsE's opposition Is
not universally known. He may have de-
scribed TAYLOR as a colored Cuckoo. He
may have animadverted upon the fact that
a Democrat from Kansas would have better
represented the Democracy Of that State.
He may have referred to TAYLOR as being as
much Of a Populist as Mr.. CLEVELAND; or
he may have criticised the selection of nom
residents for public offices which could be
as well filled by residents of Washington.
Now Mr.. CLEVELAND declares in bulletin
dated Mt the Executive Mansion, May g."
that CHASE used the columns of the Bee "as
dirty weapon to satisfy personal rage and
revenge" This reprehensble proceeding
brought colo-ed journalism in the United
States into disrepute, so that when Mr.
CLEVELAND was requested to exercise the
forbearance Of Executive clemency toward
CHASE, he refused emphatcally. denouncing
the imprisoned man asa convict accus-
ing him of "a most detestable crime" and
avowing, in his solicitude for colored news
papers, determination to protect decent
journalism and the peace of society from the
invidious attacks of sinister colored editors.
The circumstance that CHAsE's dctesta-
BILE crime was perpetrated against one OF Mr..
CLEvELAND's favorites, and thus indirectly
against the wisdom and sagacity of Mr..
CLEVELAND In selecting him, may in some
minds account for his ardor in refusing
clemency to the offender. But higher mo-
tive, loftier purpose, a noblcr impulse may
have actuated Mr.. CLEVELAND. The eleva-
tion Of the standard of colored journalism Is
one of the obligations of American Democ-
racy and Of its representatives in Office. II
the CLEVELAND Administration has been
remiss in respect Of various pledges, solemn
ly made; in defending American honor
abroad or in sustaining American interests
at home, there is at least this consolation for
Democrats that the Administration has not
been unfaithful to it's obligations to col
ored journalism; and that for some time to
come at least, CALVIN CHASE, the CATILINE
of the colored press so to speak will be pre-
vented from using the agency of Afro
American journalism as "a dirty weapon to
satisfy his personal rage and revenge" Tho
honor and credit of exalted colored journal
ism, and the peace Of society, will not be I'M
perilled by any encouragement for CHASE.
The detestable wrong done to the colored
Democrat of Kansas whom Mr.. CLEvE-
LAND loved and preferred, must re-
ceive full and fitting atonement; and
however careless he may be in some other
colored journalism of the United States will |
never lack steadfast and stalwart defender
while Mr.. CLEVELAND is President and
CHASE is in custody. 1t is perhaps depora-
BILE that n similar vigilance has not been
shown in other matters, but the foes of so
ciety may as we'll understand that they can
not with impunity lay II lawless hand upon
the characters of Mr. CLEvELAND's coored |
officeholders, and criticise them without rea-
son.
This determination makes 1t doubly re-
grettable that the course of the CLEVELAND |
Administration and many of the official |
acts of its chief have been such that de- |
cent journals conducted by white men could |
not consistently approve them.
No attacks upon Mr. CLEvELAND's colored |
favorites No misuse of negro journalism! |