The American guide., 1896-05-09
Ex- SLkV IS.
Candid Expressions by one of the Leading
Negro Journals of the Country

Candid Expressions by one of the Leading
Negro Journals of the Country
The indianapolis Freeman, the oldest
and perhaps the most influential Negro
Journal in the United States, in speak
ing of the excitement growing out Of
the agitation OF the question of pen
sioning ex-slaves, says:
In an editorial of February 80, The
Freeman said: 1t is mere demagogism
on the part of those who are claiming
to farther measures TO pension the eX-
slaves. Negroes should not be deceived
by such clap-trappism There is no
disposition nor intention on the part of
any body to pension the ex-slaves.
Such fiction is likely to prove damaging
in the extreme, by arouslng a feeling
of expectancy when there is no hope
Negro newspapers do q great wrong in
trying to toady to the Negroes pas
sious in this matter Newspapers are
to lead, not to befuddle. There are
other schemes Of more Importance than
trying to loot the United States treas
ury. What government could ade-
quately pension slaves Of so many
years? 1t should be understood for all
time that these questions are meant to
ride somebody into power. The meas
ure is impracticablc, unprecedented,
and absurd. 1t should be dismissed
Honesty of sentiment is required where
millions are likely to be hoodwinked.
The subject is a mischief breeder The
luth has claimed pay for property lost
in cx-slavcs and with some little rca-
son: for their money was in them
whether right or wrong. 1t is more
than likely that this question will he
revived. Make haste slowly"
Notwithstanding the attempt of The
Freeman to show up the movement in
its proper light, a convention met re
Gently at Little Rock, Ark, for the sole
purpose of furthcring the cause. THE
AMERICAN GUIDE, Of that city, after
canvassing the situation shows that the
possible mischief is not merely pcssi-
| hlc. but fact. TuE AMERICAN GUIDE
deserves praise in its activity in putting
4 quietus on the whole affair. But The
/ Freeman certainly claims the distinc-
tion Of speaking first, promptly and IN
pronounced terms concerning it. With
mazcment will be read the widespread
evil that the -mcrest agitation has
brought about The Freeman is in
dcbted to the GUIDE for these opinions
and observations
After giving the GUIDE credit for its
efforts to suppress what would soon
eliminate in II gigantic mischief
breeder and fraud, The Freeman takes
TO itself the credit OF being the first
Negro journal to come forward and de
nounce the scheme as bare-faced
fraud. The GUIDE comedies this honor
to The Freeman, but this paper claims
to be oac among many TO voice Y sen
4, Ak --nf. Thr tr- aLai.an >u
pressing this as well as other Schems
that have tendency to deceive and be
fuddle our old mothers and fathers
The Frceman's words Of warning wer'
well-timed and II needed the agitation
would have ceased before it began, ant
there would have been no disappoint
mcnts. The Freeman further said'
"Thcsc and many more opinions ant
observations are expressed in the
Gripr. 1t is only fair to assume tha'
Negroes will soon be wrought up over
the entire country unless there is t
| sneedv effort To countcract the move
mcnt.