The Washington bee., 1897-04-24
OUR FREEDOM.
CONTINUED from page s.

population of Sc, 900 people of color.
1t is true we own upwards OF 10000, 900
dollars worth of real estate. Indeed,
we compose almost one-third of the
entire population of SOC, 900 people
and vet We have no representation OF
any importance in our District Gov
eminent
Every race has a representative in
our Government but the negro. l
mean representative places, not clerk
ships.
Recently a gold democrat, a bona
tide citizen of Washington, was ap-
pointed United States District Attor-
ney. 1t is but right and proper that he
should have been. What force put
him there? He is a political factor.
He is gentleman of honor and integ-
rity and we believe that President Nc
Kinley will keep him there. He should
be; because he will throw around
him purity and honesty which is neCeS-
sary in a prosecuting attorney.
The gold democrats made them
selves great political factors. he
negro has the voting strength, but he
has not the manhood to exercise 1t.
ZHE NEGRO IS IMPATIENT.
ElCSlOCul IDS OCCl All VI
hce one month and twelve days
to-day. Not long enough to know the
number of Offices that are at his dis
posal. Yet there seems to be a feel
ing of unrest among few colored
men. Be patient as | am confident
that the President will do as much, If
not more, for the negro than any
President since ex-President Harri-
THs-+o he
sham. have great faith in the PreSi-
dent and so have the American people,
who will yet see the wisdom OF his
election.
The negro will succeed against op-
position He will pass Civil Service
examinations and will be placed in po-
sitions, Notwithstanding the last demo-
cratic administration, or that portion,
known as the Bureau of Engraving
and Printing, with its present Chief.
All honor TO that great exponent OF
right and Justice, Hon. VIM. E. Chand-
ler. He has our cause in hand.
Khen we show our ability to do, we
know there is humanity enough among
the more liberal class of our white fell
low-citizens 10 aid us. | am one of
those who believe the white man is
friend TO the negro when he is a friend
to himself. He should aspire tor po--
sitions OF honor and trust when he is
capable and qualified TO meet all of
the requirements.
NO RESENTMENT NECESSARY.
Our debt of gratitude to those who
were instrumental in oui emancipation
should not be soon forgotten.
Whatever may have been the cause
of our emancipation, We should hold
In sacred remembrance the memory OF
Lincoln, Grant, Garrison, Wendell
Phillips and the immortal Douglass.
If our emancipation was by accident
give these men credit for causing such
an error. If our emancipation was an
error, We should conduct ourselves in
such manner that will cause no re-
gret.
The greatest American we have to-
day, the man who is the recognized
representative of our people is BlanCh
K. Bruce, true and loyal representa-
tive American citizen whose council
and advice are always sound as phi
losopher.
WHAT OUR EMANCIPATION MEANS.
Some American SkeptiCs believe
Recent developments do not prove
this belief so far as some OF us are
concerned. Our emancipation means
that some of US have SO developed into
citizenship that We are entitled TO oC-
cupy many stations In life. We should
not, as | have said before, aspire to
positions that we are not capable OF
filling Neither should a man aspire
of
If color, is not made basis of obleC-
tionS to him.
The negro'S emancipation has not
taken from him that prejudice, dis
cr1mination, and jealousy that exist
among the race to which he Is IdentI-
fed. He is more inclined TO draw the
line than that race which Is said to be
prejudiCed against him. Ii has been
but few days ago when a colored con-
gregation in the South called white
minister, because they were tired OF
black one If We set up these barriers
what can We expect from those who
permit US 10 remain where We are by
sufferance? If this is what our eman-
CIpation means the skeptiCS are correct
in their opinion and belief and our
emancipation is than an error.
shifting and vaCilIating attitude to-
wards one another; their lack of con-
fidenCe in their own enterprises and
their failure &c support them.
Some of our intelligent men not long
ago organized an association Tor the
purpose of compelling the white mer-
chants TO employ our Colored young
men and women in their stores. If
such d scheme had been instituted by
the more ignorant of our race, there
NAV have been some excuse for such
folly, but when supposed educated ne
groes inaugurate such a scheme, |
hardly think that there Is any excuse
for them.
How much easier would il have been
for these intelligent gentlemen, II they
were sincere and anxious 10 manifest
their appreciation for the race, to have
contributed one hundred dollars a
piece, built a large dry goods store
like some OF these we have in this city
and employed our girls and boys
Then the white man would have said
TO himself there IS competition; | must
reduce the price on my goods TO catch
the negro trade; must adopt scheme
TO draw the negro trade from that
great negro establishment. have it,