The Washington bee., 1897-12-25
MR.. NEWSOM'S TRIBUTE
TO THE LATE JOHN NJ. LANGSToN.
A SIGNIFICANT REMARK.

About six weeks before his death
while sitting in his office, ct Lang
Ston'S Law and Forensic Institute on
ID street, Mr.. Langston made remark
to me which | on recalled after his
death, that seemed to indicate that he
must nave had some premonition of his
death, though he was at that time in
the pest OF spirits, and in his usual
nealtn' lor man of his years. Said he
to me; L have done a great deal for
the colored race during my life, and |
F, certainly think that ought TO get to
heaven, II don't don't, know whether
they nave at all times thanked me for
what have done but | have done it.
But, sir, shall not be able to do very
much more"
did not have the opportunity DUR
ing MIR. Langston's life to know him as
intimately as some others, but the i'm
preston gained of him from our linn
iteo ASSOCIATION as a man and a gentle
man Ian was one which the lapse of years
Will never erase from my memory.
Ihree Things stood out pre-eminent-
ly In Mr.. Langston's character and
readily impressed themselves upon
all with whom he came in contact.
hey were, first, his intense American
ism; second. his absolute fearlessness
when ENLISTED in cause of right; third,
MS dlctinctlve individuality. These
three traits OF character had more to
DO with molding his enviable reputa.
tion as citizen, leader, and a gen.
tleman than anything else.
AS citizen MIR. Langston was proud
OF his country, being always ready tc
defend her reputation and her institu
tons, condemning that which he
thought was wrong but still Jealous Of
her honor. But it was, perhaps, as a
leader that he was most to be admired
In dealing with men Mr.. Langstor
looked far beneath the skin discover
the material of which men are made
III ne had mission to perform a white
face did not daunt him any more thar
did a colored one. All were alike te
him.
AS an individual Mr. Langston wa:
very proud of himself and gave grea
estimate to his own actions and opin
ions. And why should he not, for h,
was nearly always right? For this lat
ter trait Nr. Langston has been dubbed
an egotist by some of smaller calibr,
than himself. But this is explained b,
his strong self-pride of which he hai
an endless stock.
MIR. Langston was truly a great man
great in thought, great in action, grea
In all that goes to make the name O
man immortal. He was remarkabl,
successful man. His proWess and in
tiuence may be likened unto a grea
stream as 1t sweeps along in its IRE
slstlble course to the sea feeding, nour
lshing, vivifying and refreshing every
thing 1t touches. One might as wei
attempt to stay the waters of Niagar;
with magicians wand as attempt tt
stay the the current of such a stream
He might succeed in arresting O
changing its course by dyking it here
levying If there, and damning it il
another place, but surely, and ere long
you will find it overcoming and over
leaping all Inpediments and flown.
on full and free In its resistless path t.
the ocean
And the little fellows who rise VI
here and there to taint the memory Q
such man are but driftwood upon tn
bosom of this mighty current, which i
carried on and on until it is emptie,
into the immense gulf below. Sue
was the life and prowess of Iohn NJ
LangSton, till
Like some grand river, wild ming tc
wards the sea,
He calmly and grandly Joined etel
nifty"