Evening star., 1899-03-31

and right is distorted and Interpreted as
arrogance and anarchy. DIR. Lee further
contend that the numerous attempts hhat
have been made during the last thirty
years to improve the moral, social and
economic condition of the negro have met
with failure He further adds: The
younger negro generation of the north Is
by no means up to the general standard OF
those negroes born prior to 1885, OF
course, the above allegation is the rankest
of rank assertions. The numerous gradua-
tions from colleges and business instftu-
tions and successful competitions IN exam
nations, civil and otherwise, by the ne
groes of today are eloquent refuIations OF
this base and unfounded charge
This is, indeed. critical period in the
history Of the negro race in America. The
apparent reconciliation of north and
south, east and west marks the hour when
he is to be weaned as a ward of the nation
and prepare himself for the battle of life
unaided and unattended His Ignorance Is
no longer to be condoned: his shiftlessnesS,
alleged and actual is no longer TO be for
given The hour has arrived to proclaim
himself a man.
To the pessimistic his future appears
dim. his horoscope dark and dreary But
was not the same true OF the Jew, when dl-
vested of territory. deprived of power and
denied a flag? Maltreated and maligned,
this once unfortunate race, by indomitahle
energy, unceasing vigilance, the acquisition
of knowledge and persistent toll, occupies
today a position in the worlds history that
should lend every announcement to the
negro in America and stimulate his strug-
gle for success. We cannot change our
compilations or texture of hair, but We can
at least increase our store of knowledge,
add to our meager possessions and subscribe
to all attributes of higher citizenship Our
weakest point appears TO he lack or un1tN.
Without this. wealth. and education will
avail but little. 1t is the keystone of our
arch of hope the foundation of our future
and the nucleus Of our power
Urges Closer Union.
Mr. Arthur Sim1nonds wss introduced by
Mr. Thompson as a man who was trusted
implicitly by President Mckinley. Mr. Sim
n,orlds was greeted with the Chautauqua
salute. When he got an opportunity to
speak he said he approved of the objects
Of the National Personal Liberty League
He remar rked that while there are some per-
sons in the south whe.deny the colored peo-
pie the rights guarante eed under the Consu-
tuition of the Unfed States there are some
among the Caucasian race who want to see
the colored people have all the privileges
they are entitled to-
He urged closer union among the coiored
people and said that they should initiate
the example of the Irish people and stand
by each other. The colored people must
agree better together, and as far as 1t can
be done negroes ought to patronize each
other.
Prof John r Layton was called upon to
sing solo. Mr.. Layton responded by sing
ing ITO Arms Ye Brave" In response to
an encore Mr.. Layton sang In Days of
DID,
Judicial Reformation.
1.-The Necessity for Judicial Reformation
formed the subject fthe remarks of Mr..
T. L. Jones, who, Mr.. Thompson said, rep
resented the grandeur of the late John NJ.
Langston. MIR. Jones said if there is one
thing we need in this land it is manliness
on the part of those who are intrusted
af tta Iav 10
clared that in the southland the courts are
in the possession of mobs- There must be
a reformation of the jury laws, and until
this is done the Constitution of the United
States will not be carried out. In the bfs-
trict Of Columbia the courts must be reno
vated There is distinction even in some of
the courts of the District of Columbia on
account of color.
Mr. Jones urged the continued agitation
of the subject until the United States shall
indeed be the land Of the free and the
home of the brave.
Compliment to Womanhood.
Prof. L. NJ. Hershaw spoke on afro
American Womanhood." THE negro wo-
man is today the most pathetic figure in
American life he said. I'm every move
ment she evinces a greater interest than
the men do. They predoninate in literary
societies and the church, and sometimes
not only take care Of the children, but not
irfrequentiy a husband, also. Woman is
the sublimest figure on the earth, for she
loves longer and stronger than any one
else" He commended the white race be-
cause 1T has been more nearly able than
any other to sink self for the common
good. -s, =;
Mr.. C. c. Curtis paid a glowing tribute
to Iowa and her statesmen. Mr.. L. A.
Wiles spoke on Personal Liberty" Mr.. E.
E. Cooper told How to Make Afro-Ameri-
can Journalism a Success" THE Tenth