The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-08-28
THE RESOLUTION DEFEATED.
Ii Was an Endorsement of President
NckinIey's administration

At the evening session OF the National
Afro-American Press Association a resolu-
ton indorsing the present administration
was defeated. There has been a weil-de-
fined rumor current thar an attempt would
be made by the Democrats to capture the
convention of the Afro-American Counch,
which begins its session in the Senate
chamber at the StatehouSe to-day.
1t was said by some of those who are
members Of the association that the clause
indorsing the administration of Mckinley
was merely a ruse TO draw the enemy out
into the open. If it was a ruse 1T was sue
c~essful, for William Lewis. editor of the
Louisville Freeman and chairman of the
committee on resolutions. had scarcely fin
ished the resolutions before half a dozen
members of the association were on their
feet asking for recognition from the chair
main. The chair finally recognized Jesse
l.. Lawson. of Washington. Mr.. Lawson
said he was violently opposed to the IN
dorsement of any party.
Il do not see,' said he, how we as an
association can consistently 1ndOrSe THIS
administration We might do so individual
~, but we cannot as a body. What right
have | TO pledge the Endorsement OF my
neighbor and what right has he to pledge
my Endorsement? The object of the assoc
citation is the betterment, the advancement
of the colored race. We cannot hope
10 do this by utilization with any political
party" Mr.. Lawson was followed by 9TH
ers, some of whom were in favor of adopt
ing the resolutions as they had been read
and others who were strenuous in oppos-
ing them. A motion TO strike out the
clause referring to the administration was
finally carried by one vote. 1t is said that
the Observation-Disclosures feel that they
have gained the first blood and that they
intend TO make a thorough canvass of their
Of rnnC rh and IL fhay find fhaf thew are
strong enough will introduce a resolution
irdorsing the candidacy of Bryan. The
regular programme of last nights session
began with a selection from the Freeman
quartet. After a number of letters from
absent members had been read by the sec
rotary, the president of the association,
cyrus Field Adams, editor of the Appeal,
Chicago. read a paper on 'Some Pioneers
OF Journalism"
THE NATIONS STRONGHOLD.
President Adams said that the ability and
fitness of the press is the measure of a
oountry's progress and it's power. 1.-The
press can create and can Destroy said he,
but IL is a nations stronghold and de-
Tense" After paying a warm tribute to
the pioneers of Afro-Ameriean Journalism.
among whom he mentioned Bell, Smith,
Cornish, Douglass, Ward, Allen and others,
Mr.. Adams concluded by saying: 1--WE
should revere the memory of this noble
band of men, who sacrificed themselves
upon the editorial altar for the race. The
were poor in pocket, but noble in spirit.
Their time, their talents, their money, were
freely given that we who live to-day might
enjoy the fruits of their labors, for il is
scarcely probable that they hoped TO see
direct results of their work. Yet some of
them lived to see emancipation and en-
reimbursement And we who live to-day
thirty-five years afterwards-see the Afro
American making progress along lines
wholly unlocked for, unthought of in the
dark days before the war. Grand men,
great men, were those pioneers of the Afro
American journalism. Their work was well
done and they have passed away, and, al
though We cannot pierce the veil nor catch
the glitter of their sail, yet may we hope
that somewhere they are pressing on to
victory"
The paper of Mrs. Lillian Thomas Fox. of
the indianapolis News, on Women in
Journalism was warmly applauded. mo
human device" said Mrs. Fox, 'holds n
more exalted place in mankind's regard
than does the pen. The words written by
Martin Luther in a chamber in the Wart-
his protest against the Roman faith. when
meditating upon the subtle power which
had ~quickened his words of praise to God,
making them battle the designs Of his OPP
posers whom he had caused TO recognize
the billy of Gods words. L am
prompted TO echo. In view of the part that
woman has taken in connection with the
most worthy events that have marked this
and other epOchs of the worlds history
prompts me to say that the pen has been
most efficiently yielded by women"
At the close of the meeting Bishop Wal
tiers, who had come late to the meeting,
was called upon by the president for a few
remarks. The bishop referred to the great
power exerted by the press and said tha
the press in conjunction with the pulpit and
the schools was the greatest agency i'm life
for the uplift of any people. The bishop
said this was especially true with the col.
ored people. The race will make more
rapid advancement. said he, when il reads
more and thinks more.