The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-10-01
ThesTo pic Of IN Important Discourse
by Rev. D. s. Bentley, to
Afro-Americans.
The REPUBLICANS THE PARTY.
Responsible for the Citizenship Of the
colored Man-Where His Al
legiance Lies.

ed to by large audience, among which
We're many OF the campaign clubs Of
the city, Or. Bentley's topic. was "The
Duty Of Our Young Men as Citizens OF
This Country; the Present AdmlnIstra-
ton and the Part the Afro American Is
Playing"
After Offering some explanatory re-
marks. the doctor spoke in substance as
follows:
Owing to the iestlessness and political
( upheavals confronting our people at
a this time throughout the country, feel
called upon to speak to you to- night on
some phnses of national and racial In
terest. shall not attempt to make you
moan over the past, nor disparage the
future which lies before us. with Its un-
told blessings want to waken a deep
er interest and II possible instruct you
In the grand and noble principles of cit
izenship advocated by the illustrious
men and women of this country, who
have played their parts so nobly before
the foot-lights on the American stage of
activity. Such principles as have made
this nation great and given to 1t some
Of the grandest achievements recorded
In theEannals Of history.
1t is possible to be true citizen of a
great country without wealth, but not
without honor, manhood and integrity.
These grand and noble virtues should
enter into and control every phase of
American life. but 1t is not reasonable
to suppose that people who have en-
joyed so few years of freedom from the
shackles of slavery can reach a high
ideal citizenship In day. 1t has ia
ken time and labor to make other race
verities great and we will do well TO
follow In their wake.
Take courage, for while you may not
boast Of a crown representing the
wealth. honor and dignity OF nation
or having commanded an army that
fought and conquered some great en-
pire. you can exult in the fact OF hay-
Ing made greater progress In the race
OF life than other peoples OF the earth
with advantages far superior and
means more ample, The human family
Is In the mill that grinds to common
level and whatever may seem to OBJ
struct It's progress the work continues
slowly, but surely.
True citizenship is the result OF well
established schools OF high moral and
Intellectual training. Such system of
instruction satisfies home training, and
lays foundation for higher and broad
er spheres of usefulness
Thus young men are prepared to dis
charge the important obligations which
they owe. their fellow man, their coun
try and their God. Among the duties of
citizenship is the privilege of voting and
every vote should be cast with the sole
purpose of promoting the greatest pros
perity of home, and country. People
actuated by this principle viii not al
low n money consideration to control
their voting.
Persistent attempts have been made
to create dissatisfaction among the
colored population of the country by
misrepresenting the Intentions of the
/ Republican party touching the trea.-
ment OF the inhabitants OF the Philip
pines and Porto Rico on one hand, and
by deprecIating Its attitude toward the
American negro on the other Both the
history OF the party In the past and the
course of its action at the present time
expose the falsity of these charges.
Prior to the accession Of the Republic
can party to power race of 100000
souls had suffered the wrongs and
cruelties of human slavery, with no re-
+ dress either In the courts, In Congress.
or at the bar of public opinion. In all
the years from 1919. when the first car
go OF slaves was landed at jamestown,
Va, to 1856. when the Republican party
airy law found an impossible bar to
negro hopes and ambitions. But with
the birth OF that party marked
change occurred. Under the leadership
OF Republican President. supported by
Republican Congress. 1000 900 negroes
were emanclpated from slavery. invest
ed with citizenship and made an inte-
grail part Of this great republic, to
share In Its glories and opportunities.
bonded only by the Limitation OF ind-
viduaI capacity and worth. not until
then could, the Declaration OF Indepen.
dence be understood In Its best and
truest sense.
Through the agency Of Republican
management. sustained by philanthro
plsts millions OF dollars and competent
teachers consecrated their time, and
even gave their lives to the education
and elevation OF n race which bears up
on 1t the mark OF slavery. which cursed
suffering humanity for over two hun
dred years. And Notwithstanding we
are now able to own and control many
institutions of learning. Shall we leave
the party TINT has helped us thus far,
and that has given to this magnificent
country such degree of prosperity as
we enjoy to-day?
I regard two distinct civilizations In
this country: one had Its origin Mt
Jamestown and the other at Plymouth
Rock. The former displays It's power
today in thc,two Carollnas. Mississippi
and Louisiana. The civilization of
Plymouth Rock reflects brilliant
thought and Christian liberty and is
most healthful to all who come In con.
tact with 1t.
Now word about the present nd
min'htratlon, In great and
growing country like ours Il is