The colored American., 1902-05-03

States, or a member of Congress, or to
place in the foreign service as minister
or CONSUL or Governor of his State or
member of the Legislature, judge of a
court, mayor of a city, president of a
borough, controller, alderman. or chief
of department? Do we not know that
men worth millions seek these places
that pay but the smallest pittance in sal
aries? Thousands OF dollars and it is
said that hundreds of thousands, are
spent TO insure the election of one mem
Der to the United States Senate. Tens
of thousands of dollars, contributed to
the campaign fund by men, hoping TO
get a high place at a foreign court,
where more money IS spent than the gov
ernment pays IN salary or contingent eX-
penSes. Why, think you, do they seek
these places? Certainly not for the sal
aries, but solely and alone to satisfy
an honorable ambition to serve the state
| in position of honor, not only honor to
| himself, but to his family and people
| The Jew to show the capacity of his
race to serve in the highest place. The
| Irish, the Germans, the Italians, the
| same, and shall we not be credited with
| this honorable ambition too? When one
| OF any race has served hOnorably and
well in public Office, the lifting force of
| his race is immeasurable. Shall we
alone be denied this great lifting force
| What race needs it more than ours
What race is more American and trust
worthy? To be singled out as the only
people not to be thus hOnored is really
to humble us, and sink us down in the
| face of all the world, and the harm done
so great. that only God in heaven can
measure it.
TRITF pIrRI II SPIRIT
Gustav Lindenthal, when it was ru-
mored that he might be selected as
bridge commissioner, was interviewed |
by the reporter of a daily paper, and |
among the several questions put to him |
was the following: Without arguing |
this question: said the reporter, Il |
would like to ask it of you and request |
a reply if you feel like making it. The |
question is, Mr.. Lindenthal, why should |
you, a man of eminence, and with no |
uncertainties of large income as an/engi- |
neer, be willing to become bridge COM
missioner with its limitations on your
time, and with its restrictions of your
gains to the salary which it carries ?"
That" said Mr.. Lindenthal, is per
Sonal, but friendly. and | will meet it in
the same spirit. | have not asked for
the appointment of bridge commissioner.
1t has not been promised me. No one
is bound to give it to me, and | am not
bound to take it. | can only say that
there is something more than money in
my profession. There is opportunity
for public service There is legitimate
prestige. There is a desire to make a /
record to entitle man TO public CON
hdenCe. There is a wish to help on the
interests of good government by good
public work There then you have the
whole answer of an honorable man and
an honorable people That is our an
swer.
LOOKING BACKWARD.
But in looking back over the history
OF our city, the very territory now com ,
priSing the Greater City of New York.
we have so much to be thankful for that
we are not in specially complaining II
mood and, If cast down for a moment !;
1t IS but for a moment; like upon the .
sea, we have ever and anon been upon r
the crest of the wave one moment, :
where we could feel the influence of the :
sunlight, and, IN another moment. in n
he gulf with the sunlight for a space, +
0bscured. We shall see the sunlight | :
again.
Could the South have studied the his -
DRY OF this city for the past one hundred ! .
nd twenty-five years there would be no | r
IeXed problem on their hands now. | :,
Forty years before the final abolition of r
slavery IN this State, the good people =
II this city had established schools for
he children of African decent In all l.,
he districts now comprising this great Il
there sch