Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1903-12-18
GEORGE HENRY WHITE.

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GEORGE HENRY WHITE.
s'Tbe heights which men have gained
and kept
Were not attained by single flight;
They, while their companions slept
Were. t0iling upward in the night
-Longfellow.
The s'poet Of the fireside" probably
had never heard OF George Henry
White when he penned these immortal
lines, but to no man do they more 1T
tingly apply than the last negro OF
this decade to sit in the halls OF the
American congress. From the pine
forests OF North Carolina to the CON
gress OF the United States is far
cry, but Mr.. White in trifle over
forty years made the journey-not by
q single flight" by by incessant toll.
intelligently devised industry. rigid
economy, development of sturdy
character. wellkept physical body
all stirred and animated by a burning
love Of race, brilliant fire of genius
that knew no encouragement.
In little log cabin in Bladen coun.
ty. North Carolina, miles and miles
from a railroad-almost virgin soil
in the year 1852. George Henry White
was born. His early youth offered
little that was inspiring.
But men of ambition are not held
down by circumstances. They find
Joy in overcoming obstacles. Young
White outgrew his surroundings and
seized his first opportunity, went OF
to country school to begin the rudi.
ments of an education. Later he took
q course under Prof. D. p. Allen, presi-
dent OF the Written Normal school.
at Lumberton, N. C. He afterwards
entered Howard University. Washing
ton. D. c., graduating from the eclec-
tic department OF that institution in
the class of 1877. While taking an
academic course he read law, which
reading he completed under Judge
William J. Clarke OF North Carolina.
He was licensed to practice in all OF
the courts OF his state by the su-
preme court in 1879.
For time afterwards, Mr.. White
served as principal Of one of the state
normal schools and taught in other
institutions, meanwhile perfecting
himself in his profession. So favor.
ably did his abilities impress the peo-
pie that in 1880 he was elected to the
North Carolina house Of representa-
tives. In 1884 he was sent to the
state senate. In 1886 he was chosen
solicitor and prosecuting attorney fol
the second Judicial district Of North
Carolina for term Of four years. and
for like term in 1890.
Mr.. Whites unselfsh disposition
was wildly shown in 1894, when, after
having been enthusiastically nomin-
ated by his following for congress. he
withdrew in the interest of harmony
in his party. He was too good a man
to lose. however, and in 1896 he was
elected to the Fifty. fifth Congress, re-
versing heavy democratic majority
that had won two years previously.
He was elected to the Eifty-ffth Con-
gress in 1898. He represented the sec
ond North Carolina district
During Mr.. Whites four years In
the national house he was one OF the
most conspicuous figures, partly by
reason Of the beneficial measures adj
vocated by him and his keenness In
debate; partly from the fact that he
was the only bronze face that appear
ed in either branch of the two con-
crosses. That Mr.. White served ably
and conscientiously is attested by the
record and by the universal esteem
in which he is now held by his fellow
citizens all over the land. He served
the largest constituency OF any single
member, representing the ten million
colored people of America. He was q
useful legislator and was active In
promoting the Home for Aged Ne
groes. to establish colored battery
OF artillery. and was especially valua.
Bile in assisting the Mckinley admin
istration to solve the problems dur
ing and growing out Of the Spanish
American war. At the close OF his
term he delivered a valelictory which,
for convincing logic, dramatic intensi.
ty. pathos of appeal, array OF histori-
cal facts, optimism Of belief In his
race and force Of presentation, has
never been excelled In this country
by any man. white or black.
Mr.. White was immensely popular
with his home people in North Caro-.
lima, In 1896 he was state delegate.
at-large to the national republican
convention at st. Louis and voted for
the nomination of Major Mckinley.
In 1900 he went as a delegate to
Philadelphia from his district and
again supported Mr.. Mckinley. he
did yoemen service for the republican
party in many states during both
campaigns.
MI. White is thirtythird degree
Mason and for six years was grand
master OF the North Carolina organ
ization. In 1896, within thirty days
OF each other, he had conferred upon
him the honorable degree Of LII. .. by
Biddle University, Charlotte, and BY
Livingston College, Salisbury, n. g.
IN 1897 his alma mater, Howard Uni.
versity, added "A. M. to his titles, and
in 1900 the A. and NJ. college at Nor
NAL. Ala, followed with the Phi. .. De
gree. All OF those honors he bears
modestly.
BURLINGTON NEWS.