The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1904-02-13

Occurring Among the Afro.Ameri-
cans of the Capital of This Great
and Glorious Nation for Our Many
Readers.
washington, Feb. 1O.-From recent
articles contained in certain Afro
American paper published in the state
IF Missouri, the Washington acquain-
tances Of DR.. J. R. A. Grassland learn
hat the ex-minister is still in the lime
light.
Press dispatches from San Domingo
indicate that the insurgents are still
doing business at the old stand and
that United States Minister VIM. F.
Powell, an Afro-American from New
Jersey, continued to crown himself
with glory as diplomatist Mr.. Pow.
ell is gentleman of splendid attain
ments and his record as United States
minister to Haiti reflects credit upon
his race.
Speaking of Haiti and of Minister
Powells success reminds me that,
although his country has sent numer-
GUS Afro-Americans to represent it as
minister resident and consul general
in Haiti for number of years, yet
from all appearances the people of
the United States have not always
looked with a marked degree of favor
upon their colored representatives at
that post, the apparent impression be-
ing that on account Of color or racial
tics fellow feeling existed between
the Afro-Americans and Haitians
which would probably operate against
the best interests of this country in
the event of serious misunderstood
ings between the two countries. The
case of Minister Frederick Douglass
and his negotiations for the Mole St.
Nicholas is recalled in this connec-
ton, and it is reasonable to. believe
that the official acts of Minister John
M. Langston and Of others were pos
sibly discredited in the same manner.
But in those days there was an evil
dence of brotherly feeling between
the Afro-Americans and Haitians
which was manifest in the business
and social intermingling of the two
peoples. Now things have changed,
especially in this country, where we
see in every large city a gradual draw
ing away to themselves on the part
of the Haitians who seem no longer
to find profit and enjoyment in an
association with Afro-Americans. That
this is so should be matter of small
concern to us, as we have nothing in
particular to gain from an association
that brings into question the loyalty
to this country's interests Of some OF
the brightest men of our race. There
is nothing in common.
Mrs. A. M. Curtis is spending sew
eral weeks in California.
The work of multiplying the Consti
tuition goes merrily on. The Demo
Gratis of Delaware have declared fol
it and the Democratic legislature OF
Maryland is now considering pro
posed amendment to their constitu
ton that will deprive the Afro-Amer
leans in that state of their suffrage.
M. Ge,pville Reache, the deputy from
Quad eloupe,. West Indies, "a mulatto
was recently elected vice president OF
the French Chamber of Deputies. The
duties are similar to those performed
by the Speaker of our House of Repre-.
sentatives.
Mr.. Robert Pelham, Jr., who has
been spending few days at his home
in Detroit on account of the serious
illness of his father, has returned.
With the slogan, mo children's day
money for the Sunday School union,
let it be self-supporting," Mr.. Ira T.
Bryant, the son of the late M. E. Bry.
ant, announces his candidacy for the
position of secretary to the A. M. E.
Sunday School Union, with headquar-
tiers at Nashville.
Mr. Bryant is a scholarly young
man, Christian gentleman, an expert
government printer and is in other
ways eminently fitted for the posi-
ton. 1t will be healthy sign to see
the grand old A. M. E. Church give
recognition, along official lines, to the
young laymen of the connection.
Estimating the number of Afro
Americans in Illinois for the year 1904
by the per cent of increase shown
during the decade ending June 80,
1900, we have a population of about
102,850.
Mr. VIM. Hawkins of the Depart
ment of Commerce and Labor contem-
plates visit to his home in Mi1wau-
kee.
The senior class of the Normal
School gave dance last Thursday ev-
ening which was largely attended.
The many western friends of Mr.. A.
J. Gaskins of this city will be delight
ed to learn that he is rapidly recov-
ering from his serious illness.
Gov. Pinchback has been enjoying
a few days in Louisiana amid the
scenes Of his former triumphs.
The age period, showing the great
est number of adult Afro-American
males and females, is from 20 to "a
years.
Every state and territory in the
Union has contributed to the Afro
American population of Illinois, while
about IS per cent of our population
was born within the state. Kentucky
has given us 1851; Tennessee 1922;
Missouri S,185; Virginia, Mississippi
and Alabama have also been liberal
contributors. More than 1900 citizens
of Ohio have recognized the superior
advantage to. be found in our state