The broad ax., 1912-08-24
By cHARLEs 5. HUNTER.


In sueinsss and Politics.
By CHARLES s. HUNTER
St Louis.-The colored people OF St
Louis. iIIed with the infectious pro-
Rressive spirit Of this western metrop-
oils, are making history. Long promi-
nent in the educational world because
of the splendid equipment Of its schools,
conspicuous in religious circles By the
magnifcence Of its churches, its col
ored population is now experiencing a
business and political awakening that
augurs big things for the future Of the
race in this section
The latter part Of July hundreds Of
representative citizens, business ana
professional men from all the churches
and scores Of visiting clergymen from
the Fifth episcopal district Of the A.
II. e. church gathered at st. Paul
chapel to welcome Bishop a. B Parks
to the district.
II was a notable gathering-notable
not alone in the fact that all the col
ored evangelical churches In the city
We'd with each other in extending cor
dial greetings to the distinguished
churchman. but because Of the domi-
nant note of racial unity sounded by
all the speakers in an effort to foster
every possible agency for racial better
ment and uplift
Secret Society and Political Notes.
! Another big event was the sessions
Of the grand lodge Knights Of Pythi-
as and Knights of Tabor. These gath
erings have brought together hun
dreds Of representative men and wo-
men from all parts Of the state The
unique features Of the occasion were
the Joint encampment Of their uniform
departments at Kulage park, joint
participation in the monster parade
ana a union competitive drill and MILL
tAry ball
} In politics the black voter Il evioenc-
ing his growing sense Of racial con-
scIousness by bringing out candidates
for nomination for state senator and
congressman OF the Twelfth congress
sional district, the second richest dis
trict In the United States, the Wan
street district In New York being nrst
b wealth
The voters are very optimistic and
feel sure that the enthusiastic support
which will be given the candidates
viii have a twofoId moral effect, mas
gN I'LL - w-h1I11nraa
1pect for the Negro politically. as well
a make him more fully conscious OF
his own power when exercised as q
unit.
Real Estate and Banking interests.
The most notable event in business
circles Is the organization uf hank.
capitalized at $2OOOOO. in which some
q the foremost men of the race IOralIy
are interested.
Realty investments are active New
business ventures are being launched
weekly. The Osborne Printing CON-
pany has installed q cylinder press.
upon which win Be printed the West
en- Star Of Zion, q publication created
. b. the recent general conference Of
the A. II. q. Zion church.
Feeling that the church should have
part In the selection Of proper amuse-
ments for the people, St Paul chapel,
under the splendid leadership Of Dr.. ".
Sampson Brooks, has projected q mon
stE terrace garden which win afford
enjoyment and pleasure for all who
desire such diversion
lnAuSnes Of the Press Recognized.
The spirit Of harmony and thrift b
IN the air; q new Negro Il forging to
the front, and. recognizing the grind
ing, crushing competition Of American
1ndngtxizl life, he II realizing that
ehEoughness and solidarity Of purpose
alone can warrant any measure Of sue
60 IN the struggles Of life.
In the furtherance Of this new racial
RDDaganda the Argus, the Advance,
4he Central Afro-AmeEican and the
Western Star Of zi0ss, our local publ
cations. are rendering yeoman service
This h evidence that the power Of the
pres u sti1 vital In molding public
8snttment and In creating an atmos-
phsre IN which reforms must Of neces-
Gity thrive and develop good frultagA