Franklin's paper the statesman., 1912-08-10
All Honor Head OF Fifth Eplsco-
pal District.
SPIRIT OF UNITY PREVAILS.
Notable Gathering at st. Paul Chapel,
Where Reception Was Held-Joint
Encampment Of Knights Of Pythas
and Taborans-Forward Movement
In Business and Politics.
By CHARLES S. HUNTER.

BY CHARLES S. HUNTER.
st. Louis-The colored people of st.
Louis, filed with the infectious pro-
gressive 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
magnificence of it's 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 and
professional men from all the churches
and scores of visiting clergymen from
the Fifth episcopal. district of the A.
M. E. church gathered at st. Paul
chapel to welcome Bishop H. B. Parks
to the district.
1t was notable gathering g-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 We're
the joint encampment of their uniform
departments at Kulage park. joint
participation in the monster parade
and a union competitive drill and mill
tary ball.
In politics the black voter is evidenc-
ing his growing sense of racial con-
seriousness 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 Wall
street district in New York being first
in wealth.
The voters are very optimistic and
feel sure that the enthusiastic support
which will be given the candidates
will have a twofold moral effect, mas
much as 1t will create wholesome re-
spect for the Negro politically, as well
as make him more fully conscious of
his own power when exercised as
unit.
Real Estate and Banking Interests.
The most notable event in business
circles Is the organization Of bank,
capitalized at 100000, in which some
of the foremost men of the race locally
are interested
Realty investments are active. New
business ventures are being launched
weekly. The Osborne Printing COM
pany has installed a cylinder press,
upon which will be printed the West
ern Star of Zion, publica ton created
by the recent general conference of
the A NJ. f. 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.. w.
Sampson Brooks, has projected q mon
ster terrace garden which will afford
enjoyment and pleasure for all who
desire such diversion.
Influence of tho Press Recognized.
The spirit Of harmony and thrift Is
In the air; q new Negro is forging to
the front, and, recognizing the grind
Ing, crushing competition Of American
industrial life, he is realizing that
thoroughness and solidarity Of purpose
alone can warrant any measure OF sue
cess in the struggles Of life.
In the furtherance of this new racial
propaganda the Argus, the Advance.
the Central Afro-American and the
Western Star Of Zion, our local publ
cations, are rendering yeoman service.
This !s evidence that the power Of the
press is still vital in molding public
sentiment and in creating an atmos
phere in which reforms must Of neces-
sity thrive and develop good fruitRge.