The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1914-08-07
NEGROES IN
LITERATURE
Many Have Produced
Works of Real Mer-
it--InAuence of
Good Books

Los Angeles. Gal. oct Of the impor-
sant lite values are found IN the books we
read Art, science. philosophy and reli-
zion are great life values in the training
OF the human intellsct, and tbese are
brought 10 ~ through the medium of
books. The making of books 10 the most
vital work OF the race. but only men OF
real talent and genius are able TO pro-
duce books Of worth and permansnt val
ue- In literature the Negro has thus far
produced but few ''ds~p digger"
The chief glory Of every race rsst in
its suthors, and the Negro race s just
entering into the larger and more glori-
ous possibilities OF litsrsturr effort. rns
object OF literature is TO impart vital les-
sons OF life. TO give pleasure, 10 excite in
terest, 10 banish solitude. to make At
trAetive our future prospects and 10 give
inspiration 70 worthy strivinss.
The person who loves books nssd offer
neither Qualification nor excuse, for with
the love OF booxs in the heart one is rich
indeed
lt is sort Of compliment % the race
that il has ID early after it, emsncips-
ton from slavery. developed 80 many
booklovers. Although the performance
OF some Of our writers has not reached
grestness. yet it must be acknowledged
that some OF them have produced work
OF genuine literary merit. Prior 10 the
civil war and for about ftsen year. i'm
msdiately thereafter the literary produc-
tons OF the race were largely theological
and sutobiograPhiesi. Very little OF this
literature Possosssd the vital spark OF true
suthorship.
There was the lsc< of elegance and
grace OF style. and hsncs ths books pro-
dnced daring that period coon lost their
place In ths memoviss of nsn. .Bus ~
considerable proportion OF this literature
dealt with the escape OF slsves from bon
dAse. The most thrilling and perhaps
the best example Of ell such narratives IL
the autobiography Of the great Frederick
Dougiss- This book, Life and Times
Of Frederick Douglas, is fascinating in
style and convincing in elucidation. IL
proves in its composition, when We con-
sider the authors meager chances for &C.
curing knowledge, that Mr.. Douglas
wss . singulsrly gifted man OF unusual
powers.
Tie only book produced by an Amer
ican Negro comparable with il il up
From Slavery" by DR.. Booker T. Wash
ington. But DIR. Washington has since
produced many books dealing with a -
rious and practical discussion of the Ne
gro question. In . peculiar sense his
work takes first place In the list OF Negro
authors. Dr. Washington has enjoyed
advantages Of association and contact
with the most distinguished people OF the
world, ard, having . good strong mind
"A mind capable Of penetrating To tie
very bottom Of things-snd, being q big
souled man, he has, in simple, forceful
language, st forth bis views with telling
effect
The best history of the Negro thus far
produced 10 The History OF the Negro
Race in America" by George W. Will
Jams. This book is still in print by the
Putnsms Of New YORK and London. IL
contains the story Of the race in ADerics
from 1919 70 1850, treating Of the race -
slaves, a. soldiers and - citizens, togeth-
er With = preliminary consider alton OF the
unity Of the human family, historical
sketches Of Africa and an account Of the
governments Of Sierra Leone and Liberia.
In the field Of fiction the Negro hss
done bis best work. The short storie~ OF
Charles W. Chssnutt measures up In lite
rsry quality n the be-t tbings done In
recent years by any American writer, and
the short STORES Of Paul Laurence Dun
bsr, With rCmping, singing, shouting and
dancing characters are 30 clean and ar
ti-tic that they appeal 10 the most fa<tid-
ious reader.
In the stories aud essays Of Dr. w. r..
b. Du Bois and Prof. Kelly Miller there
- .eriousn~~ from beginning % end.
Thee authors have attained an import
ant place In American letters. But uhsr
they have produced is no laughing mat
ter. DIR. Washington often emh<lIishe-
bis narrative vith story, just 10 enforce
thought or illustrate . point, but Meth
er Du Bois nor Miller ever perpetrsss- q
joke.
The pioneer writer Of verse Wa The fr.il
little slave girl q Bo~ton---PhiIlis Whsst-
IeJ, who ~s recosnized by 0eorgs w ssh-
ington. Since her day Francs Ellen
Wstkins Hsrpsr, Mn. y. N. Mos~il,
his cornelis Ray, Mr. Victoria Esrls
Matthews, Mn. Harvey johnson, Miss
Eioiss Bib, Alice kuth Dunbsr, Mn.
Csrrie w. Clifford, Mrs. susie I. shorter
and . host Of others have written poetry,
some rood, soms bod and soDe very bed.