The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1941-03-14
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Charles Steizle
I869-I94I
By r. r. WRIGHT, Jr.
Bishop Of the A. M. E. Church

nv phone rang, and a voice III New
York said to me in Louisville, Or.
Charles Stclzle is dead | was so schock-
ed. it was several seconds before ! re-
covered my proper composure | was as
sured that it was the Dr. Charles Stelzle,
my friend and humanity's friend
Had Dr. Stelzle died two years ago,
would have, Of course expressed deep
loss. While | had known him many
years, it was only after | became active
in the Good Neighbor League in 1886,
and had every day contact with him, that
came to value his friendship and trust
his advice Many hours we spent to-
gether discussing the Negro race, its his
tory, its hopes, its aspirations, struggles.
disappointments, successes, etc. He came
to America as an immigrant Of poor
parents. He knew the hardships of New
York's East Side, poverty and the strug-
gle Of so-called working element. A ma
chinist by trade, he early Joined the la
Dor unicn and fought side by side with
his fellow workers for better conditions.
But he was interested in the souls of the
workers as we'll He became preacher.
He organized workers church, the La
Dor Temple in New York, and Interested
himself in all phases of labor improve
ment. He became advisor to the Federal
Council of Churches of Christ in America
on labor conditions. Then he became in
terested in the Good Neighbor League,
and that was when | met him, and soon
discovered something in him with which
fell in love. He was SO quiet SO simple
so kind, so genuine, SO much interested
IN the things in which | was interested
Long hours spent telling him the story
of my people and long hours | listened
to him tell the struggle Of Labor and his
hopes for better world.
| went to Africa; we corresponded. |
returned and saw his name in many
colored newspapers Upon his invitation
| went to talk with him in his New York
office, and in his quiet way he told me of
his hopes. Il want to help if just some
little Bit he said, Ito inform, perhaps
inspire: Negroes are citizens; they are
Americans. They should think Ameri-
can, they should act American, make
that their habit, he said to me for per-
haps the twentieth time. | told him how
had read his articles in sixteen papers
that week, and he seemed pleased. "Do
you think | am writing the right thing?'
he asked. You see, want SO much to
help. For | realize that there can never
be Democracy in this country, to say
nothing about Christianity, unless all
people have the opportunity, and inclina-
ton to do their part. And the colored
people as we all know are pushed far
thest back
DR.. Stelzle talked with me with great
enthusiasm about his new venture into
the Negro newspaper world, and showed
me letters of appreciation from Negro
editors, and was happy that he was be-
ginning to touch thousands of Negro
readers with his weekly articles
That is why say regret most sincere
ly that he passes at this time He show
ed remarkable grasp of the finer as
poets of Negro life, and an understand
ing OF the Negro struggle which few
outside the group have.
cannot refrain therefore from writing
these words Of appreciation Of him, who
loved humanity--one of Gods nobemen.
and to express the hope that the Col
umn ne started 50 brilliantly in Negro
and Labor newspapers all over America
Will be continued by someone who will
feel moved to take up the task which
Charles Stelzle has SO well begun and
has left unfinished.
Miss Louise M. Troy
Miss Louise M Troy will lnno he -