Page:The Afro-American Press.djvu/180

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172
THE AFRO-AMERICAN PRESS.

was never more fired to a realization of the political condition of the colored men under the present administration, than was he while reading an editorial in The Sentinel, under the caption of "Colored Men, Don't." After citing many reasons for the Afro-American's failure to attain influential offices under the Republican administration commensurate with his numerical strength, the editor cites as another reason the following, which in its entirety is the most telling reason we have yet seen given:

"Another trouble negro Republicans get into, which appears almost like premeditated design to commit political death, is that they go into convention, and permit a few men, with no political influence at home, to get control of the party organization, carry it to Washington City, and have their men appointed to office, with the negro left out. Worse still; after experiencing these sad disappointments some colored men will cringe and apologize for having aspired to positions of influence and trust, for the purpose of securing a subordinate place. This is political cowardice, and unmanly in the extreme."

Not only is Mr. Lewey level-headed in this, but as editor of The Sentinel, we find him, in a most considerate manner, endeavoring to inspire the race with a desire to be a self-respecting and a self-assisting people—not content to live in the atmosphere of dependency. In an editorial, "Brains will Tell," Mr. Lewey clearly proves the Afro-American press responsible for an abstract mixture of the so-called race problem, which has led our people, says he, "into a wonder of mysteries as to their relationship to this government, and what must be done to command personal respect and civil recognition from the white men, not only in the South but the North, likewise." The plucky editor then says:

"Douglass, Langston and Bruce, have obtained recognition among white men, Democrats as well as Republicans, North