Mr. Astwood's Criticism of Miss ida B. Wells
August 18, 1894
Summary
Mr. Astwood, a Black Democrat, attacks the work of Ida B Wells.
Transcription
The Washington DC Post in it issue of the 12th inst. publishes an interview with Hon. H.C.C. Astwood, ex-Consul to San Domingo, under a Republican Administration but at present a negro Democrat of the most pronounced stripe.
It will be remembered that President Cleveland nominated him to the position of Consul to Calais, France, but the Senate rejected him. Since that time he has been waiting for another tender of office, but it has not come his way.
We are personally acquainted with Mr. Astwood But with all of his turn coat proclivities to a extent as to discountenance The Patriotic and race loving utterances of such a sacrificing lady as Miss Ida B Wells, who, now if never before deserves all of the thanks and gratitude that a suffering people can bestow.
Mr. Astwood’s Assertions are the essence of selfishness, directed at the vital interest of the race with the purpose to destroy.
It seems to have been thus in all ages and among all peoples, That those who are blessed and who do not themselves feel the iron heel of the oppressor, nor share directly the misery, scoff at the suffering with their fellow men endure.
And yet we are surprised at Mr. Astwood. He had been represented to us as such but we never believe him heartless. What else could he be? here is a young woman, imbued with love of race, driven from her home at Memphis, penniless, drifting and depending upon the Charities of the dull, cold world.
Her Devotion to her race, Condemning of their oppressors lead to her Exile. She continues the warfare, travels from one section of the country to the other, succeeds in arousing the Christian sentiment of Great Britain in our behalf, which in turn react upon the Christian sentiment of the United States, and the apologists for crime are thrown upon the defensive, the governors of the states and others in Authority set about to exercise the Machinery of the law to the end lawlessness might cease.
Tell us that such actions deserve not commendation, and that the lady concerned should not be honored! far be it then. A member of the race should endeavor to discourage her efforts or deign to give the lie to the truth of what she says.
Miss Ida B Wells has only told a part of the whole truth. To tell it as it is would tend to leave one unacquainted with this section to doubt that the horrors of the Middle Ages had been out done.
No crime however base can justify inhuman and barbarous tortures by a Christian people. Lynching in the south is Not By Any Means confined to the punishment of the lawless and the depraved...
It will be remembered that President Cleveland nominated him to the position of Consul to Calais, France, but the Senate rejected him. Since that time he has been waiting for another tender of office, but it has not come his way.
We are personally acquainted with Mr. Astwood But with all of his turn coat proclivities to a extent as to discountenance The Patriotic and race loving utterances of such a sacrificing lady as Miss Ida B Wells, who, now if never before deserves all of the thanks and gratitude that a suffering people can bestow.
Mr. Astwood’s Assertions are the essence of selfishness, directed at the vital interest of the race with the purpose to destroy.
It seems to have been thus in all ages and among all peoples, That those who are blessed and who do not themselves feel the iron heel of the oppressor, nor share directly the misery, scoff at the suffering with their fellow men endure.
And yet we are surprised at Mr. Astwood. He had been represented to us as such but we never believe him heartless. What else could he be? here is a young woman, imbued with love of race, driven from her home at Memphis, penniless, drifting and depending upon the Charities of the dull, cold world.
Her Devotion to her race, Condemning of their oppressors lead to her Exile. She continues the warfare, travels from one section of the country to the other, succeeds in arousing the Christian sentiment of Great Britain in our behalf, which in turn react upon the Christian sentiment of the United States, and the apologists for crime are thrown upon the defensive, the governors of the states and others in Authority set about to exercise the Machinery of the law to the end lawlessness might cease.
Tell us that such actions deserve not commendation, and that the lady concerned should not be honored! far be it then. A member of the race should endeavor to discourage her efforts or deign to give the lie to the truth of what she says.
Miss Ida B Wells has only told a part of the whole truth. To tell it as it is would tend to leave one unacquainted with this section to doubt that the horrors of the Middle Ages had been out done.
No crime however base can justify inhuman and barbarous tortures by a Christian people. Lynching in the south is Not By Any Means confined to the punishment of the lawless and the depraved...
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Upper Left Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Carlos Serrano
Citation
“Mr. Astwood's Criticism of Miss ida B. Wells,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed October 9, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1494.