The Office-Holder and his Race Love
September 3, 1898
Summary
An African American officer speaks out in favor of his race.
Transcription
The Cleveland, O., Gazette calls up on the Afro-American press of the country to demand that those of the race holding high office under the government at Washington shall insist that Afro-Americans be protected in life and property.
It declares that Hon. John M. Townsend, now pastor of Allen Temple at Cincinnati, O., is the only man who while in office had the manhood to speak out in behalf of his people.
We think the suggestion is a good one, but the average office-holder, comfortably seared in his big arm chair, will ask, where is Rev. Dr. Townsend and where is the Hon. H. C Smith? Both are uncompromising race-advocates, and both have been ignominiously side-tracked, so far as public office is concerned.
The fact remains that the leader who places race first, will rarely, if ever secure the recognition to which he is entitled. He must draw his support directly from the pockets of the people whom he serves.
The most remarkable Afro-American specimen in the political arena was the late Hon. N. Wright Cuney, and we have no recollection of his having made any such demand upon the administration while he held office.
Col. W. A. Pledger of Georgia measures up nearer to the ideal set by the Gazette, and where is Col. Pledger?
A reference to Hon. T. Thomas Fortune is evidently out of place. He ‘fits the bill’ so to speak, or would do so were he holding an office, but where is editor Fortune?
We make these remarks to show that men of the “strips and caliber” referred to by our esteemed contemporary, rarely, if ever “break by” the “dead-lines” set by the politicians.
The astute, observant, policy-shaping, irresponsive, cool calculating colored politician, with a little money, and much reputation gets there.”
But the leaders of the Fortune type, must have their labor for their pains and fill a grave bedecked with laurels and watered with the tears of a truly appreciative people.
Here lies their glory, here is found their reward.
Nothing more, sometimes les. Selah.
It declares that Hon. John M. Townsend, now pastor of Allen Temple at Cincinnati, O., is the only man who while in office had the manhood to speak out in behalf of his people.
We think the suggestion is a good one, but the average office-holder, comfortably seared in his big arm chair, will ask, where is Rev. Dr. Townsend and where is the Hon. H. C Smith? Both are uncompromising race-advocates, and both have been ignominiously side-tracked, so far as public office is concerned.
The fact remains that the leader who places race first, will rarely, if ever secure the recognition to which he is entitled. He must draw his support directly from the pockets of the people whom he serves.
The most remarkable Afro-American specimen in the political arena was the late Hon. N. Wright Cuney, and we have no recollection of his having made any such demand upon the administration while he held office.
Col. W. A. Pledger of Georgia measures up nearer to the ideal set by the Gazette, and where is Col. Pledger?
A reference to Hon. T. Thomas Fortune is evidently out of place. He ‘fits the bill’ so to speak, or would do so were he holding an office, but where is editor Fortune?
We make these remarks to show that men of the “strips and caliber” referred to by our esteemed contemporary, rarely, if ever “break by” the “dead-lines” set by the politicians.
The astute, observant, policy-shaping, irresponsive, cool calculating colored politician, with a little money, and much reputation gets there.”
But the leaders of the Fortune type, must have their labor for their pains and fill a grave bedecked with laurels and watered with the tears of a truly appreciative people.
Here lies their glory, here is found their reward.
Nothing more, sometimes les. Selah.
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Upper Left Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Cali Hughes
Citation
“The Office-Holder and his Race Love,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed September 13, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1627.