Irvine Garland Penn

“ It is folly for any one to shut his eyes to the fact, that the war for human rights in this country is not closed. When the agitation for freedom began, the colored man was not in the position to speak for himself; so the work had to be done almost entirely by his friends. But in his new condition, he must be the principal actor in securing the rights and privileges yet denied him. We must have leaders, just as all people have; and this fact brings the colored people to the front. Our newspapers must be a reliable source of thought and direction for the masses of our people. ”

“ The columns of a public journal should never be used as a sewerage for that which is harmful and degrading. Such matter may tickle the ear of the gossip-seeker, and by attracting a large class of such readers, enable its editor to boast of "the largest circulation;" but it is the prostitution of a high office, which, in the end, will meet its just deserts. In these days, when sensational and degenerate literature is doing so much to corrupt our youth, I say to every journal in the land, "Keep thyself pure." ”

“ The Afro-American editor has demonstrated the capacity of his race to win success and distinction in every department of life in which he finds his white brother a competitor. He has, by his capacity for his work, both natural and acquired, demonstrated to the world that he does not represent a race of mere imitators, but a race, which, under the same conditions, is capable of doing all the Anglo-Saxon race can accomplish.
No agency has been more potent in compelling a just recognition of the negro, as a man and a citizen, than the Press in his hands. ”

“ In the light of Lord Wynford's opinion, is any part of the press of our country responsible for the maltreatment of one people by the other, and a continued existence of prejudice? If "where vituperation begins, the liberty of the press ends," is there more vituperation than liberty exercised by a part of our press? Is the press accountable for any disregard of the law? Is it in its power to cause peace in every nook of our commonwealth? ”

“ Is there one paper published by white men in any one of the eleven Southern states to-day, in which colored men receive the same news and editorial treatment that white men receive? Let those ignorant negroes, who pretend that they can not understand why colored newspapers are published, answer this question; and if they can not, let them slink away out of the sight of honest men who understand the serious nature of the negro problem, and are honestly endeavoring to solve it in the right way. I confess that I have small patience with this sort of negro Jonah. ”

“ We claim, with all the right thinking people, that the press, an expressor of the popular will, is an indispensable part of the nation's freedom. We claim that since it purports to work for a race's benefit; since it purports to express a race's thought upon all questions affecting their material, moral, religious, social and intellectual welfare, their civil and political rights, the race for which it labors is entitled to a free expression as to its success and achievements. ”

“ They are those who do not argue that the condition of the black man is the cause of his rejection and nonrecognition, and offer no remedy for his elevation; but they heed the black man's continued cries for assistance, in his efforts to advance; those who give a listening ear as he cries—"Save me, or I perish." This friendly class knows that we are seeking for educational, moral and religious improvement, not social equality; and when others demand the expulsion of the race from America, though we have been here three hundred years, they, in accents loud and strong, proclaim our freedom. ”

“ The future course of our Press, to promote good among our people, (I only speak of the secular Press,) is the teaching of good morals; the education of our youth; the necessity of possessing refinement and culture, which stamp the true lady and gentleman; to teach every colored man, woman and child that he is an American, in all that the word implies, until this idea permeates the whole race; to teach that "the cause of one is the cause of all;" that, as we are equal in the sight of God as men, we must be equal in all things that pertain to the happiness of all men ”

“ Among the achievements of the Afro-American editors, the first and foremost has been the establishment of a closer bond of union among us, by which we have been enabled to present a solid front, make a stronger fight for our rights, and thereby demand fair play in the race of life. The negro editor, by virtue of his position, has not only become a live factor in our American body-politic as a dictator and holder of public opinion, in common with the white man, but he is the spokesman of the race, and the guardian of its best interests. ”

“ As a regrettable fact, the white Press of the South is leagued against the negro and his rights, and it is re-enforced by quite two-thirds of the Press of the North and West. How are we to overcome this tremendous influence? Are we to prevail against our enemies not as other men prevail against theirs? Can we reasonably expect other men to use their lungs to cry out for us when we are wronged and outraged and robbed and murdered? ”

“ It was this sleepless desire to be doing something for the good of his fellow-man, especially for the advancement of his Afro-American brother, that led him to establish The Boston Courant, of which he is both editor and proprietor. It needs no prophetic eye to state, that if Mr. Street's days are prolonged he will win for himself a name not soon to be forgotten; and those of his race who are anxious to see their people attain soon to that position they believe their Creator has designed for them, must feel that he is to be an honored instrument in bringing it about. ”

“ We should study the field from which our support must come. One New York publisher knows every county in every state and the literary caliber of its inhabitants, and is therefore able to put each book he has for sale on the market, at the best advantage to himself and the author. How many of our editors have thus studied the colored constituency of the various states?
We must watch the signs of the times and show business tact. I am forcibly reminded that the white race, even the ignorant portion, possesses this faculty largely beyond our own people, even the intelligent ones among us. ”

“ We are pointed to great men who have made themselves famous in this world. Some are praised for their oratory, some for their fine learning, some for their benevolence and various other qualities, which are all good enough; but they, within themselves, are nothing but leaves, which fall to the ground in their autumnal days and return to dust. True fruit is holiness of heart, and clusters, ripened by the grace of God, be they found in persons ever so lowly, hang higher than all the growth of the intellectual powers. Fruit is the evidence of culture. ”

“ Thus it was that we brought our woes, burdens, and grievances before the enlightened world, pressing our own way against the monster, as the ax does its work for the pioneer of the forest. Therefore, I regard the Press, in the hands of the negro, as one of the most potent levers in assisting in the total destruction of American slavery, that existed in the ante-bellum days, which is the greatest achievement, to my mind, accomplished in the history of our country, and fully answers the second question. ”

“ Not being a journalist myself, I will not venture an opinion as to the fourth question. However, I believe that the Afro-American Press is essential to race development as men and citizens, as are the genial rays of the sun and the warm rains to an abundant harvest. The Afro-American Press has done much, but there is room to do more. It can and ought, withont fear or favor, to point out to our brethren in the South the line of policy that alone will conserve to our best and lasting interest. ”

“ It is hardly necessary to state that the efficiency of the negro Press is the measure of its support. I have already intimated that our newspapers must be cosmopolitan. An intelligent man wishes to know the doings of all the people of his own country and of the civilized world. The negro is but a fractional part of it. A paper that purports to contain the news must be a medium of it all. In looking at the negro Press from this standard, it is clearly seen that it lacks proper support from those for whom it is especially published. ”

“ We have been noticing the duty of the Anglo-Saxon and Afro-American press in a common country. Now let us lift the curtain and behold the Anglo-Saxon press, North and South, its views of our race, and its manly fight for and against us. We shall also beg indulgence while we give expression to some views of eminent white men, North and South, on the race question, which so decidedly divides the press. ”

“ NATURALLY, with all people, the freedom of speech and thought are cardinal principles to be devoutly wished for, and sought. Whether this freedom of thought is expressed through the instrumentality of the press, or by our vocal organs on the stump, pulpit or rostrum, it is nevertheless a dear and precious privilege that we cannot afford to abuse, but one that we should use in the maintenance of good and wise principles. ”

“ We believe, therefore, in view of all the facts, that it is our duty and privilege to claim an equal place among the American people; to identify ourselves with American interests, and to exert all the power and influence we have, to break down all the disabilities under which we labor, and thus look to become a happy people in this extensive country."
Thus Editor Ray was no dupe in the editorial fight that he made for his race. He successfully made The American a paper that will be known for ages as a bold and uncompromising fighter for freedom. ”

“ There is to be no compromise connected with the manly and fearless advocacy of all that pertains to the rights, the elevation, the advancement, the general and equal good of our race. No mutual repellency, sometimes called prejudice, at others' hatred, whether claimed to grow out of previous social condition or complexional and race peculiarities, must be allowed to weigh even an atom against our first demand for immediate emancipation from every sort of evil,—social, political, or official thraldom. The editor is to march boldly forward in the discharge of his duty. ”

“ It is their intention that not an Afro-American shall be ignorant of the league and its purposes. It shall be so simple and plain, that "a way-faring man, though a fool, shall not err therein." This aggressive, yet peaceable manner of agitating is a commendable step, for the best sentiments of the people may be relied on to take the side of the right; and since the side of the right is the complete emancipation of the race from social, moral and political injustice, it is safe to say that the Anglo-Saxon, with whom we live and move, will some day, en masse, get on that side. ”

“ The sentiment of the old South is to-day against a free ballot. By forbearance, discretion, and judicious deportment, the new South may be enlisted in the cause of a free, untrammeled ballot. No people, once oppressed, ever succeeded in reaching the goal of their ambition, none ever
WILLIAM H. JOHNSON, M D. demonstrated their claims to pre-eminence and distinction, except through trials and much suffering. The Afro-American is no exception to this rule. The guarantees in the amended Constitution are all right; so, also, are the enforcement laws on the statute books. The legacy is ours. ”

“ As was the practice of every Afro-American journal, The Pacific Appeal had a motto: "He who would be free, himself must strike the blow;" which it adhered to as best it could, under existing circumstances. This, it would seem, was the vital principle underlying the contest this paper intended to make, in view of what was a common fight,—that of Abolition, or freedom to the enslaved. ”

“ This young lady, as will be seen from an extract of a letter to the author which we take the liberty to produce, is fully alive to the work of the press and the demand for active laborers. She writes: "Allow me to say, that I think my work as a writer but barely begun, for, God helping mo, I mean to become one of no mean caliber. I regard the press as one of the mightiest factors that more this universe of ours. So great is its influence, so powerful its results, I verily believe that if we, through any unseen force, should lose our free press, our republic would be shattered. ”

“ It forgets that, housed in a dark complexion is, equally and alike, with the white, all that is lofty in mind and noble in soul; that there lies an equal immortality. It teaches to grade mind and soul, either by the texture of the hair, or the form of the features, or the color of the skin. This is an education fostered by prejudice; consequently, an education almost universally prevalent in our country; an education, too, subverting the principles of our humanity, and turning away the dictates of our noble being from what is important, to meaner things. ”

“ Albert is a reliable, pointed, and pleasing writer. The editorial columns of The Advocate are always bright and cogent. His ready acquaintance with all questions makes him able to write in the most inviting way upon any subject he may see fit to tackle. The best thing about his success in life is, that, personally, he had to earn everything with which to educate and make himself a man. Learned in the Bible, as the lawyer is in the law, he is able to present Scripture truths unto a dying generation, with that ready vehemence and force that none could do who were less well informed. ”

“ It seems to me, now, that an intelligent man, or one simply desiring information, would see what benefit he is getting for his money, in taking a paper. It is the principle in all other matters. I can see no reason why it should not apply here. As a rule, both editorial and news-matter are of higher quality in white papers. The news-matter in colored papers is absolutely worthless. Whatever news there is of public or special interest, is first procured by white papers, which, for the most part, have agents on the spot. ”

“ The great colored newspaper must begin at the bottom and grow up with the advancing race. So far as I am able to judge, neither the great newspaper, nor the great editor, has yet appeared; but I have no doubt that the editor will come, and come from the ranks of those who are passing through the experience common to those who have been enslaved. Many things in politics, religion, and philosophy seem to combine to point out for the American negro an important and commanding future. The great poets, orators, and literary men of the nation ought to, and I believe will, come from this race. ”

“ He has been, and is to-day, a great but careful reader. A profound classical student, he is also a master of the English language, and perhaps the best grammarian of the negro press. As a writer, he is pointed, terse, clear. As a talker, he draws from a well-stored mind, and is always interesting and instructive. In politics, he is independent; as some one has put it, a negrowump, placing his race above his party. ”

“ Douglass had, by his eloquent appeals in behalf of the Abolition cause, created a wide spread sentiment, and he was known as an orator. While much of his time was spent on the rostrum in behalf of Abolition, yet many say his best and most effective work for freedom was as editor, in the publication of The Star at Rochester, New York.
Mr. Douglass was what is hard to find in any one man,—a good speaker, as well as an effective, able, and logical writer. There is no man to-day who is a Douglass with the quill and upon the rostrum. ”

“ The institution of the league was at once taken hold of with renewed strength by individuals of the race and by all of the Afro-American journalists, with a vim and a power known only to the newspaper man of firm and unflinching convictions. Every Afro-American editor, with quill in hand, took a decided stand for the league, proclaiming to the world—"Upon this rock I stand; all other is sinking sand."
The New York Age began a lively crusade, while The Plaindealer of Detroit, Mich., issued a circular to the leading men, calling on them for aid. ”

“ I think there can be no doubt that the negro press has been a success. My opinion is, that the Press voices the feelings of the public toward the negro, and puts him upon a more amicable plane with respect to all nations, both abroad and in America; and it has presented the true status of our race, so that a fair mind could not be mistaken in its comprehension of the great questions relative to the negro. ”

“ The charge brought against the negro that he has not property, and can be gobbled up by the lower class of whites, is true of a very few. There are as true, noble-hearted men in the negro race as can be found in the white. There is no disfranchisement for the negro. He, as the white man, or one of any nation, has his aim in life, and he intends to reach it. If honesty is equally practiced by the white race, as well as by the negro, there will be no need to disfranchise either party. But bear in mind, that if the white man doesn't tire of the South, the negro will not. ”

“ We are satisfied that the Sumner, Garrison and Phillips spirit still pervades the North.
In the South, there is a considerable portion of the white population who are friendly to the Afro-Americans, and they are people of wealth and of the best blood. They are too intellectual and aristocratic to be so silly as to worry themselves about a people who are two hundred and fifty years behind them in the race of life. They believe in helping the Afro-Americans to a higher civilization and letting them climb the ladder if they will. ”