THE FORUM
“Be ye doers and not sayers only.”
VOL 4 NO. 26 SPRINGFIELD, ILL., SATURDAY, JULY 27, 1907. 15C A MONTH
Governor Deneen.
The governor has inaugurated
a crusade for certain reforms
that his adherents think entitles
him to a second termandon these
grounds, in a great measure, his
petitions are being circulated.
But politics are like stocks and
the market prices—they fluctu
ate and no one knows what may
transpire between now and the
time for the next state conven
tion. Gov. Deneen was the prin
cipal speaker at the Lovejoy
gathering at Greenville this
week in which he lauded Owen
Lovejoy for his position against
slavery in 1860, quoting liberally
from the memorable speech of
Lovejoy. Ex-Gov. Yates capti
vated the vast throng, as he usu
ally does and it could be easily
seen that he is by far, the most
popular governor within a de.
cade.
Ex.Senator ‘‘Billy” Mason
was conspicuous for his arraign
ment of United Senator Hopkins
for the senator's attitude in the
Reed Smoot affair. Lieut.Gov.
Sherman paid his respects to the
federal bunch.
Governor Deneen may be nom.
inated.
Race Mortality.
How to check *he rapid pro.
gress of tubercolosis amorg oui
race is a question of vast reach.
The incresit g mortality as a re.
suit of this dreaded and loath
some disease is alarming.
I veryly believe that for the
general happiness and safety of
the careless, indifferent and
thoughtless element, it would be
a good idea to confine a system
of inspection not only to the
premises; but extend its opera,
tion in doors and have the inmat
es submit to a minute and com.
prehensive examination, so as tc
protect the greatest number
possible from this fatal malady.
—Exchange.
Appeal !Made by Ne
gro Conclave.
PREJUDICE CALLED DIS
EASE.
(Continued from last week )
It blinds the legislators to the ba
sic principles of government and the
highest interests of the state. Partial
and unequal laws are creating a uni
versal lawlesness in the nation. Leg
islation shaping the destiny of great
state should not be controlled by the
demagogues’
Courts where law is interpreted
and guilt or innocence is determined
by orderly and just processes is the
one place where every man should
stand on equal footing; in this guar
antee and proof of real civilization
ricli or poor, black or white, foreign
or native born, should be guaranteed
a fair trial by his peers and feels safe
There goes with this sense of securi
ty, self-respect and respect for law.
Hut, on the other hand, if courts are
intimidated by'the mob spirit and the
right of trial by jury be reserved to
a favored class, then the strong are
are tempted to cruelty and the weak
become hopelessly discouraged or des
pending of higher things, bold in vice
and crime. The product of such con
ditions is poor stuff out of which to
make strong and enduring statei.
The commonwealth derives its ex
istence from the sanction of all who
are subject to it9 sway, and is not
created for the special benefit of a
privileged class, and here we disclaim
before the world that we as a race
are inclined to conceal crimnals or
conceal crime and we further de
clare that we are often made to feel
that we are the victims of crimnal
solidarity, but as soon as the supre
macy of the law is recognized and
the right of tiial by jury is guaran
teed to all, there will then be no oc
sion for such accusation.
We, the Afro-Amerieans of Missou
ri, believe class legislation Is tyran
nous and degrading. The state which
draws its iifo and strength from al*
past ages and from a thousand soures
from even the humblest and the poor
els, ces not exist for a few or a
privileged class, Ths spirit which
sets one branch of the American fam
ily aside and brands it as unclean
and yet welcome the inrushing milli
or s of all lands is dangerous, unjust
and ur,wise, being a flagrant viola
tion of constitutional rights. Such
a policy if continued will ultimately
rob millions of loyal citizens of their
patriotism and will weaken the re
public, for the day may come when
the prophetic words of Lincoln shall
be true, “The time may come when
we shall need the affectionate patri
otism of these people to keep the
jewel of liberty in the American
family.”
(To be continued.)
Notice.
The members of Estella Chap
ter No. 3 are requested to meet
at Masonic hall, Tuesday, July
30. It is the desire that the day
be spent, 'f impossible, meet at
3 p. m
A POPULAR
HOTEL MAN.
Charles Barton, who has been
headwaiter of the Illinois hotel
in Bloomington for the past four
or five years, is in the city with
M rs. Barfon, having resigned
his position in the above named
city. They are the guests of
Mrs. Barton’s mother.
Mr. Barton has accepted the
headwaitership of a large hotel
Charles H. Barton.
in Baltimore, Maryland, at no
distant date. Mr. Barton for a
time, was employed at the Le
land hotel. As a headwaiter, he
is second to none, he guides his
men without friction, is strict,
but without that egotistic auster
ity that characterizes some head
waiters. He will ‘’make good-’
in the city on the Chesapeake
and our best wishes are that he
does.
Bloomington, 111.
The four churehes of Bloomington
held their union concert last Friday
with decided success at the A. M. E.
church Solos were rendered by Misses
Vt-ela LaSuere, Rowena Watson and
Myrtle Anderson. Mi6s Alberta
Wyche rendered an linstrnmental se
lection.
Miss Blanche Hoagland and Mr.
and Mrs. Barton are visiting in
Springfield.
Pearl Robinson entertained a num
ber of iris friends '1 intraday witli a
party in honor of Miss Della Chavis
of Peoria.
Elder Geo! Hoagland will fill the
pulpit at Cobdin, 111., Sunday in
Elder John Jack’s place at the Chris
church.
Miss Clara Stevenson is improving
slowly with her foot. It is hoped
that she will soon entirely recover.
Oxford, Miss., News
Notes.
The people are earnestly re
quested to send their children to
school, most of the rural schools
have opened for 2 months, sum
mer term and they should not ai
low one day to pass.
The Negro business houses do
a good business. The people
are learning the value and neces
sity of race pride.
Rev. Lindsey is pastor of Sec
ond Baptist church, and Dr. N.
H- Williams of M. E. church.
Don’t let your church be trodden
under the mire because you have
a real or imaginary grievance
against your paster. Do your
duty to your church and pastor
and if it be the wiser thing, have
a change at the next conference
Our people need to be aroused
to the needs along educational
and pride lines- In business
they are doing well. W. R. Bow
les andJ. D. Collins, doing a flue
business. Some one can make
money by opening a Dry Goods
business. J. C. Sanders, Mrs.
Kate Barr, Ed Herd and Mrs.
Sykes are also doing good busi
ness, as is Mrs Ida Jones,
The Forum will be in charge,
~~e n p n xt • i
NV UUIO piUlVV j VI X. 1 VI X' « V> • IICII
son, parties wishing to subscribe
or publish any matter may see
Mr. Neilson.
MORTUARY
Mrs. Nancy Rogers, aged CO
years, a member of the M. E.
Church for 35 years, died July 18
acd was buried last week at St.
Peters cemetery, The funeral
was preached by Rev. Mr Wright
She leaves several brothers, one
sist«r, a husband, two daughters
and three sons and a host of rela
tives and friends who mourn
their loss,
The family of the deceased de
sire to return thanks for the
many kindnesses shown by their
white and colored friends who
acted 50 neighborly toward them
during illness and death and bu
rial of their mother and wife,
Mrs. Susan
Davis Honored.
The Juvenile Society Auxilary
to Household of Ruth No. 190,
gave a reception for their District
Directoress, Mrs. Susan Davis,
at their hall on N. 5th street. A
bouquet of beautiful flowers and
a silver pitcher was presented to
her, after which delicious refrsh
ments were served by the direc
tors: Mesdames Elizabeth Taylor
and Julia Oliver. Mrs. Davis has
just returned from the session of
the Knights and Daughters of
Tabor where she received the
office ol Vice-Grand Preceptress
for the state of Illinois.