Dodging the Issue.

Dodging the Issue.

A report on the 1887 National Colored Press Association held in Louisville, Kentucky published in the New York Age (August 20, 1887)

From Gale. 19th Century U.S. Newspapers. ©2008 Gale, a part of Cengage Learning, Inc. Reproduced by permission. www.cengage.com/permissions

New York Age

1887-08-20

Newspaper article

Dodging the Issue. The National Colored Press Association, in session at Louisville, Ky., last week approached the Afro-American League with the following ten-foot pole: : We deem it impracticable to attempt a national organization of colored people to work politically, but rather favor the commencement of local organizations adapted to the peculiar circumstances of places and people. We recommend the establishment of a National Bureau of Information to ascertain the extent and nature of lawlessness and mob violence against colored men and adopt means for the betterment of the present unfortunate state of affairs. That is to say, in one breath, "we advise the organization of a body but we are opposed to giving it a head" - a headless trunk, so to speak; - in another breath it is recommended a "National Bureau of Information." The first proposition is therefore contradicted by the second, for while the first discourages a national head the second recommends one! Why did not the Press Association take a square stand for a National League, and advise local organizations? That is what we proposed, and that is what the association has done, but in such a way as to make its endorsement and recommendation so contradictory as to be utterly useless, for any practical purpose.

Louisville

KY

USA

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1887.KY-08.09.LOUI