Hon. John A. Logan of Illinois; for Vice-President, Hon. John M. Langston. This ticket drew fire from the opponents of the two men named, from all over the country; but Mr. Waller gallantly supported these candidates, so eminent as statesmen, until the result of the Chicago Convention, in 1884, when he hoisted the names of Blaine and Logan.
It has been alleged that Mr. Waller's first venture in Afro-American journalism came out of the unlawful hanging of a colored man at Lawrence, Kansas. The man in question was one Peter Vinegar, who was suspected as being "particeps criminis" to a crime committed by two Afro-Americans, King and Robinson. Vinegar was out of the city when the crime was committed; therefore could have had nothing to do with it, but was hanged, nevertheless. Our subject was employed in the defence of Vinegar, which shortly resulted in the launching of The Western Recorder. It was called by many "the fearless and staunch friend of the Afro-American and the paralyzer of mob violence."
In February, 1888, Mr. Waller, in company with his cousin, Anthony Morton, established The American Citizen, at Topeka, Mr. Waller being editor and remaining at the head of the paper until July, 1888, at which time, he sold his interest to Mr. Morton. Those who read The Citizen during the canvass for the nomination of president, are familiar with the fact that Mr. Waller hoisted the name of John Sherman of Ohio, for the presidency, early in March, 1888, and kept it flying there until the nomination of Gen. Benjamin Harrison, when he substituted his name.
As a journalist, Mr. Waller is fearless, yet courteous, and earnest and decided. As a faithful exponent and defender of his race, the columns of the two papers to which he devoted so much time and hard labor, speak volumes, and clearly show the earnest and anxious solicitude with which the editor labored for the advancement of the people. His editorial,
