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. When he falters, when he becomes derelict in regard to duty, there will be a perceptible dereliction among those whose cause he represents. Seven millions of American people are speaking through the negro Press, or are supposed to, at least. These journals have become a part of the race,—an inseparable part, and as such, we are accustomed to turn to them to plead our cause. This, too, is an invaluable achievement, well worth the money and time it has cost.
3d. The Press has not had the proper support on the part of the race. If it had been otherwise, the humblest journal among us, would have not less than ten thousand annual subscribers,—which is not the case. Leading journals, such as The Age, Gazette, Plaindealer, World, Planet, Sentinel, Conservator, Star of Zion, Louisiana Pelican, and others, would surely have not less than thirty thousand subscribers, with the bulk of negro advertisements and job printing, etc, etc. "Charity begins at home," is an old saying; but it is nevertheless true. The negro, like other people, must look out for No. 1. If he fails to do so, he is very likely not to succeed. This trite maxim may be studied with profit by all of us. If the negro could be led to see the force of it, and could be induced to act accordingly, we should very soon build up permanent enterprises of our own that would add materially to the solution of the so-called "Negro Problem." I attribute the cause of the apathy on the part of the negro, at this time, to the jealousy among the non-intelligent and to the ignorance of the masses. Time will evidently bring about a change, and the negro editor will doubtless see better days. Further, the editor himself is not always a representative man; a man in whom the people have
